Clarence Lewis Thacker
Military
Back L-R: 1st Lt. Jack McCaine (MN), 2nd Lt. John Pylman (N), 2nd Lt. Donald Funk (P), Maj. Clarence Thacker (AC/CP), F/O Robert Ward (N).
Front L-R: 1st Lt. Lambert Muller-Thym (B), F/O William O’Leary (OBS/TG), TSgt. Roman Soto (RO), TSgt. Gordon Robb (TT). 384th Bomb Group collection
The Quentin Bland Collection. https://photos.384thbombgroup.com/picture.php?/35742/search/8882
Object Number - UPL 66544 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews/3 April 1945, Kiel (Dry Docks). Back L-R: 1st Lt. Jack McCaine (MN), 2nd Lt. John Pylman (N), 2nd Lt. Donald Funk (P),...
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
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: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- 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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg?itok=apGbR7Ih)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-776206
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-929523
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- 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

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

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

- Date: 17 August 1942
- Official Description:
Places

- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Revisions
Added some punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid readability.
Venit Hora: The Hour Has Come, Thomas F. Gulley, page 249;
http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonnelSearch.php?LastName=…
Added "Possible DUPLICATE" in the nickname field so an Admin can check out this person.
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.