Homer J Amacker

Military
A donkey nicknamed "Lady Moe" became the mascot of a 96th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Miracle Tribe" after the crew purchased the donkey in North Africa on a shuttle mission and brought her back to England. The crew are p FRE 13646 FRE 13646 A donkey nicknamed "Lady Moe" became the mascot of a 96th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Miracle Tribe" after the crew purchased the donkey in North Africa on a shuttle mission and brought her back to England. The crew are pictured with "Lady Moe" inside the aircraft giving her a cigarette.

Passed for publication 29 Aug 1943.

Handwritten caption on reverse: '96BG.'

Printed caption on reverse: '"LADY MOE" - HIGH FLYING DONKEY MASCOT OF U.S. FLYING FORTRESS CREW WHO BOMBED BORDEAUX. The crew of a U.S. Flying Fortress named "The Miracle Tribe", who had flown to North Africa from Britain in the "shuttle" service, bought a little donkey mascot from the Arabs for 400 Francs. They bundled her into their 'plane and "Lady Moe" as they call her, flew with them when they bombed an aircraft assembly plant at Bordeaux as they were returning to Britain. The Crew fixed the donkey with an oxygen mask, and "Lady Moe" is none the worse for her high flying adventure, now she is safely back in Britain - mascot of the bomber crew.
PHOTO SHOWS: "Lady Moe" the donkey, with the crew of the Flying Fortress "The Miracle Tribe", (Left to right) (Front) :- Lieut. James P. Harris, from Dallas, Texas; S/Sergeant L. Klimchak, from Josephine, Pennsylvania; Lieutenant R.W. Baileys, from Forest City, Pennsylvania (above Klimchak); S/Sgt. C. Bullock, from Rector, Arkansas; Lieutant (sic) A.W. Miracle, from Loyal, Kentucky, the Pilot; T/Sergeant H.J. Amacker, from Poplarville, Miss.; and Rear - (L-R) S/Sergeant M.R. Lord, from Providence, Rhode Island; Sergeant E.O. Mathews, from Porters, Texas; and T/Sergeant T.W. Gray, from Haverhill, Massachusetts. G, 29th August, 1943. PN-s. ' Censor No.: 281207.

On reverse: Planet News Ltd., US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 13646 - A donkey nicknamed "Lady Moe" became the mascot of a 96th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Miracle Tribe" after the crew purchased the...

Shot down 30 July 1943 in B-17 #42-30183 'Dry Run II. ' Returned to base.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A donkey nicknamed "Lady Moe" became the mascot of a 96th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Miracle Tribe" after the crew purchased the donkey in North Africa on a shuttle mission and brought her back to England. The crew are p
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Miracle Tribe, Dry Run II
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Identified from caption information of FRE 13646.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to the airbase Snetterton Heath.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to A/C 42-30183 mentioned in the "Summary biography". Also fiixed a typo in the "Summary biography".

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Roll of Honor; Snetterton Falcons, pg 25 and 44

Homer J Amacker: Gallery (1 items)