Rufus Alkas David Jr

Military
media-16992.jpeg UPL 16992 Crew #669
J.W. Thomas/Rufus A. David Crew
466th BG - 786th BS

Standing Left to Right: unidentified person, unidentified person, Rufus A. David (CP), J.W. Thomas (P), Keith W. Merrill (N)

Kneeling Left to Right: Houston S. Bell (TG), Charles M. McMillan (FE), John A. Bearden (BTG), Raul C. Goltara (R/O), Bernard W. Chapman (NG) 466th Bomb Group collection

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 16992 - Crew #669 J.W. Thomas/Rufus A. David Crew 466th BG - 786th BS Standing Left to Right: unidentified person, unidentified person, Rufus A. David...

Rufus David was assigned to the B-24 crew of Robert C. Moore as CP in May 1944 at the Lincoln Army Air Station in Lincoln, Nebraska. After five gas haul missions and 11 combat missions, from September to November 1944, Moore was reassigned to a lead crew. David continued with the crew as CP for a few missions while first pilots were assigned on a mission to mission basis. David was assigned to take over the crew as Airplane Commander for the remaining missions of the crew and completed a total of 34 missions.



AM w/ 4 Oak Leaf Cluster

Connections

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

Units served with

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?'

466th Bomb Group

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

People

John A Bearden

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34808000
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Houston Saxton Bell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38599017
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Bernard W Chapman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31311633
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner

Raul C Goltara

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32582590
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Charles M McMillan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer

Aircraft

42-50392

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Flying Dutchman
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-14 Liberator (serial number 44-40328) nicknamed "This Above All" of the 487th Bomb Group.

44-40328

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: This Above All
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 493rd Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron

Missions

A B-24 Liberator of the 467th Bomb Group flies over Berlin during a mission. 18 March 1945. Handwritten caption on reverse: '18/3/45 Berlin.'

894

  • Date: 18 March 1945

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).

Attlebridge

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Chicago, Illinois 10 September 1918

Died

Oroville, CA, USA 19 February 1987

Buried

Oroville, CA, USA 21 February 1987 Wyandotte Cemetery Oroville Butte County California, USA
Los Angeles, CA, USA 5318 Dahlia Drive

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Document and Family Members / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Rufus Alkas David: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 16992 - Crew #669 J.W. Thomas/Rufus A. David Crew 466th BG...