Wilson P Besse

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Staff Sergeant William Besse was Killed in Action (KIA). 16 Sep 1943. He joined his squadron on 10 July 1943. DS/Bengahzi via ATC 14 July 1943. Returned to base 14 September 1943. DS/Tunis 16 September 1943. Returned to base via ATC 4 October 1943. December 16, 1943 12/16/crashed on coast on return in the B-24D, 41-23788, Avenger. Killed in Action (KIA). Pilot: Jones. (Roll of Honor lists 16 December 1944. )

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

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

16 December 1943

Born

Louisiana

Buried

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Added details. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Webb Todd, Roll of Honor, Combat Sup