Wesley Lee Zimmerman

Military

Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Attack on Foggia airfields under TDY to the 9th AAF. POW in 41-23778 'Lady Luck' Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 2141/3150



Escaped from camp to return 29 OCT 1943



Awards: WWII Victory, EAME, POW.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95260) nicknamed "Lili Marlene" of the 66th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group flies in formation with two comrades. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24 H & B-24 J OF 44th B.G. 66th Sqdn'

66th Bomb Squadron

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

People

The crew of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23778) nicknamed "Jenny", of the 44th Bomb Group, return to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 29 January 1943. The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored. Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first r

Rocco Antonio Curelli

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11062939 / O-670981
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

41-23778

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Jenny - Lady Luck
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Winston Salem, North Carolina 15 January 1921 Son of Raymond Eugene and Nora [Whisenhunt] Zimmerman

Enlisted

Fort Bragg, NC 22 July 1942 Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Other

Baled out POW

16 August 1943 Baled out of B-24 41-23778 Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 2141/3150

Other

Returned ZI

19 October 1943 Returned Zone of Interior.

Died

Winston Salem, NC 5 August 1991

Buried

Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC 8 August 1991 Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina

Based

29 October 1943 Assigned to 66BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/37110834
https://www.fold3.com/image/28598789
https://www.fold3.com/image/298505167
https://www.fold3.com/image/141597930
https://www.fold3.com/record/87914419/world-war-ii-army-enlistment-reco…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97547972/wesley-lee-zimmerman

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3150, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p 234