Richard D Butler

Military

Joined the service in Jan. 1942 and was posted to the 44th BG with whom he flew throughout the war. First combat mission was in April 1943 and he saw action in Europe, No. Africa and the Mediterranean.



Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-24235. On the Ploesti Raid, Dick was co-pilot of 'Earthquake McGoon'. Badly damaged and flying at tree-top height it was only the skill of Dick and pilot Walter Burke that kept Earthquake in the air and brought the crew home.



Probably the Richard Butler mentioned by Lundy on p. 133 for October 1, 1943, raid on Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Lt. Butler crash-landed near Catania (Allied territory) in 'Miss Emmy Lou' 42-72860 with no serious injuries to his crew.



21 December 1943 in B-24 42-72878 'Miss Emmy Lou II' while on a combat training mission, all 4 engines cut out. Made a forced landing at Richard's Farm, Bradenham. Butler suffered major injuries. 12 RTD.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The 'semiofficial' insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Earthquake McGoon
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Miss Emmy Lou II
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

San Diego, California

Revisions

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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Membership List, July 2000, 44th BG Roll of Honor and Casualties by Will Lundy p. 133 & p222 in the book SECOND AIR DIVISION edited by Randy Baumgardner, D790.A2S45, Losses of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces Vol. I, pp. 431-2 / http://8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/perlastname.asp