Budd J Peaslee
Military
biography/newspapers
Object Number - UPL 5436 - Col. Budd Peaslee, Commanding Officer, Scouting Force (Experimental) with his P-51D Mustang 44-13283 YF/-A "Carolyn Ann" named for his daughter....
First Commanding Officer of 384th Bomb Group and instigator of the Scouting Force concept, to enable the bomber stream to change course in good time if target area was obscured.
Activated on 1st December 1942 in Idaho, the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was placed under the command of Col Budd J Peaslee. In May 1943 the 384th moved to Grafton Underwood Airfield in Northamptonshire, England, and Col Peaslee was the Commanding Officer until 1 October 1943.
Col Peaslee later became well-known for being the primary founder of The Scouting Force. Lockheed P-38s, P-51 Mustangs and Dehavilland Mosquitos were used to range ahead of a bomber strike and report back on target weather conditions. They were also used to check for Anti-Aircraft sites and Luftwaffe interceptor airfields and units. The first Scouting Force Mission flew on July 16th 1944.
The “triangle-P” insignia emblazoned on Grafton Underwood’s B-17 aircraft may have been chosen to honour Col. Budd Peaslee.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (384th Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-727080
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Group Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-346838
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group Headquarters (384th Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-572895
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Public Relations Officer
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: RAF Honington
![P-51 Mustangs of the 355th Fighter Group break formation, ready for landing, over the ground support vehicles and control tower of Steeple Morden Airfield. Image signed on reverse with the approval of station censor. Handwritten caption on reverse: '355 FG Steeple Morden, Control Tower, read crew + P41 [sic] group peeling off for landing.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377141.jpg.webp?itok=zxxvSLfB)
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born Transferred |
Santa Cruz, CA, USA | 26 May 1902 | |
|
Other Commissioned |
28 February 1927 | ||
|
Other Retired |
30 September 1953 | ||
|
Died |
Salinas, CA, USA | 3 April 1983 |
Revisions
http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/person.php?PersonKey=4490
Personal conversation with Budd J. Peaslee's son, Richard Peaslee, in October 2014.
www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org; websites of 384th Bombardment Group and Little Friends
BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF THE 8TH AIR FORCE 1942-1945
Personal research plus that of Ted Damick.
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=7d6KhVuE)
