Samuel Robert Neeley
MilitaryInto The Fire - Duane Schultz - p. 151, 152, 225
Pilot Lt. Samuel Neeley was a B-24D Bomber pilot in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in WWII. He served in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 344th Bomb Squadron in North Africa, flying bombing and strafing missions, mostly against the German army in the North African desert, and also against Axis ports and shipping all over the Mediterranean area.
Sam Neeley was killed, (KIA), flying his B-24D, Liberator bomber, he named, Raunchy, on Operation Tidal Wave, the large bombing mission to destroy the German held oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania.
Neeley and his crew flew in Flight 1, the first line abreast wave of the 98th Bomb Group's bombers, just a few planes to the left of his friend, Lt. John Young, piloting Col. John Kane's lead aircraft, Hail Columbia, attacking their target, White IV, flying in at tree top level in the middle of Flight One, the first wave of the 98th Bomb Group's planes. Neeley's B-24, Raunchy, began taking flak hits immediately after his bomb release, as his right wing snagged a barrage balloon cable, which didn't break the cable, but pulled down an attached explosive charge on the cable that detonated and blew, Raunchy's, wing off, sending the bomber crashing down to the ground, killing Lt. Neeley and most of his crew, instantly. Only Neely's radio operator and a gunner survived the crash and became POWs in Romania. (2-POW - 8-KIA/MIA ). Most of the crew members' remains were not recovered or identified because of the explosion and extensive fire of the crash. 1 Aug 1943. MACR 169
For his part in the Ploesti mission and for his sacrifice, Lt. Neeley was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart medal.
1st Lt. Robert Samuel Neeley
BIRTH : 1921
Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, USA
DEATH : 1 Aug 1943 - Age : 21–22
Ploesti, Prahova, Romania
BURIAL :
Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial
Neuville En Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium
PLOT : Plot A - Row 39 - Grave 43
MEMORIAL ID : 56360023
Command Pilot 1st Lt. Samuel R. Neeley - DFC - PH - KIA
Hometown : Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Squadron : 344th Bomb Squadron - 98th Bomb Group - 9th Air Force
Service : O-728710
Awards : Distinguished Flying Cross, - Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters - Purple Heart -
Target : Ploesti - White IV - The Astra Romano Refinery complex
Missing Air Crew Report Details :
USAAF MACR 169
Date Lost : 1 Aug 43
Aircraft Serial Number : 41-11819
Aircraft Model : B-24D
Aircraft Letter : G
Aircraft Name : Raunchy
Location : Lost near target, the Astra Romano Refinery complex, Ploesti, Romania
Cause : Barrage balloon cable charge. 8 KIA. 2 POW.
Raunchy - B-24 - D - CO - 41-11819. 9th Bomb Group - 98th Bomb Group - 344th Bomb Squadron ~ RCL - G - 01 1. Lost on Operation Tidal Wave. 1 Aug 43. Ploesti, Romania. MACR 169
Raunchy’s Crew on Tidal Wave :
1st Lt. Samuel R. Neeley - Pilot
1st Lt. Joel I. Corn - Navigator
2nd Lt.Herman H. Henslee - Co Pilot
2nd Lt. Eugeen L. Rodgen - Bombardier
Sgt. Robert P. Schultz
Sgt.Charles P. Geers - Gunner
Sgt. Earl T. Edelen - Gunner
Sgt. Alfred D. Cason - Gunner
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- 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
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- 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
- Service Numbers: 14028237
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-661482
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Raunchy
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Hail Columbia - Little Chief Big Dog - Grumpy
- Unit: 376th Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - The Sandman
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Revisions
Details, wording, and punctuation changes for clarity and accuracy - Kickapoo
NARA files verified his ASN upon entry. His DFC lists his MIA status for the low level Ploesti raid on 1 Aug 1943. He earned at least one bronze star device on the EAME Campaign Medal.
The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart
The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart
The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart
The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943 - James Dugan & Carroll Stewart
Removed "#" from the S/N.
Removed "B-24" from the "Role/job" field.