Arthur P Childs

Military
media-7015.jpeg UPL 7015 SSGT Arthur Childs
Tail Gunner
Crew #715/443
466th BG

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 7015 - SSGT Arthur Childs Tail Gunner Crew #715/443 466th BG

Flew 30 missions with pilot John Woolnough.



DFC

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'

466th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

John H Woolnough

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Missions

676

  • Date: 14 October 1944

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Attlebridge

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Tampa, FL, USA 15 June 1919

Died

Portland, ME, USA 31 May 2006 PORTLAND -- Arthur P. Childs Jr., a life-long resident of Maine, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2006. Arthur was born on June 15, 1919 in Tampa, Fla., to Arthur P. Sr. and Grace Davis Childs. He attended Portland High School, graduating at the age of 15. During World War II, Arthur served in the 8th Air Force in England. He was a tail-gunner on a B-24, completing 30 missions over France and Germany, including several missions leading up to and during the D-Day invasion. For his service, Arthur was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Arthur worked at Day's Jewelry Stores in sales and as general manager for over 50 years. Upon his retirement from Day's, he went to work for Springer's Jewelers until his retirement in 2000. Shortly after returning from the Army Air Corp, Arthur began courting Dorinne Butler. The couple were married on September 1, 1947. The couple spent their life together in Maine and had two daughters, Cheryl and Candice. Arthur, Dorinne, Cheryl and Candice loved their many vacations together. However, in later years Arthur and Dorinne, preferred their annual vacations to Las Vegas. Arthur's passing was preceded by his wife of 55 years, Dorinne, in 2002; and his granddaughter, Cara Hutchins in 1982. He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Hutchins of Portland, and Candice Bower of Philomont, Va., Candice's' husband, Joe Bower; three granddaughters, Jennifer Hutchins and her fiancŽe, Joe Baillargeon of Windham, Heather Coppo and her husband, Dominic of Ashburn, Va.; and Kimberly Sanders of Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Buried/ Commemorated

Portland, ME, USA 20 June 2006 Evergreen Cemetery Portland Cumberland County Maine, USA Plot: Sec-MG Lot-354 Grv-1a

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom and Brassfield, page 344

Arthur P Childs: Gallery (2 items)

Object number: UPL 6400 - Crew #715 & #443 John C. Woolnough Crew 466th BG -...

Object number: UPL 7015 - SSGT Arthur Childs Tail Gunner Crew #715/443 466th...