Andrew Wilson Opsata
Military
Object Number - UPL 15379 - B-24D Liberator, 42-40776, named, Old Blister Butt, in the 8th AF, the 389th BG, and the 564th BS. Pilot Robert L. Wright and crew. Flew on 1st Aug...
Lt. Andrew Opsata was a B-24D Command pilot who flew the B-24D Liberator, 41-11817, Stinger, with his Copilot Lt. Louis Quaglino, and Bombardier Lt. Don Di Coscoe, on Operation Tidal Wave, assigned to the 389th Bomb Group, the 8th Air Force, temporarily detached to (TDY) to the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 514th Bombardment Squadron. He flew a total of 27 combat missions. On Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission to the Ploesti oil refineries, he bombed his target, returning safely to Libya with only one crew member, his gunner, SSgt John Gormey wounded by flak. WIA. 1 August, 1943.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force Twelfth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force Twelfth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35027471 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: B-24D Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35609749
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36030238
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Stinger
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Ole Irish
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Old Blister Butt - Widow
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron 406th Bomb Squadron 564th Bomb Squadron 566th Bomb Squadron 858th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group Carpetbaggers
Missions
- 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...
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Colgan, ND | 4 October 1919 | Son of Stephen Edward and Tillie A [Hamberg] Opsata. |
|
Other Survived Ploesti |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Pilot of B-24 Liberator 41-11817 'Stinger' participated in the 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid returning safely to Libya with only one crewmember WIA. |
|
Died |
Bellingham, WA | 17 June 2014 | |
|
Other Assigned |
Benghazi, Libya | Assigned to 415BS, 98 BG, 9AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Best Web - B-24 - 41-11817 - Stinger
Spelling. - Kickapoo
Best Web - B-24 - Stinger
Best Web - B-24 - 41-11817 - Stinger
Best Web - B-24 - 41-11817 - Stinger
Details added. - Kickapoo
Page 370 in the book 2ND AIR DIVISIONby Turner Publishing Company, 1998 edition (D790.A2S45);
http://www.lipper.cc/8th_AF/Chris/Chris_Chapt3.html
Flagged as a "Possible DUPLICATE" in the Nickname field so an Admin can check out this person.
https://www.fold3.com/image/32191616
https://www.fold3.com/image/27416291
https://www.fold3.com/image/649356529
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/andrew-opsata-obituary?pid=17140…
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/arlington-wa/andrew-opsata-6…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221856609/andrew-wilson-opsata
Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
Added connections to the 415 BS & 98 BG mentioned in the events section.
USAAF Photo.
