Clarence Raymond Stephenson Jr
Military
Object Number - UPL 32822 - 2nd Lt Clarence R Stephenson during pilot training. later promoted 1st Lt with 652BS, 25BG, 8AF.
Assigned to 652BS, 25BG, 8AF USAAF. On 9-May-44 the mission to the Azores was routine until the last leg. We were out from Land's End when all hell broke loose. There was a terrible metal ripping sound and some explosions. Bullets and 20mm shells ripped into the rear fuselage wounding 2 crew. Crew fought off 4 x Ju88's, downing one and forcing a second to trail off homewards with smoke from one engine. RAF spitfire escort, responding to the ships mayday, pointed out the damaged undercarriage, whilst the two failed engines also became apparent. Clary Stephenson bellied landed Lands End. 3 x WIA, 5 x RTD. Crashed on take off for weather recon to Azores 6-Jun-44 Killed in Action (KIA).
Awards: DFC, AM (5OLC), PH (OLC).
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: Reconnaissance
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 25th Bomb Group 652nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36421569
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 25th Bomb Group 652nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12199455
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 25th Bomb Group 652nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31274923
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 25th Bomb Group 652nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16079822 / O-703665
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 25th Bomb Group 652nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32451265 / O-814604
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 25th Bomb Group 652nd Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Ohio, USA | 8 November 1921 | Son of Clarence Raymond Stephenson Sr. |
|
Enlisted |
875, 7370 Minuteman Way, Lockbourne, OH 43137, USA | 11 February 1942 | Lockbourne AAB Columbus, OH |
|
Buried |
7 June 1944 | Interred Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial | |
|
Died |
Watton, Thetford IP25, UK | 6 September 1944 | Crashed on take off for weather recon to Azores 6-Jun-44 Killed in Action (KIA). |
|
Based |
Watton | 6 September 1944 | Assigned to 652BS, 25BG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Buried |
824 Lorain St, Ironton, OH 45638, USA | Re-Interred Woodland Cemetery Ironton, Lawrence County, OH | |
|
Other Pilot training |
Mitchell Field, Garden City, NY 11530, USA | Basic Flight training - Mitchell Field, Long Island, NY | |
|
Other Pilot training |
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA | Advanced Flight training - Patterson Field, OH |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/319774687?terms=Clarence%20R%20Stephenson
https://www.fold3.com/record/84199790-clarence-r-stephenson-jr
She Called Him Raymond: A True Story of Love, Loss, Faith and Healing By Ray O'Conor
https://rafwatton.info/she-called-him-raymond-a-true-story-of-love-loss…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154969542/clarence-raymond-stephens…
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The 25th BG (Rcn) by Normsn Malaney; Aerial Intelligence of the 8th Air Force, pg 38-39
