Armand Robert Massart

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Tech Sergeant Armand Massart was a radio operator (RO) assigned (TDY) to the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron for Operation Tidal Wave to Ploesti, Romania. He was one of the replacement crewmembers assigned to the B-24 41-11768, Kickapoo. The airplane crashed and burned shortly after take-off for the Ploesti mission after losing an engine just after getting airborne on takeoff and catching on fire. While turning back toward Lete Field to land, on final approach, the plane hit a concrete pole with it's left wing and crashed in a fireball of flames. TSgt. Massart was killed in action (KIA) in the crash. 1-Aug-43. 8 Killed in Action (KIA) - 2 (WIA) and returned to service (RTS) after long recoveries.



Awards: AM, PH, WWII Victory, American Campaign Medal, EAME (1 x battle Star).



Due to the abort after take-off and subsequent crash, Lt. Nespor's crew did not receive mission credit and their names do not appear in the official AAF History Roster of Personnel for DFCs.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron 567th Bomb Squadron 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18124310
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18051855 / O-435980
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16006213 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-519127
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18065717 / O-725567
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Kickapoo
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Tarentum, PA 5 June 1921 Son of Armand A and Marie A Massart.

Enlisted

Greensburg, PA 8 July 1942 Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Other

Killed in action (KIA)

Benghazi, Libya 1 August 1943 Crew member B-24 liberator 41-11768 'Kickapoo' of 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF. Crashed shortly after take-off for the August 1, 43 low-level Ploesti, Romania mission. She lost an engine just after getting airborne and then caught fire while banking back toward the field to land, then a wing touched the ground and she smashed into a concrete pole and burst into flames. KIA.

Buried

Fort Scott National Cemetery Fort Scott, Bourbon County KS 27 July 1948 Fort Scott National Cemetery Fort Scott, Bourbon County Kansas, USA.

Based

Assigned

Benina 1 August 1943 Assigned to 344BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

Corrected awards. Due to the abort after takeoff and subsequent crash, Lt. Nespor's crew did not receive mission credit and their names do not appear in the official AAF History Roster of Personnel for DFCs.

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Added details, changed wording. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday - Michael hill

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday - Michael Hill

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes