Harold Jack Flaugher

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-19633.jpeg UPL 19633 Harold Jack Flaugher (courtesy of Mrs Tracy Flaugher, via Marilyn Jeffers Walton)

Added photo

Object Number - UPL 19633 - Harold Jack Flaugher (courtesy of Mrs Tracy Flaugher, via Marilyn Jeffers Walton)

Flaugher was Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on B-24 "Rhapsody In Junk" 41-28733 of 458th Bomb Group / 754th Bomb Squadron when it was shot down on the 18 June 1944 mission to Fassberg, Germany.



He was the sole casualty, and the 9 other crew members on board were made prisoners. Flaugher was found dead on the ground. Flaugher was seen dead by his fellow crew members in Eckenforde, Germany, where his body was held by the Germans at the Navy base there.



He was buried in Germany in a church cemetery for three years and transferred to Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium. He was from German descent and had lived in Bloomdale, Ohio. In high school, he played football, basketball and ran track. Gifted with a strong voice, he sang in the church choir. He worked in his father's Flaugher's Garage before enlisting in March 1943.



He had last been seen with his parachute on, asking to be pushed out of the plane. German and crew members' statements differ, the latter thinking Flaugher was killed on the ground, as they saw his chest was crushed, and he had a small discoloration on his right temple. But their friend had no broken bones nor blood on him. His clothes were intact with all the buttons buttoned. Injuries were consistent with a man who could have hit the side of the plane when it turned on descent, killing him instantly.

Connections

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

Units served with

Personnel of the 458th Bomb Group gather around a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29303) nicknamed "Liberty Lib" in order to transfer a casualty into a waiting ambulance. Image via Harry Holmes. Written on slide casing: '458th BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-860086
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19116172 and O-761871
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38367896
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39693927
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34509333
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

A bomber crew of the 458th Bomb Group prepare to board their B-24 Liberator, (serial number 41-28733) nicknamed "Rhapsody in Junk", for a mission, whilst ground crew refuel the aircraft. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], ' Passed for publication 28 Apr 1944.' [stamp] and '317857.' [Censor no.] Printed caption attached to the reverse: ROUND THE CLOCK BOMBERS. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO SHOWS: As the ground crew refuels, the crew of a Liberator at a U.S. Bomber Base " somewhere in England"
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Rhapsody in Junk
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

9 April 1923 the son of Wilbur Clyde Flaugher Sr and Alta Flaugher

Enlisted

6 March 1943

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

18 June 1944 Was seen dead by his fellow crew members in the city where these had been brought after their arrest. He had last been seen with his parachute on, asking to be pushed out of the plane. German and crew members' statements differ, the latter thinking Flaugher was killed on the ground, as they saw his chest was broken, no other bones broken, a large discoloration on the right temple, like he had been struck by a blunt instrument or object...like a rifle butt...

Buried

21 June 1944 Initially buried in the military cemetery, Husumstrasse, Schleswig

Buried

Re-interred after the war at the Ardennes American Cemetery - Plot C - Row 7 - Grave 24

Born

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added " / " in the "Role/job" field as a separator to aid readability.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Additional information sent through to the American Air Museum by Thomas F Jeffers' daughter, Marilyn.

Date
Changes
Sources

Correct name is Harold Jack FLAUGHER > Harold J Flaugher (user : ED-BB)

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia ;
- MACR 5908
- Page 275 of the book LIBERATORS OVER EUROPE by Mackay, Bailey & Scorza, D790G458;
- 458bg. crew picture in Newell's crew in 754th BS

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Linked to photo

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

WWII Enlistment records
MACR 5908
ABMC website
Marilyn Jeffers Walton's book "Rhapsody In Junk" (Authorhouse, April 2007)

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 5908 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Harold Jack Flaugher: Gallery (3 items)