Leo Dale Rush Jr

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-34935.jpeg UPL 34935 1st Lt. Leo Dale Rush, Jr. taken between December 1943 and May 20, 1944 in Quarters Area No. 13, Earls Colne Airfield Leo Dale Rush collection

JMF with permission of Larry Dale Rush

Object Number - UPL 34935 - 1st Lt. Leo Dale Rush, Jr. taken between December 1943 and May 20, 1944 in Quarters Area No. 13, Earls Colne Airfield

Dale Rush served with the 456th BS as a bombardier. He was killed on May 20, 1944 on a mission to Dieppe when "Ole 33 Gal" WT-A Serial No. 41-35033, flying in the Box II, Flight 3 lead position, took a direct hit of heavy flak that shattered the Plexiglas nose of the aircraft (where he was situated as bombardier). The aircraft, piloted by Capt. Paul Ward with Lt. Briggs navigating made it back to base for an emergency landing.



Mission Reports indicate that the flak barrage only lasted 45 seconds. In that span, the 323rd met with disaster. The Tail Gunner on another 456th Bomb Squadron Marauder was seriously injured and died shortly after the crew made an emergency landing at Earls Colne. Two 323rd Marauder aircraft were shot down over the target at Dieppe, with numerous combat crew members listed as Missing in Action.



Dale has been described by his fellow officers as a fine individual of great character who served as a role model for his friends and colleagues. His death came as a blow to his friends and colleagues. Dale was survived by his wife and infant son.



Dale was laid to rest in Plot F-3-127 at Cambridge Cemetery according to Return of the Marauder Men by the B-26 Marauder Historical Society.

Connections

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Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator - B-26 Marauder
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Ole 33 Gal
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

20 May 1944

Other

Entered service from

Exact date not yet known

Buried

Plot F Row 3 Grave 127

Revisions

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Removed extra info in the "Role/job" field.

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Added a cemetery to the Buried event per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 56293974.

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Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography" - "Cemetery" was misspelled.

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Larry D. Rush/JMF

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JMF - see photograph of Air Medal

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JMF - National Archives College Park

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Retrun of the Marauder Men
Mission Records of the 323rd Bomb Group, National Archives, College Park, Maryland
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IMF

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Dale Rush was killed in action on May 19, 1944 when "ole 33 Gal" WT-A Serial No. 41-35033 took a direct hit from a heavy flak burst over Dieppe., shattering the bombardier's compartment in which he was situated. (The tail gunner also was seriously injured and died after returning to base.) Dale has been described by other 456th officers as a fine individual of outstanding character. Dale was married and survived by his wife an infant son.

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ContributorAAM
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Sources

9th Air Force Roll of Honor (IWM in liaison with Ninth Air Force veterans and group associations, American Battle Monuments Commission, and Buddies of the Ninth Association) / B-26 memorials guide

Leo Dale Rush: Gallery (18 items)