Clarence Lewis Thacker

Military

Raised in Kissimmee Florida, Parents Omer S. Thacker and Jesse Wilder, Both Attorneys in Kissimmee Fl.

Clarence Thacker Flew "Kissy-Me-Cowboy" #41-24473 originally named the "Exterminator" but he renamed when it was transferred to the 97th BG/414th SQ/ 1942.

He was the pilot of 41-9103, one of 12 B-17s which flew on Mission #1, 17 August 1942 to Rouen, France from Grafton Underwood, UK.

He was promoted to Commander and transferred to the 384th BG/547th Unit, 41st Wing, Group C and B. He flew B-17's such as "Bat out of Hell", among many others. He also Flew B-17 'Dixie Demo' with 97th BG in the 8th Air Force.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.

384th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im

97th Bomb Group

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

People

William T Abare

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-776206
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Edward W Abbott

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-692625
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot/Pilot
This photo shows the crew with their B-17E Hangar Queen (41-9021) prior to August 17, 1942. This crew and plane were initially assigned to the 414th BS (97th BG).

James M Abbott

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron

William H Abbott

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-825072
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Charles R Abbott

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-929523
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

41-24473

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kissy-Me-Cowboy
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
A formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group fly B-17 (serial number 41-9103) nicknamed "Dixie Demo", at Bassingbourn following a raid on Antwerp, 6 April 1943. A censor has obscured a hanger in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and Passed U.S Army 6 APR 1943 Press Censor No 21 E.T.O U.S.A.' [stamp]. 'Passed for publication 6 APR 1943 INTLD 29 Central Section Press Censorship Bureau' [stamp]. 'Copyright Planet News ?, Johnson's Court, London E.C.4' [stamp].'256834'[Censor

41-9103

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Dixie Demo
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron

Missions

A bomber crew of the 97th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. They are from left to right: Lieutenant Frank R. Beadle, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Sergeant Chester Love, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Sergeant Richard Williams, of Utica, New York; Lieutenant Levon Ray, of Poolville Texas; Glen V. Leland, of St. Petersburg, Florida; Sergeant Frank Rebello, Tiverton, Rhode Island; Sergeant Joseph Cummings, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; and Sergeant Zane Gemmill, of St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Image stamped on reverse: 'Pas

VIII Bomber Command 1

  • Date: 17 August 1942
  • Official Description: 12 B-17’s of 97th Bomb Group, escorted by Spitfires, launch first Army Air Force Heavy Bomber attack from UK against Western Europe. Target is Rouen-Sotteville Marshalling Yard. Sergeant Kent R West shoots down German fighter, thus becoming the first...

Places

Revisions

Date30 Dec 2021 20:54:56
Contributorjmoore43
Sources

Added some punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid readability.

Date5 Apr 2020 10:42:43
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Sources

Venit Hora: The Hour Has Come, Thomas F. Gulley, page 249;
http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonnelSearch.php?LastName=…

Date2 Apr 2020 19:35:05
Contributorjmoore43
Sources

Added "Possible DUPLICATE" in the nickname field so an Admin can check out this person.

Date24 Feb 2020 19:02:56
Contributor[email protected]
Sources

Sortie Reports, Newspaper clippings, Family history, online history data base, 97th BG Rudolf Flack FB Page, Book- 97th BG-Venit Hora-The Hour Has Come. many other sites.