Frank Ardith Norris

Military
media-14213.jpeg UPL 14213 B-24D Liberator, 42-40102, Old Baldy, was lost near it's target at Ploesti, Romania. An AA flak round hit the pilot compartment, instantly killing the pilot, 1st Lt John J Dore. All crewmembers were killed in action. 10 KIA. MACR 223.

Rear L-R: Frank Norris, Joe Finneran, Worthington Franks, Will D Buchanan, John J Dore.
Front L-R: Max Lower, Joe Iosco, Stan Packer, Wes Jones

Added details. - Kickapoo

Object Number - UPL 14213 - B-24D Liberator, 42-40102, Old Baldy, was lost near it's target at Ploesti, Romania. An AA flak round hit the pilot compartment, instantly...

Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. John Dore crew. Flight Engineer on B-24 42-40102 'Old Baldy' Lost near the target, Ploesti, AA hit point blank at 30 feet or less from a Rumanian 80 mm. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 223.



Awards: DFC (OLC), AM, PH.

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 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11010920 / O-437913
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Old Baldy
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Quinlan, TX 5 December 1919 Son of Robert Walter and Mary Lee Norris.

Enlisted

Dallas, TX 15 November 1941 Dallas, Texas

Died

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Flight Engineer on B-24 42-40102 'Old Baldy' Lost near the target, Ploesti, AA hit point blank at 30 feet or less from a Rumanian 80 mm. Pilot 1st Lt John J Dore. 10 KIA. MACR 223.
Celeste, TX 75423, USA Celeste, Texas, USA.

Buried

Tablets of the Missing Florence, Provincia di Firenze, Toscana, Italy.

Based

Assigned

Libya 1 August 1943 Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.

Frank Ardith Norris: Gallery (3 items)