William G Morton

Military
media-56726.png UPL 56726 B-24D 41-24225 "Flak Alley" in England, 1944. Crew, top row, L to R: George Helpiau, Bombardier, Robert C. Peterson, Navigator, Hollis R. Nichols, Co-Pilot, Robert J. Lehnhausen, Pilot. Kneeling, L to R: Douglas H. Ratledge, Assistant Engineer , William G. Morton, Engineer, Michael J. Balazovich, Assistant Radio Operator, Thomas A. Laskowski, Radio Operator, Charles M. Ross, Tail Gunner.

From 44th Bomb Group Association Journal, "8 Balls" Volume 9 Issue 1 Winter 2009

Object Number - UPL 56726 - B-24D 41-24225 "Flak Alley" in England, 1944. Crew, top row, L to R: George Helpiau, Bombardier, Robert C. Peterson, Navigator, Hollis R. Nichols,...

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23788.



Flew on 1 Oct 43 mission to Wiener Neustadt for which he was awarded the DFC.



Joined Sqd 3/16/43.

DS/Bengahzi 6/26/43.

Returned to base 8/26/43.

DS/Tunis 9/19/43.

Returned to base 10/12/43.

Completed tour 2/27/44.

Received Field Commission 11/23/44.

DS/Inst. School 4/23/44. Pilot:Lehnhausen, R.







Distinguished Flying Cross



Fw 190 destroyed 8/1/43, Me 109 destroyed 8/16/43, Me 109 (2) destroyed 8/21/43, Me 109 destroyed 10/1/43

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.

68th Bomb Squadron

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

Aircraft

First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson of the 44th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23788) with the aircraft's dog mascot: Pilot-Officer "Rusty". A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: '44BG B-24 Liberator Avenger showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many mi

41-23788

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Avenger
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Ploesti Sortie Reports, 44th Bomb Group

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Webb Todd; 8 Ball Tails, Vol. 13, No. 5, pg 24

William G Morton: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 56726 - B-24D 41-24225 "Flak Alley" in England, 1944. Crew...