42-78503 | American Air Museum

42-78503 Jodey

media-24171.jpeg UPL 24171 B-24J-1-NT #42-78503 "Jodey" Code:
454th Bomb Group - 736th Bomb Squadron - 15th AF
Shot down 16 February 1944 with Bruce Rabun Crew

Bruce Rabun Crew was lost 16 Feb 44 in 42-52261 - MACR 2488. First deliveries of J-NT's was approx. May 44.
42-78503 has soft (unconfirmed) connection to 449th BG, 719th BS, listed as ex 454/736 and arriving in 449th in February '45.
466th Bomb Group collection

Missing Aircrew Report 2488, "Maximum Effort: A History Of The 449th Bomb Group"

Object Number - UPL 24171 - B-24J-1-NT #42-78503 "Jodey" Code: 454th Bomb Group - 736th Bomb Squadron - 15th AF Shot down 16 February 1944 with Bruce Rabun Crew Bruce...

Connections

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Units served with

454th Bomb Group

Unit Hierarchy: Group
Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

736th Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

Places

San Giovanni

Site type: Airfield

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Other Shot Down	57023 Cecina, Province of Livorno, Italy	16 February 1944	B-24H Liberator #42-52261, nicknamed "Jodey," 736th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, was hit by bombs from an above B-24, west of Massa Marittima, Italy, while on a mission to Cecina. The aircraft exploded in mid-air. All eleven crew aboard were killed: 2nd Lt. Bruce B. Rabun, O-667552, GA, Pilot Flt. Off. Robert W. Eveland, T-122544, OH, Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Harry W. Gay, O-811619, DC, Navigator 2nd Lt. Ralph S. Crawford, O-751637, NC, Bombardier S/Sgt. James S. Simpson, 31097545, MA, Flight Engineer Sgt. Elbert H. Andrews, 39037200, CA, Ball Turret Gunner S/Sgt. Thomas R. Gandy, 38214813, TX, Radio Operator Sgt. Joseph F. Hanke Jr, T13081773, MO, Waist Gunner Sgt. Charles F. Malitz Jr, 18157990, TX, Waist Gunner Sgt. Philip C. McQuown, 13116411, PA, Tail Gunner Sgt. Victor S. Runyan, 16086558, MI, Nose Turret Gunner

Event

Location

Date

Description

Other

Shot Down

57023 Cecina, Province of Livorno, Italy

16 February 1944

B-24H Liberator #42-52261, nicknamed "Jodey," 736th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, was hit by bombs from an above B-24, west of Massa Marittima, Italy, while on a mission to Cecina. The aircraft exploded in mid-air. All eleven crew aboard were killed: 2nd Lt. Bruce B. Rabun, O-667552, GA, Pilot Flt. Off. Robert W. Eveland, T-122544, OH, Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Harry W. Gay, O-811619, DC, Navigator 2nd Lt. Ralph S. Crawford, O-751637, NC, Bombardier S/Sgt. James S. Simpson, 31097545, MA, Flight Engineer Sgt. Elbert H. Andrews, 39037200, CA, Ball Turret Gunner S/Sgt. Thomas R. Gandy, 38214813, TX, Radio Operator Sgt. Joseph F. Hanke Jr, T13081773, MO, Waist Gunner Sgt. Charles F. Malitz Jr, 18157990, TX, Waist Gunner Sgt. Philip C. McQuown, 13116411, PA, Tail Gunner Sgt. Victor S. Runyan, 16086558, MI, Nose Turret Gunner

Revisions

Date16 Aug 2023 16:37:02

ContributorLeah Hanke

ChangesChanges to Aircraft Events

Sources

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/276001

Date7 Nov 2016 01:12:58

Contributor466thHistorian

ChangesCreated entry with serial number, aircraft type, production block number, manufacturer, nicknames, events, unit associations, place associations and media associations

Sources

http://www.454thbombgroup.it/TOTAL%20LIST%20DEF1.htm

42-78503: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 24171 -