Joe Eubanks McCrary

Military

Shot down on mission to Frankfurt on 29 January 1944 in B-24H #42-7484 "Sally Ann". Evaded (EVD). After landing near Nivelles, Belgium, he was helped by Belgian citizens and members of the Résistance. Hidden the last weeks in Wavre, Belgium, he was liberated there by US troops on 5-6 September 1944. Was returned to the UK by air on 9 September 1944. Escape & Evasion Report E&E 1889. See the story of his evasion at http://www.evasioncomete.be/fmccrarje.html

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.

392nd Bomb Group

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

People

Marshall Combs Crouch

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20939620 at enlistment, then O-744050
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

James Reid Dykes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34445240
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner

Lester E Gentry

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18086645 at enlistment, then O-678355
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Ronald Robert Lindlow

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39004811 at enlistment, then O-683192
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

William Reinhold Mattson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11088221
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner/Flight Engineer

Aircraft

42-7484

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Sally Ann
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 578th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States 21 April 1917

Enlisted

30 July 1942 Camp Shelby, Mississippi

Other

Bailed out

29 January 1944 of B-24 #7484 over Belgium

Other

Evaded capture

29 January 1944 - 7 September 1944 with the help of Belgian citizens and members of the Résistance. Back in England on 9 September 1944.

Died

19 February 1983 Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus, Mississippi

Buried

Joe McCrary rests at the Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Updated website address in Bio

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 1889
Research for his page at www.evasioncomete.org (Comète archives)

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 2548

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2548, 8th Af Losses