42-40208 The Sad Sack

Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid piloted by William D Banks, safely diverting to Cypress.

Crew: Co Pilot Carl F. Root, Nav Theodore C. Stewart, Bombardier Joseph L. Souza, Waist Gunner Earl Rice, Waist Gunner Durward A. Carberry, Tail Gunner Wilson W. Cain, Gunner Floyd M Pleasant, Top Turret Walter A Golec, Gunner Henry Richotte.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15074778 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33012746
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18046474 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid piloted by William D Banks, safely diverting to Cypress.

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 344th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes