Valentine C Opalka

Military
media-22998.jpeg UPL 22998 Crew 659
Charles Woodbury Crew
466th BG - 786th BS
Standing L-R: Charles Woodbury (pilot), Tom Mooney (co-pilot), Hubert Sullins (navigator), Roy Smith (Bombardier)
Kneeling L-R: George Forecki (engineer), Paul Hardesty (gunner), Newell Sherwood (gunner), Norm Townsend (gunner), Vester England (radio), Val O'Palka (gunner)

This crew safely completed a 35 mission tour: 6 September 1944 - 24 March 1945 466th Bomb Group collection

466th BG Archives

Object Number - UPL 22998 - Crew 659 Charles Woodbury Crew 466th BG - 786th BS Standing L-R: Charles Woodbury (pilot), Tom Mooney (co-pilot), Hubert Sullins (navigator), Roy...

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'

466th Bomb Group

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

People

Charles M Woodbury

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-50585

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Small Change
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95067) nicknamed "Trouble Maker" of the 466th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '466 BG, Trouble Maker, 42-95067 D 27, 110 Msns. 787th A936E.'

42-95067

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Troublemaker
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron

44-10580

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Attlebridge

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

New Jersey, USA 20 February 1916

Enlisted

Newark, NJ, USA 21 June 1943

Other

466th BG Combat Tour

Attlebridge, Norwich NR9, UK 6 September 1944 - 24 March 1945 Completed a 35 mission tour

Died

Garfield, NJ 07026, USA 11 November 1998

Buried

Clifton, NJ, USA 14 November 1998 East Ridgelawn Cemetery Clifton Passaic County New Jersey, USA
Passaic County, NJ, USA

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

http://www.sortedbyname.com/pages/o102424.html
http://www.ww2enlistment.org/index.php?page=directory&rec=3318784
466th BG Archives - Attlebridge Notes 1975 Roster - Compiled by John Woolnough

Valentine C Opalka: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 22998 - Crew 659 Charles Woodbury Crew 466th BG - 786th BS...