John Gust Papadopulos

Military

Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. TDY 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) attack on Foggia airfields in B-24 41-23778 'Lady Luck'. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 2141/3150





Awards: AM, PH.

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
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95260) nicknamed "Lili Marlene" of the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group flies in formation with two comrades. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 H & B-24 J OF 44th B.G. 66th Sqdn'

66th Bomb Squadron

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

People

The crew of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23778) nicknamed "Jenny", of the 44th Bomb Group, return to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 29 January 1943. The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored. Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first r

Rocco Antonio Curelli

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11062939 / O-670981
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

41-23778

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Jenny - Lady Luck
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Salt Lake City, Utah 14 June 1916 Son of Gust John and Eugenie K [Collias] Papadopulos.

Enlisted

Sacramento, CA 29 March 1941 Sacramento, California

Died

Ruoti, Italy 16 August 1943

Buried

Mount Olivet Cemetery Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT 2 December 1949 Re-Interred Mount Olivet Cemetery Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah

Based

16 August 1943 Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162020/john-gust-papadopulos

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid readability.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/37110834
https://www.fold3.com/image/310763706
https://www.fold3.com/image/319417750
https://www.fold3.com/image/597422648
https://www.fold3.com/image/201525510
https://www.fold3.com/record/90735400/world-war-ii-army-enlistment-reco…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162020/john-gust-papadopulos

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3150