Pilot Lt. Samuel Neeley was a B-24D Bomber pilot in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in WWII. He served in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron in North Africa, flying, bombing, and strafing missions, mostly against the German army in the North African desert, and also against Axis ports and shipping all over the Mediterranean area.

Sam Neeley was killed, (KIA), flying his B-24D, Liberator bomber, he named, Raunchy, on Operation Tidal Wave, the large bombing mission to destroy the German held oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania.

Neeley and his crew flew in Flight 1, the first line abreast wave of the 98th Bomb Group's bombers, just a few planes to the left of his friend, Lt. John Young, flying copilot on the mission in John Kane's lead aircraft, Hail Columbia, attacking their target, White IV, flying in at tree top level on the far left side of Flight One, the first wave of the 98th Bomb Group's planes. Immediately after his bomb release, as Neeley's B-24, Raunchy, began taking flak hits, his right wing snagged a barrage balloon cable, which didn't break the cable, but pulled an explosive charge down to his airplane that detonated and blew the wing off, sending the bomber crashing down to the ground, killing Lt. Neeley and most of his crew, instantly. The radio operator and a gunner survived the crash and became POWs in Romania. Most of the crew members' remains were not recovered or identified because of the explosion and extensive fire of the crash. 8 KIA - 2 POW. 1 Aug 1943. MACR 169

For his part in the Ploesti mission and for his sacrifice, Lt. Neeley was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart medal.

1st Lt. Robert Samuel Neeley
BIRTH : 1921
Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, USA
DEATH : 1 Aug 1943 - Age : 21–22
Ploesti, Prahova, Romania
BURIAL :
Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial
Neuville En Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium
PLOT : Plot A - Row 39 - Grave 43
MEMORIAL ID : 56360023

Command Pilot 1st Lt. Samuel R. Neeley - DFC - PH - KIA
Hometown : Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Squadron : 344th Bomb Squadron - 98th Bomb Group - 9th Air Force
Service : O-728710
Awards : Distinguished Flying Cross, - Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters - Purple Heart -

Target : Ploesti - White IV - The Astra Romano Refinery complex
Missing Air Crew Report Details :
USAAF MACR 169
Date Lost : 1 Aug 43
Aircraft Serial Number : 41-11819
Aircraft Model : B-24D
Aircraft Letter : G
Aircraft Name : Raunchy
Location : Lost near target, the Astra Romano Refinery complex, Ploesti, Romania
Cause : Barrage balloon cable charge. 8 KIA. 2 POW.
Raunchy - B-24 - D - CO - 41-11819. 9th Bomb Group - 98th Bomb Group - 344th Bomb Squadron ~ RCL - G - 01 1. Lost on Operation Tidal Wave. 1 Aug 43. Ploesti, Romania. MACR 169

Raunchy’s Crew on Tidal Wave : 
1st Lt. Samuel R. Neeley - Pilot
1st Lt. Joel I. Corn - Navigator
2nd Lt.Herman H. Henslee - Co Pilot
2nd Lt. Eugeen L. Rodgen - Bombardier
Sgt. Robert P. Schultz
Sgt.Charles P. Geers - Gunner
Sgt. Earl T. Edelen - Gunner
Sgt. Alfred D. Cason - Gunner