Thomas Hurley Borders
MilitaryNOTE by L2M2: Pictured far left is then Captain William B. Musselwhite.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.', '216129' [ Censor no] and 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942' [stamp].
Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT Associated Press photo shows: Gene Raymond ex-Hollywood film star now intelligence office in the U.S. Army Air Corps questions Sgt. Kent West of West Blocton, ALA. Rear Gunner who shot down a Focke-Wulf 190 as the first All-American victim on the European front in this war. The pilot of West's plane was Lt. Tom Borders of Birmingham, ALA ( extreme right) AKP ROB 249457/8/9 i8842N.' Roger Freeman Collection
Added connection to Kent West
Lt Thomas Borders graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa before enlisting in the Air Corps in July 1941. Assigned as a Pilot in the 97th Bomb Group/414th Bomb Squadron, he was sent overseas. He was Pilot of "Birmingham Blitzkrieg" on VIII Bomber Command's first Heavy Bomber raid to Rouen, France on 17 August 1942. Transferred to North Africa with the 97thBG, he was pilot of 41-24413, also named "Birmingham Blitzkrieg" when it was lost to Flak and exploded in mid-air on a mission to Biskra, Tunisia, 26 December 1942. Tom Borders and all nine other men on board were killed. To this day, all ten are still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11041054
- Role/Job: Photographer/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6149246
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17019902
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13032505 at enlistment, then O-412797
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-659014
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 17 August 1942
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Cemetery
- Known as: North Africa American Cemetery, Tunis, Tunisia
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States | 19 June 1917 | the son of Robert Henderson Borders Sr and Susan Jane (Tatum) Borders |
Enlisted |
Montgomery, Alabama, United States | 12 July 1941 | as an Aviation Cadet in the Air Corps |
Died |
Tunisia, North Africa | 26 December 1942 | in the loss of B-17 41-24413 |
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States | as a student at the University of Alabama | ||
Other Memorialized |
North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial | on the Tablets of the Missing |