Curtis Rundle Biddick
Military ROLL OF HONOURCurtis Rundle Biddick was born in Livingston, Wisconsin, on April 20, 1915, the son of Ernest and Delphis Biddick. He attended the University of California, Davis from 1932 until 1937, where he majored in Animal Science. In 1940 Biddick was working as a buyer in the wholesale meat industry in San Francisco. In January 1942 he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the United States Army Air Corps, graduating as a pilot in September of that year. He was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group in Wendover Field and departed the US with the 100th in the spring of 1943.
On July 24, 1943, Biddick piloted B-17 42-30184, nicknamed "Muggs'", on a twelve-hour mission to Trondjheim, the first Eighth Air Force attack on a Norwegian target. On his return, Biddick crash-landed in the vegetable patch of an RAF commanding officer in Aberdeen. The crew were returned to Thorpe Abbotts the following day.
On August 17, 1943, Biddick's B-17 42-5860 "Escape Kit'" took part in a mission to Regensburg. The 100th Bomb Group was assigned to "coffin corner", so called for its vulnerable position at the rear of the formation. Approximately 40 miles north of Regensburg, Biddick’s plane suffered an oxygen fire caused by 20mm damage to the nose and fuselage, trapping those on the flight deck. Four of the crew were killed in action, including Lt Biddick.
Lt Curtis Rundle Biddick will be played by Irish actor Barry Keoghan in the Apple TV series Masters of the Air (2024).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14050232
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16027969
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36178177
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36501948
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-730236
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 24 July 1943
Places
- Site type: Cemetery
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
20 April 1915 | ||
Died Killed in Action (KIA) |
17 August 1943 | Killed in Action (KIA) | |
Buried |
Lemay, Missouri | 14 December 1950 | Re-Interred Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |
Revisions
Updated Born, Died and Buried events per info in the "Summary Biography".