Thomas Hurley Borders

Military
Film star turned Intellegence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.', '216129' [ Censor no] and 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT Associated Press photo shows: Gene Raymond ex-Hollywood film star now intelligence office in the U.S. Army Air Corps questions Sgt. Kent West of West Blocton, ALA. Rear Gunner who shot down a media-379316.jpg FRE 880 Film star turned Intelligence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen.
NOTE by L2M2: Pictured far left is then Captain William B. Musselwhite.

Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.', '216129' [ Censor no] and 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942' [stamp].
Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT Associated Press photo shows: Gene Raymond ex-Hollywood film star now intelligence office in the U.S. Army Air Corps questions Sgt. Kent West of West Blocton, ALA. Rear Gunner who shot down a Focke-Wulf 190 as the first All-American victim on the European front in this war. The pilot of West's plane was Lt. Tom Borders of Birmingham, ALA ( extreme right) AKP ROB 249457/8/9 i8842N.' Roger Freeman Collection

Added connection to Kent West

Object Number - FRE 880 - Film star turned Intelligence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen. NOTE by L2M2: Pictured...

Lt Thomas Borders graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa before enlisting in the Air Corps in July 1941. Assigned as a Pilot in the 97th Bomb Group/414th Bomb Squadron, he was sent overseas. He was Pilot of "Birmingham Blitzkrieg" on VIII Bomber Command's first Heavy Bomber raid to Rouen, France on 17 August 1942. Transferred to North Africa with the 97thBG, he was pilot of 41-24413, also named "Birmingham Blitzkrieg" when it was lost to Flak and exploded in mid-air on a mission to Biskra, Tunisia, 26 December 1942. Tom Borders and all nine other men on board were killed. To this day, all ten are still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16061399
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37102271
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12032320 at enlistment, then O-724178
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
Film star turned Intellegence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.', '216129' [ Censor no] and 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT Associated Press photo shows: Gene Raymond ex-Hollywood film star now intelligence office in the U.S. Army Air Corps questions Sgt. Kent West of West Blocton, ALA. Rear Gunner who shot down a
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34198623
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States 19 June 1917 the son of Robert Henderson Borders Sr and Susan Jane (Tatum) Borders

Enlisted

Montgomery, Alabama, United States 12 July 1941 as an Aviation Cadet in the Air Corps

Died

Tunisia, North Africa 26 December 1942 in the loss of B-17 41-24413
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States as a student at the University of Alabama

Other

Memorialized

North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial on the Tablets of the Missing

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Associated media and chose Key Image

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 16150
Research on crew of 41-24413
US Census 1940
NARA WWII Enlistment Records
WWII USAAF Casualties for Jefferson County, Alabama
ABMC website

Thomas Hurley Borders: Gallery (2 items)