Arthur Benjamin Van Kleeck

Military

Assigned to 344BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-24198; Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 166



Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (3OLC), EAME, 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 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20434718
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight engineer / Top turret
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19039735 / O-729382
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - The Vulgar Virgin - Hell From Heaven - Shoot Youre Faded
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Soluch Airfield

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

New York City, NY 14 July 1923 Son of Arthur B. Van Kleeck.

Enlisted

New York City, NY 17 December 1941 New York City, New York

Died

Tatarani, Romania 1 August 1943 Failed to Return (FTR) Ploesti in B-24 41-24198; Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 166

Based

Benina 1 August 1943 Assigned to 344BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.

Buried

Tablets of the Missing Florence American Cemetery and Memorial Florence, Tuscany, Italy