Rocco Antonio Curelli

Military
The crew of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23778) nicknamed "Jenny", of the 44th Bomb Group, return to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 29 January 1943. 

The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored. 

Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first r media-379072.jpg FRE 636 The crew of the B-24D Liberator, serial number 41-23778, named, Jenny, in the 44th Bomb Group, returns to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 27 January 1943.

The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored.

Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp].

Printed caption on reverse : 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first raid on Germany on Wednesday last. O.PS. The crew of the Liberator, Jenny, leaving after the U.S. raid on Germany. (Barratt's. 29/1/43).' Roger Freeman Collection

FindAGrave Memorial - Gola G Gibby

Object Number - FRE 636 - The crew of the B-24D Liberator, serial number 41-23778, named, Jenny, in the 44th Bomb Group, returns to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 27...

Pilot 2ndLt. Rocco A. Curelli - KIA - Foggia, Italy

Hometown: Massachusetts

Squadron: 66th Bomb Squadron - 44th Bomb Group - 8th Air force

Service No. O-670981

Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross - Purple Heart

Lt. Rocco Antonio Curelli was assigned to the 8th Air Force, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 66th Bomb Squadron.



Lt. Curelli was killed flying his B-24D, Lady Luck, on a bombing attack on the Foggia airfields in Italy under temporarily deployment, TDY to the 9th Air Force. - SSgt. Harper Zoller was a gunner (KIA) on the Rocco Curelli crew, 66th Bomb Squadron. The plane was attacked by German fighters. It was hit by cannon fire, caught on fire, and exploded. The Radio Operator, SSgt. Wesley Zimmerman, was blown out of the airplane by the explosion. He was captured, escaped, and returned to Shipdham, U.K. All the others were killed in action (KIA) in the crash. This was the crew’s second mission. The MACR states - "Witnesses from a local village confirmed that the pilot, Lt. Rocco Curelli, was alive prior to Fallschirmjager's arrival. Shots were heard, after which he was seen dead, shot in the neck." - Killed in action in the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck. 16 Aug 1943. 1 POW - 9 KIA - RTD. MACR 2141 - 3150



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
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95260) nicknamed "Lili Marlene" of the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group flies in formation with two comrades. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 H & B-24 J OF 44th B.G. 66th Sqdn'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31157299
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36241507
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer
Corporal John R. Hughes, of the 303rd Bomb Group, cleans his boots. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245686.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ''Cleaning the English mud from his boots is Cpl. John R. Hughes, of 101, West 91 St. N.Y.C. Aged 22, he formerly worked in his father's business at 752 Broadway, N.Y.C. His parents, Mr and Mrs. Hughes, live at W. 91 Street. Cpl Hughes was educated at Commerce Hig
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32468888
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39078859 / O-743260
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-797402
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Jenny - Lady Luck
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Berka, al Birkah

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Boston, MA 8 May 1919 Son of Biagio and Fausta Curelli. Brother to Rudolph, Ubaldo and Gloria.

Enlisted

Boston, MA 19 March 1942 Boston, Massachusetts

Died

Ruoti, Italy 16 August 1943 Shot down and killed in action (KIA)in the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck, on a mission over Foggia, Italy. 16 Aug 1943. MACR 2141-3150

Buried

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial Re-Interred Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial Nettuno, Italy Plot J Row 5 Grave 63

Based

16 August 1943 Assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. USAAF.
Biddeford, MN Biddeford, Minneapolis

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-23778 - Lady Luck - Jenny

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 41-23778 - Lady Luck - ( formerly Jenny )

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorKickapoo
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FindAGrave.com - Memorial 56307879 - Rocco Antonio Curelli

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56307879/rocco-antonio-curelli
Removed # from A/C serial No. to aid clarity and consistency

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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FindAGrave - Lt. Rocco A. Curelli

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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44th Bomb Group's Association

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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MACR 2141/3150

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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MACR 2141/3150

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

44th BG Roll of Honor/MACR3150; 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, pg 21 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Rocco Antonio Curelli: Gallery (3 items)