Lawrence Jack Hadcock

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-13905.jpeg UPL 13905 B-24D Liberator 42-40655, named, Four Eyes, and, Damfino, and crew lost on the Ploesti raid. 1st Aug 43 MACR 174
◼ William R DeBusk :: Navigator
◼Robert C Elliott :: Gunner
◼Zelwood A Gravlin :: Gunner
◼Lawrence J Hadcock :: Pilot
◼James B Hale :: Engineer
◼Ralph D Kolb :: Gunner
◼John E Kraft :: Co-Pilot
◼Eugene J O'Mara :: Gunner
◼Lawrence E Reitz :: Radio Operator
◼Peter A Timpo :: Bombardier

HonorStates.org - Eugene J. O'Mara

Object Number - UPL 13905 - B-24D Liberator 42-40655, named, Four Eyes, and, Damfino, and crew lost on the Ploesti raid. 1st Aug 43 MACR 174 ...

Assigned to 343BS, 98BG, 8AF USAAF. Temp Duty (TDY) 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti raid in the B-24D, 42-40655, named, Four Eyes, later, Damfino. 1 Aug 43. 10 Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 174



Awards: DFC, AM, PH.



“Lt. Hadcock participated in Operation Tidal Wave, one of the most daring raids of World War II. Flying into their heavily defended target at tree top level, the 98th Bomb Group destroyed the Astra Romano oil refinery. The 98th Bomb Group earned the Presidential Unit Citation, all of the crews received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their participation in the mission. Lt. Hadcock was awarded his Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart posthumously.” - Info from John Dowdy



Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18074761 / O-670102
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38013630
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31125292
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38088239
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18166531
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Four Eyes - Damfino
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Soluch Airfield

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Syracuse, NY 25 May 1920 Son of Edward and Mildred V [Scott] Hadcock.

Enlisted

Buffalo, NY 21 January 1942 Buffalo, New York

Died

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Failed to Return (FTR) 1-Aug-43 Ploesti raid, part of crew on B-24 'Four Eyes' 42-40655. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 174

Buried

Martville Cemetery, Martville, Cayuga County, NY 8 June 1950 Martville Cemetery, Martville, Cayuga County, New York.

Based

Benina 1 August 1943 Assigned to 343BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

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ContributorKickapoo
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Detail added. - Kickapoo

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Spelling. Details added. - Kickapoo

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30903101/lawrence-jack-hadcock
Bio had become convoluted and repetitive - re-arranged, trimmed

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ContributorKickapoo
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Detail added. - Kickapoo

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Details added. - Kickapoo

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Role/ Job change. - Kickapoo

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FindAGrave Memorial - Lawrence J. Hadcock

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ContributorKickapoo
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FindAGrave Memorial - Lawrence J. Hadcock

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 43-40655 - Four Eyes - Damfino

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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AAM database.

Lawrence Jack Hadcock: Gallery (1 items)