Charles Vernon Thornton

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-17771.jpeg UPL 17771 Major Charles Vernon Thornton

Sent through to the American Air Museum by researcher Jan Jolie, via Ann Thornton (Major Thornton's niece).

Object Number - UPL 17771 - Major Charles Vernon Thornton

On 22-Feb-44, after an attack on the airbase of Gilze-Rijen, the B-26 41-31644 'Crescendo' of the 555th Bomb Squadron crashed in Oosterhout, near the airbase.



All 7 crew members safely left the Crescendo except the pilot, Major Charles Vernon Thornton, who died in the crash.



Awards: DFC (2OLC), AM (3OLC), EAME, PH.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together

386th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Crescendo". Handwritten caption on reverse: '386BG. 552nd/555th BS.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A/C Name: Crescendo. Left to right from back row: Bomb: Theodore Lehman. Pilot: Charles V. Thornton. C/P: Eugene F. Anderson. R/G: William B. Harris. E/G: Norman L. Bell. A/G: Name unknown at this time.'

41-31644

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Crescendo
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron 555th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Blum, TX 24 October 1919

Died

Oosterhout, Netherlands 22 February 1944

Based

Killed in Action (KIA)

Great Dunmow 22 February 2044 Assigned to 55BS, 386BG, 9AF USAAF.

Buried

Netherlands American Cemetery Re-Interred Netherlands American Cemetery Margraten, Netherlands Plot I, Row 8, Grave 7

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/record/529879625/charles-v-thornton-american-batt…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56304586/charles-vernon-thornton

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Information sent through to the American Air Museum by researcher Jan Jolie.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Listed as belonging to the 555th Bomb Squadron so added his group - 386th Bomb Group - from that information.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

9th Air Force Roll of Honor (IWM in liaison with Ninth Air Force veterans and group associations, American Battle Monuments Commission, and Buddies of the Ninth Association) / B-26 memorials guide

Charles Vernon Thornton: Gallery (2 items)

A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Crescendo". Handwritten caption on reverse: '386BG. 552nd/555th BS.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A/C Name: Crescendo. Left to right from back row: Bomb: Theodore Lehman. Pilot: Charles V. Thornton. C/P: Eugene F. Anderson. R/G: William B. Harris. E/G: Norman L. Bell. A/G: Name unknown at this time.'

Object number: FRE 7766 - A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B...

Object number: UPL 17771 - Major Charles Vernon Thornton