Richard H Lightfine

Military
Second Lieutenant Richard H. Lightfine of the 323rd Bomb Group with a "Trea" a dog mascot in the cockpit of a B-26 Marauder, 24 July 1943. Not To Be Published 24 Jul 1943, Passed for publication 10 Aug 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fastest Medium Bomber In Use Now Operating From This Country. One of the fastest and best-proteted medium bombers in use - fitted with two 2,000 h.p. engines and heavily-armoured - the B-26, known as the Marauder, is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo media-413302.jpg FRE 4623 Second Lieutenant Richard H. Lightfine of the 323rd Bomb Group with a "Trea" a dog mascot in the cockpit of a B-26 Marauder, 24 July 1943. Not To Be Published 24 Jul 1943, Passed for publication 10 Aug 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fastest Medium Bomber In Use Now Operating From This Country. One of the fastest and best-proteted medium bombers in use - fitted with two 2,000 h.p. engines and heavily-armoured - the B-26, known as the Marauder, is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo Shows:- 2nd Lieut. Richard H. Lightfine, of Garden City, Long Island, N.Y., with the Marauder pilots' mascot, "Trea", the Great Dane, who accompanies them on all practice missions. WOR 259105. 24-7-43-Y.' Censor no: 276117. On reverse: Ministry of Information, Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Associated image to Richard Lightfine's page.

Object Number - FRE 4623 - Second Lieutenant Richard H. Lightfine of the 323rd Bomb Group with a "Trea" a dog mascot in the cockpit of a B-26 Marauder, 24 July 1943. Not To Be...

From the Chicago Tribute obituary:

The B-26 Marauder he piloted was called the Flounder Gus, after his dog. On his 55th mission, it limped back on one engine to England. He flew 72 missions.



Richard served from 1985 to 1991 as mayor of Wayne, a community west of Chicago.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'

323rd Bomb Group

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

People

Lieutenant Richard H Lightning, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associate

Trea the Great Dane

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Mascot
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 454th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Flight Surgeon/Pet

Aircraft

Lieutenant Richard H Lightning, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associate

41-34913

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Flounder Gus
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 454th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

New York, NY, USA 7 November 1920

Enlisted

(Former) Mitchel Air Force Base, East Garden City, NY 11553, USA 17 January 1942

Other

Married Virginia Dickinson

Appleton, WI, USA 17 July 1954

Died

DuPage County, IL, USA 29 November 1996
DuPage County, IL, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorJMF
Changes
Sources

Moench - JMF

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Enlistment record: http://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&cat=all&tf=…

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Date of birth and death: http://www.mocavo.co.uk/Richard-Lightfine-1920-1996-Social-Security-Dea…

Chicago Tribune obituary: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-12-04/news/9612040239_1_mission…

Obituary for his wife Virginia: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kcchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=virginia-l…

Richard H Lightfine: Gallery (4 items)

Lieutenant Richard H Lightning, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associate

Object number: FRE 1197 - Lieutenant Richard H Lightfine, a pilot of the...

Second Lieutenant Richard H. Lightfine of the 323rd Bomb Group with a "Trea" a dog mascot in the cockpit of a B-26 Marauder, 24 July 1943. Not To Be Published 24 Jul 1943, Passed for publication 10 Aug 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fastest Medium Bomber In Use Now Operating From This Country. One of the fastest and best-proteted medium bombers in use - fitted with two 2,000 h.p. engines and heavily-armoured - the B-26, known as the Marauder, is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo

Object number: FRE 4623 - Second Lieutenant Richard H. Lightfine of the...

Object number: UPL 41380 - ________, Lt. Lightfine, Tre (Great Dane), _______...