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Lt David B "Arch" Archibald.[ Suffield, CT ]. 368th Fighter Squadron. P-51D CV-L "Betty Louise".
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Lt David B "Arch" Archibald. [Suffield, CT]. 368th Fighter Squadron. P-51D CV-L 44-14652 "Betty Louise".
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) escort to Kassel, left formation as ailerons were freezing, reduced his altitude accompanied by wingman. Overflying a crashed B-17 the pair made ready to destroy it by dropping fuel tanks and strafing them, when flak opened up and hit A/C P-51D 44-15555, wounding Lt Archibald in the leg. Returning from this incident, the pair ended up in a melee with Fw190's and were shot down by flak having downed 10 Fw190's between them [Lt Archibald 4, Lt Olson 3, 3 crashed in panic]. A/C crashed near Cologne when Lt Archibald passed out from loss of blood and exploded, ejecting Lt Archibald who amazingly was found alive but unconscious 7 hours later. Lt Olson baled when his A/C P-51D 44-14131 was hit by flak and exploded covering him in burning fuel and oil, which he extinguished prior to opening his parachute, both became POW's. MACR 11302.
Jack H. Smith, Mustangs & Unicorns, and USAF Historical Research Agency website credit Archibald with five victories in one day, 18 December 1944, the day that he was shot down; these victories are not recognized by USAF Historical Study 85 and he was not officially credited with any victories or with ace status when the study was completed in 1978. Captain Archibald's presence on the USAF HRA website may indicate that his case has been resolved to reflect the victories of 18 December 1944. The victories are not recognized in Kent D. Miller, Jigger, Tinplate & Redcross. Listed as RTD by MACR 11302; account of Prisoner of War (POW) experience appears in Jack H. Smith, Mustangs & Unicorns.
Awards: AM (10 OLC), POW, PH (1 OLC), , Bronze Star, Good Conduct, American Campaign, EAME, World War II Victory, National Service, Overseas Service, USAF Service.
Service
People
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Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 359th Fighter Group
Prisoner of War (POW) crashed near Aachen on 18 Dec 44 in P-51 #44-14131, also P-51B #42-106917 'Mari-Helen' and P-51D #44-14444 'Supermouse', June-Dec. 18, 1944
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Units served with
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Group
The 359th Fighter Group flew 346 missions from East Wretham between December 1943 and April 1945. In the main these missions were escorting bombers flying over occupied Europe. The Group, soon after converting from Thunderbolts to Mustangs, were...
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Squadron
Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 11 September 1944.
Aircraft
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P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) escort to Kassel, left formation as ailerons were freezing, reduced his altitude accompanied by wingman. Overflying a crashed B-17 the pair made ready to destroy it by dropping fuel tanks and...
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P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Lost in take off crash 27-Aug-44 East Wretham Lt David B Archibald uninjured. RTD.
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P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Crash landed East Wretham 12-Sep-44 Lt David B Archibald.
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P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Lost 1-Nov-44 Lt David B Archibald bailed out due to engine failure 5 miles East of Rackheath, UK.
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P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of 1st Lt David B Archibald.
Associated Place
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Military site : airfield
East Wretham was not improved to Class A standard. It retained its shorter runways, although eventually pierced-steel planking was laid to make take offs and landings easier for the Thunderbolt, and then Mustang, pilots. Steel matting was also laid to...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Born |
Longmeadow, Massachusetts |
15 March 1921 |
Enlisted |
Groton, CT, USA |
24 February 1941 |
Assigned |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK |
2 August 1944 – 18 December 1944 |
Assigned to 368FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF.
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Crashed |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK |
27 August 1944 |
P-51D 44-13721 Lost in take off crash 27-Aug-44 East Wretham Lt David B Archibald uninjured. RTD.
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Crashed |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK |
12 September 1944 |
Crash landed in P-51D 44-13943 East Wretham 12-Sep-44 Lt David B Archibald. Cat 5 damage.
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Promotion |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK |
16 September 1944 |
Promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
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Baled Out |
Rackheath, Norwich NR13, UK |
1 November 1944 |
P-51D 44-14854 Lost 1-Nov-44 Lt David B Archibald bailed out due to engine failure 5 miles East of Rackheath, UK.
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Prisoner of War (POW) |
Tychowo, Poland |
18 December 1944 – May 1945 |
Prisoner of War (POW). Incarcerated in Stalag 4B.
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Crashed POW |
Cologne, Germany |
18 December 1944 |
Failed to Return (FTR) escort to Kassel, left formation as ailerons were freezing, reduced his altitude accompanied by wingman. Crashed in P-51D 44-15555 near Cologne. POW. MACR 11302.
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Buried |
Bourne, MA, USA |
February 1998 |
Massachusetts National Cemetery
Bourne
Barnstable County
Massachusetts, USA.
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Died |
Falmouth, MA, USA |
9 February 1998 |