Clarence Lewis Thacker
MilitaryRaised 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/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg.webp?itok=wOaBs-90)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force Twelfth Air Force Fifteenth 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 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

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-825072
- 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
Aircraft
- 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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-379128.jpg.webp?itok=I5mQ2ITc)
- 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

- 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

- 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.