44-6838 Spirit of Martinez, Cal's Rascals
Hutchinson & Cortright
Delivered Hunter 27/11/44; Grenier 16/12/44; Assigned 335BS/95BG [OE-E] Horham 1/1/45; battle damaged Chemnitz 6/2/45 with D.V. Tregoning, force landed B-53, Merville, Bel. then rep; 53m, Returned to the USA Bradley 21/6/45; Sth Plains 23/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 19/12/45. CAL'S RASCALS aka THE SPIRIT OF MARTINEZ.
The “Spirit of Martinez” “our very own Flying Fortress Bomber” piloted mostly by Martinez native Lt. Frank Calicura of the 8th Air Force, 95th BG in Europe. The citizens of Martinez raised $800,000 in war bonds so Frank was granted permission to name a plane after his home town. The crew flew 28 bombing missions over Germany and 3 food supply drops over Holland.
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38563937
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Togglier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Air Division 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Places
Missions
- Date: 1 May 1945
- Official Description:
- Date: 20 April 1945
- Date: 17 April 1945
- Date: 16 April 1945
- Date: 15 April 1945