Benjamin Hoyt DeLoach

Military
Deloyt crew portrait UPL 69558 UPL 69558 DeLoach and Crew. Aircrew #442. Standing (L-R): 1st Lt. Benjamin Hoyt DeLoach, pilot; T/Sgt. Vernon H. Hawbaker, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner; 2nd Lt. Emil F. "Joker" Gallessich, bombardier; Gerald Esser. Kneeling (L-R): S/Sgt. Luster B. Mills, Tail Gunner; S/Sgt. James Parrish, Waist gunner; T/Sgt. Harry Bartholomew, Radio; S/Sgt. Warren R. Hummer, Waist gunner; and S/Sgt. Raymond J. Batliner, Ball turret.

 The original photo has always been on the wall in my father's house. He was the pilot. 

On

Object Number - UPL 69558 - DeLoach and Crew. Aircrew #442. Standing (L-R): 1st Lt. Benjamin Hoyt DeLoach, pilot; T/Sgt. Vernon H. Hawbaker, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner; 2nd Lt....

Lt. Benjamin Hoyt DeLoach was born October 27, 1919, in Evans County, GA. to Willie F. and Elmine Callaway DeLoach. He flew 29 combat missions; 213 combat hours; in England from 10 June 1944-25 August 1944. After his tour of duty, he returned to the States, married his sweetheart, Betty Belmont, and became a flight instructor in Texas. Following the war, he enrolled in the University of Georgia using the GI Bill, where he received a degree in agriculture. He served as County Extension Agent for 40 years, 39 of which were in Charlton County, GA. He and Betty were the proud parents of five children. DeLoach passed away January 31, 1988, at the age of 68 and is buried at Canoochee Cemetery, Evans County, GA.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Denver Bandit
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Paper Doll
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pakawalup
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 25 August 1944
  • Date: 14 August 1944
  • Date: 13 August 1944
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 305th Bomb Group fly in formation.
  • Date: 4 August 1944

Places

The mission board of the 457th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-299-2-457)(16/5/45)(Op's Board's).'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Connington

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

31 January 1988

Revisions

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Sources

The original photo was always displayed in his home.

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pilot's personal copy of service record

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Personal records

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Family collection

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Personal and family collections.

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1993 457th BGA Roster / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Benjamin Hoyt DeLoach: Gallery (1 items)