David Glen Redfern

Military
media-25653.jpeg UPL 25653 Reproduction of the artwork that adorned the nose of B-24J #44-10558 "Ma's Lil' Angel" of the 466th BG - 785th BS sent ny Harold Fritzler to Earl Wassom.

This cartoon was originally painted by David Redfern the waist gunner assigned to the Eugene Scamhorn Crew of the 491st BG, when they were given the aircraft in San Francisco.

The Scamhorn Crew ferried #44-10558 over from the United States, and like most crews who ferried a bomber over, thought it would be the aircraft they took into combat, so they named it and painted only to have it taken away when they got to Northern Ireland.

Amends to caption as per Redfern's diary at 2nd Air Division Digital Archive

Object Number - UPL 25653 - Reproduction of the artwork that adorned the nose of B-24J #44-10558 "Ma's Lil' Angel" of the 466th BG - 785th BS sent ny Harold Fritzler to Earl...

Redfern was waist gunner assigned to Eugene D Scamahorn's crew. After completing air crew training in California, the crew were given B-24 44-10558. Assuming it would become their regular aircraft Redfern painted it (with the support of the crew) with the nose art of 'Ma's 'Lil' Angel', but upon arrival in Northern Ireland the aircraft was re-assigned to the 466th Bomb Group, and Redfern's crew given another Liberator. Redfern completed 29 missions the last one being on 21st March 1945.



From 11 September 1944 to 21 March 1945, Redfern completed 28 missions with the 491st Bomb Group.



After the war, Redfern worked as a cartoonist and arts educator

Connections

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

Units served with

A Pathfinder B-24 Liberator (V2-P+, serial number 42-51691) of the 491st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '491 BG supplying troops at Arnhem, Sept 1944.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2015357
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 491st Bomb Group 852nd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Ma's Lil Angel
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 491st Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 11 March 1945
  • Date: 28 February 1945
  • Date: 27 February 1945

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Mercer, Pennsylania 20 August 1921

Enlisted

Struthers, Ohio 15 February 1942

Died

Powell, Ohio 30 July 2013
Struthers, Ohio

Other

Training

March Field, California

Other

Painted nose art of B-24 44-10558

Hamilton Field, San Francisco
Cincinnati, Ohio

Buried

Rest Haven Memorial Park, Evendale, Hamilton County, Ohio

Based

North Pickenham

Revisions

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

NARA files verified AM w/3 oak leaf clusters. He earned the ACM based upon date of entry and EAME Campaign Medal with at least one bronze service star.

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

Ringmasters Winter 2002

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / WWW.491st.org roster

David Glen Redfern: Gallery (1 items)