Curtis E Wheat Jr
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Wheat Family
Object Number - UPL 30290 - Cadet Curtis "Buck" Wheat, enlisted 1941, KIA 20 May 44 in Channel returning from raid on Dieppe, navigator on the Battlin Bitch, Maj. Wm. Heather,...
Killed in Action (KIA). On B-26 mission to Dieppe Ports area.
DFC, AM w/ 7 Oak Leaf Cluster
The rest of the crew: Maj. William J. Heather, Pilot, 0-727724; Capt. Clark T. Dean, Bombardier, 0-663242; 1 Lt. Arthur J. Smyth, "Gee" Navigator, 0-791865; S/sgt. Raymond D. Hamley, Engineer/gunner, 20213665; T/sgt. Richard G. Keefer, Radio/gunner, 13087561; 2 Lt. Frank L. Watkins, Tail gunner, 0-2045203.
Connections
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Units served with
![Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380000.jpg.webp?itok=SSrEVQvb)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died |
20 May 1944 | The Battlin Bitch was apparently the Box Lead plane (piloted by Maj. Wm. Heather), said position being indicated by the presence of a bombardier, Capt. Dean Clark. There was also a "Gee" navigator, indicating radar being used. The plane was returning to its base at Earls Colne, northwest of London, near Colchester, after completing the run. Because the damage to the left engine was so bad, the plane turned back toward France. It was seen losing altitude and crashing into the Channel near Dieppe between 1900 and 1800 local time. No wreckage was found or bodies recovered, except for that of engineer/gunner Raymond Hamley, which washed ashore in France some time later. | |
|
Born |
Hidalgo Co, Texas | Buck graduated from Texas A&M in 1939 and enlisted in 1941. As of November, 1943, his parents, Rev. and Mrs. C.E. Wheat, Sr., lived in Pharr, Texas. Before he enlisted, Buck was an assistant geophysicist employed by the Gulf Research and Development Corp. | |
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Other |
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Other Missing in Action (MIA) |
20 May 2044 | Buck was listed as the navigator on the "Egg Crate" in a hometown newspaper in November, 1943. However, he was on the crew of "Battlin Bitch" on its last mission. The MACR states "flak to left engine, last seen smoking but under control". |
Revisions
b26.com/Trevor Allen; us militaria forum search for Raymond Hamely, 20213665, citing MACR4966 and Hamley's IDPF
b26.com/Trevor Allen; us militaria forum search for s/s Raymond Hamley, 20213665, citing MACR4966 and Hamley's IDPF
The Valley Morning Star, Harlington, TX, 16 Nov 43
B-26 Marauder site, b26.com
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 / Combat Chronology, WWII Memorial / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
