Luther Joe Abel
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Object Number - UPL 22308 - Lt. Luther J Abel, [Gladwater, TX]. 84th Fighter Squadron. P-47D 42-75684 WZ-H "Mickey II".
Assigned to 84FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 552FTS, 495FTG 8AF USAAF as instructor. P-47C 41-6234 lost engine on local training flight on 9 Jan 1944. A/C broke out of undercast too low and crashed into a plowed field near Loughborough, Leicestershire. Returned to Duty [RTD]. He was badly injured in P-38J 42-67490W "Lightning" in a belly landing accident at Atcham, Shropshire 18-Aug-44 and died from his injuries/complications Died Non Battle DNB 22-Sep-44.
Awards: DFC (2 OLC), AM (2 OLC), PH.
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: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Thumbs Up Doc Sugar Baby
- Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 552nd Fighter Training Squadron 62nd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit: 20th Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 496th Fighter Training Group 552nd Fighter Squadron 554th Fighter Training Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Mickey II
- Unit: 366th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
Missions
- Date: 6 June 1944
- Date: 6 June 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Gregg County, TX, USA | 7 December 1921 | Son of Luther and Joe Ann [Wood] Abel. |
|
Enlisted |
Houston, TX, USA | 5 May 1942 | Houston, Texas |
|
Other Crashed |
Loughborough, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK | 9 January 1944 | P-47C 41-6234 lost engine on local training flight on 9-Jan-44. A/C broke out of undercast too low and crashed into a plowed field near Loughborough, Leicestershire. RTD. |
|
Other Promoted |
Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK | 20 January 1944 | Promoted to 1st Lieutenant. |
|
Other Transferred |
Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK | 7 August 1944 | Transferred to 552FTS, 495FTG 8AF USAAF as instructor. |
|
Other Crashed |
Wroxeter, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5, UK | 18 August 1944 | Crashed Belly Landing due to Engine Failure Wroxeter Cat 5 damage, pilot Lt Luther J Abel, 18-Aug-44. P-38J 42-67490W - 552FTS 495FTG 8AF. |
|
Died Transferred |
Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK | 22 September 1944 | Badly injured in P-38J 42-67490W "Lightning" in a belly landing accident at Atcham, Shropshire 18-Aug-44 and died from his injuries/complications Died Non Battle DNB 22-Sep-44. |
|
Buried |
23 September 1944 | Cambridge American Cemetery Coton, Cambs, UK Plot F, Row 6, Grave 22 | |
| Gladewater, TX 75647, USA | |||
|
Other Assigned |
Duxford, UK | 7 August 1944 | Assigned to 84FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Peter Randall - 78th FG D-Day List;
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- 8th AF Losses
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia