Beecher Bell

Military
media-42511.jpeg UPL 42511 Crew #455 - Burton M. Bush Crew
466th BG - 784th BS - 8th AF
This group had previously flown nine missions with the 458th BG, and approximately 18 missions with the 93rd BG. They flew four missions with the 466th BG
Standing far left: Burton M. Bush (P)
Middle row 2nd from left:
Crew Roster (Not in order in the photo): Burton M. Bush (P), Millard P. Schaaf (CP), John McSweeney (N), Robert E. Clark (B), Beecher Bell (RO), John D. Dye (NTG), Benjamin T. Clements (FE), John P. Sixkiller (TTG), Chester Sinicki (BTG), Austin L. Seals (TG)
Schaaf, McSweeney, Clark and Sinicki had all be replaced before transferring to the 466th BG. 458th Bomb Group collection

Object Number - UPL 42511 - Crew #455 - Burton M. Bush Crew 466th BG - 784th BS - 8th AF This group had previously flown nine missions with the 458th BG, and approximately 18...

Connections

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Units served with

Personnel of the 458th Bomb Group gather around a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29303) nicknamed "Liberty Lib" in order to transfer a casualty into a waiting ambulance. Image via Harry Holmes. Written on slide casing: '458th BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 466th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 752nd Bomb Squadron 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-747205
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot/Pilot

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Gobey, TN 9 June 1923

Enlisted

Fort Oglethorpe, GA 8 January 1943

Other

458th BG Combat Tour

Horsham St. Faith, UK 6 March 1944 - 8 April 1944 8 combat missions

Other

93rd BG Combat Tour

RAF Hardwick 15 April 1944 - 15 August 1944 Dates are approximate

Other

466th BG Combat Tour

RAF Attlebridge 30 August 1944 - 26 October 1944 Lead Crew

Died

Kingston, TN 24 January 2013 Beecher Bell, 89, of Kingston, died Thursday, January 24, 2013. Mr. Bell was born in Gobi, Tennessee, the son of Robert and Ida Mae Bell. His wife Mary Clemmer Bell preceded him in death. They were happily married for 64 years. Mr. Bell is survived by his children, Lycinda Bell McCormick of Brentwood, TN and Daniel B Bell (Anita); and grandchildren, Collin Bell, Emily Grace Bell, and Robert Tyler Bell of Coronado, CA; brother George Maurice Bell, and sister, Marion Bell Crane of Las Vegas, Nev. He was a member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bell was a member of the US Army Air Corps during WWII, serving as a radio operator on board the B24, Flying Fortress (sic, He flew on the B-24 Liberator) he completed 30 missions over Continental Europe and as a result of his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. At the conclusion of WWII, he attended the University of Tennessee where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. In 1959, he and his family moved to Kingston, Tennessee where he was employed as an administrator and long-time social studies teacher at Roane County High School. After retiring, his interests included genealogy, traveling with his wife, and following University of Tennessee sports. He will be remembered for his humility and his good heart. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a friend to many.

Buried

27 January 2013 Bethel Cemetery Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee, USA
Anderson County, TN

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

458bg.com / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Beecher Bell: Gallery (1 items)