John Raymond Barcus

Military
media-50936.jpeg UPL 50936 John R. Barcus

This is a photo of John R. Barcus I obtained from his daughter.

Object Number - UPL 50936 - John R. Barcus

Assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group (the Flying 8 Balls), in the 8th Air Force, USAAF. Shot down over Foggia, Italy 16-Aug-43 in the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck.



Staff Sargent John Raymond Barcus was a waist gunner on the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck, assigned to the 66th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. He flew on the Ploesti mission as part of Lt. Felber's crew, on temporary deployment, TDY, to the 9th Air Force. SSgt. Barcus returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross medal for his participation in the mission.



Awards: DFC, AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 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'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (44th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: 17062705 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37038892 / O-740807
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Jenny - Lady Luck
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Myrtle The Fertile Turtle
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron 66th Bomb Squadron 67th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Saint Charles, IL, USA 15 March 1921 Son of Raymond Merle and Marjorie (McMasters) Barcus.

Enlisted

Chicago, IL 20 August 1942 Chicago, Illinois

Other

Tidal Wave survivor

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Flew on the Ploesti mission on the B-24D, 41-23778, Lady Luck, while TDY to the 9th AF. Returned safely to Libya. 1 Aug 43.

Died

Hines Va Hospital: Leehey David MD, 2100 S 5th Ave # 111L, Hines, IL 60141, USA 18 February 2006

Buried

North Cemetery, Saint Charles, Kane County, IL 21 February 2006 North Cemetery, Saint Charles, Kane County, Illinois, USA
West Chicago, IL, USA West Chicago, Illinois.

Based

Shipdham Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Hospitalised

Hospitalised, gasoline burns.

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 42-99967

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1, 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart

Date
Changes
Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ploesti' by Dugan & Stewart

John Raymond Barcus: Gallery (2 items)