41-24485 Memphis Belle

Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number 41-24485) nicknamed "Memphis Belle". Passed for publication 10 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 June 10th. Flying Fortress Returns To U.S.A. After 25 Operations. June 1943. At an 8th Army Air Station somewhere in England, Lt.-Gen. Jacob L. Devers, and Major-General Ira. C. Eaker, bidded fare-well to the Flying Fortress "Memphis media-408067.jpg FRE 3499 Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number 41-24485) nicknamed "Memphis Belle". Passed for publication 10 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Not For Publication Before 00.30 June 10th. Flying Fortress Returns To U.S.A. After 25 Operations. June 1943. At an 8th Army Air Station somewhere in England, Lt.-Gen. Jacob L. Devers, and Major-General Ira. C. Eaker, bidded fare-well to the Flying Fortress "Memphis Belle" which is returning to the United States after completing 25 missions over enemy territory. The crew will instruct airmen back home, who will follow in their footsteps in the great Allied Air Offensives against the enemy. Picture shows - General Devers, addressing the crew before the departure.' On reverse: US Army Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamp]. Print No: 268679 Roger Freeman Collection

Associated Ira Eaker from the Roger Freeman Collection image caption

Object Number - FRE 3499 - Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers adresses a bomber crew of the 91st Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-A, serial number...

Assigned to the 324th Bomb Squadron/91st Bomb Group [DF-A], Bangor 31/8/42; Bassingbourn 26/10/42; one of first in group to complete 25 missions; Returned to the USA Columbia 25/6/43 for nationwide war bond tour; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Altus 1/8/45. Restored and was on display at Millington Apt., Mud Is. Memphis, Tn. for several years; to USAF Museum, Dayton, Oh, in 2005 for complete strip down and renovation, plus engines rebuild, set for static restoration.

The Memphis Belle was restored and put on display at National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Oh. on May 17, 2018.

MEMPHIS BELLE. (named by pilot Bob Morgan).

Connections

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

Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.

91st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Eugene Adkins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14041169
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Top turret guner / Engineer
media-31934.pdf (12.05 MB) Document 31934 LT KV Cashman 1943-44 LT. KV Cashman

From the personal Journal of LT KV Cashman.

Kay V Cashman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 483rd Bomb Group 816th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700700
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Leviticus Grandfield Dillon

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33090142
  • Highest Rank: Senior Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top turret / Engineer

Vincent Brooks Evans

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Joseph Michael Giambrone

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20308132
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew Chief

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date9 Jul 2023 19:46:09
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to Description. Changes to Media
Sources

Removed some Punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date19 Jan 2021 23:23:30
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to mission associations
Sources

Added connections to the 8th AF Bomber Command missions #58 & #59 on 17 May and 19 May 1943. The mission on the 17th is mission 25th for the crew and the one on the 19th is the 25th mission for the plane.

Date8 Sep 2020 18:42:42
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to mission associations
Sources

Added a connection to the mission to Brest, FR on 11/7/1942 per info in the book "Masters of the Air" by "Donald L. Miller".

Date19 Aug 2019 18:41:11
Contributorjmoore43
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Added info that the Belle was put on display 5/17/2018 to the Description secion. Source is the exihibit at the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Date4 Nov 2014 23:58:42
Contributorjmchristel
ChangesChanges to person associations
Sources

http://www.memphis-belle.com/belle_story.htm

Date28 Sep 2014 13:18:12
ContributorCarl
ChangesChanges to production block number, manufacturer, nicknames, markings, unit associations, person associations and place associations
Sources

US Air Force Museum factsheet about the 'Memphis Belle': http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6740

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:02
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

41-24485: Gallery (49 items)