41-23776 Spirit of 76

On 27-Jan-43 B-24D 41-23776 "Spirit of 76" was on a mission to bomb the naval installation at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The pilot was unable to located the target due to weather and navigation problems. The aircraft was attacked by fighters and shot down. Aircraft crashed on the beach at Terschelling, Holland. 9KIA 1POW MACR 15459.



P 1Lt Maxwell W. Sullivan, JR. (KIA); CP 2Lt Duane E. Nelson (KIA)

N 1Lt Raymond C. Lunenfeld (KIA); B 2Lt Albert W. Glass (POW)

E/TTG SSgt Frederick W. Clark (KIA); RO MSgt Benjamin F. Duke (KIA)

AR SSgt Harry L. Ottman (KIA); LWG Sgt Thomas W. Cook, Jr. (KIA)

RWG SSgt Glen C. Pierson (KIA); TG SSgt Philip J. Bloomfield (KIA)

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12067159
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11033143
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13040353
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6376260
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727333
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Terschelling, Netherlands 27 January 1943 Shot down by enemy aircraft and crashed at Terschelling, Holland.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 24-Jan-2014. Added markings per "The Mighty Eighth Warpaint & Heraldry" Roger A. Freeman; Added FTR event and added crew position, rank, full proper name and disposition per MACR 15459; crafted Description and added nickname per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; formatted crew display.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 15459 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database