UPL 13845
IMAGE
By downloading this image, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions
The B-24D, 41-23717, "Exterminator", of the 330th Bomb Squadron, the 93rd Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. This plane and crew were flying as element lead when it collided with another plane in its element ( 121-J ) after entering a cloud bank over Bulgaria. Both planes crashed in flames in the mountains. MACR 334 "Exterminator" Crew : Capt. Hugh R. Roper - Pilot (KIA) - Oak City, UT, Capt. John B. White, Jr - Navigator (KIA - Hillsboro, IL 1st Lt. Ted Brannon - Bombardier (KIA) - Coatesville, PA, T/Sgt. Henry C. Lloyd, Jr.- Radio Operator (KIA) - Flint, MI T/Sgt. Albert L. Lee - Tail Gunner T/Sgt. Joseph L. Craighead - Waist Gunner S/Sgt. Earl P Lemoine - Gunner (KIA) - Moreauville, LA S/Sgt. William A. Defreese - Waist Gunner (KIA) - Anniston, AL Walter Stewart was not on "Exterminator" when it crashed. He is my father, Col Robert W. Stewart's cousin. Walter flew the B-24D, "Utah Man", on the Ploesti mission. 1 Aug 1943. Stewart survived the mission and the war.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14055427
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
![A bomber crew of the 93rd Bomb Group don their flight gear before a mission, flying a B-24 Liberator (41-23717) nicknamed "Exterminator". 3 April 1943. Image via BL Davies Image stamped on reverse: 'passed for publication 20 Apr 1943[stamp] . 'Return to P.I.D'[stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'ETO HD 43 2859 Moore 8 Apr 43. The martian appearance of these clothes give these combat flyers an even grimmer appearance. Climbing into high altitude uniforms are the crew of a Liberator just about to leave its](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379218.jpg.webp?itok=OAq7eAUz)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Exterminator
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron 330th Bomb Squadron
Mission
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description: 177 B-24’s, of IX Bomber Command (including Heavy Bombers on loan from Eighth AF) are dispatched to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen being lost, but damage to the targets...
Revisions
Corrected identification of airmen using Fold3 annotations: https://www.fold3.com/image/48253723
Walter Stewart is my father's cousin. My source was him I knew him very well and talked with him many times. He made a documentary of his B24 called "Utah Man" which was the name of his plane. He was born 8 Nov 1917 and died 9 Jan 2016. My source is myself, him and familysearch.org website and his documentary which I have "Utah Man"