Richard G Keefer

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Killed in Action (KIA)

DFC, AM w/ 6 Oak Leaf Cluster

The rest of the crew: Maj. William J. Heather, pilot, 0-727724; Capt. Clark T. Dean, Bombardier,0-663242; Curtis E. "Buck" Wheat, Navigator, 0-731349; 1 Lt. Arthur J. Smyth, "Gee" navigator, 0-791865; S/sgt. Raymond D. Hamley, Engineer/gunner, 20213665; 2 Lt. Frank L. Watkins, Tail gunner, 0-2045203.

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.'

323rd Bomb Group

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

Aircraft

41-31950

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Pennsylvania

Other

Missing in Action (MIA)

20 May 2044 Keefer was on the Battlin Bitch on a raid on the Dieppe Port. The left engine was damaged during heavy flak and was returning after the raid with the engine smoking, but the ship was under control. It was next noted that the plane turned back toward France and then went down in the Channel near Dieppe at around 1930 hours (local). There was no wreckage recovered nor any bodies, save for that of s/s Raymond Hamley, whose body washed ashore in France.

Revisions

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macr4966

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MACR4966; us militaria forum search for Hamley; b26.com

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MACR4966

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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 / Combat Chronology, WWII Memorial / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia