William J Gates
MilitaryTook part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23788.
Joined Sqd 8/3/42.
ETO/Flight Echelon 10/2/42.
DS/Bengahzi 6/26/43.
Returned to base 8/26/43.
Completed 16 missions.
Returned to ZOI 11/10/43.
Pilot: Cramer.
15 February 1943 : B-24 41-23800 'The Captain and the Kids' was hit by flak at the start of a bomb run putting an engine out of action. FW 109s put out another engine then over the sea a 3rd engine burst into flames. Cpt. Cramer made a wheels up landing at Sandwich Flats on Kent coast. 3 were Killed in Action (KIA) but 7 were returned successfully.
Fw 190 destroyed 2/15/43
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Kansas City, Kansas |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Webb Todd, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop and Hey, p.77, 44th BG Roll of Honor and Casualties by Lundy pp. 48-49