FRE 3424

IMAGE

By downloading this image, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions

The B-24D Liberator nicknamed, Suzy Q, in the 8th Air force and the 44th Bomb Group, in flight during the raid over Ploesti. Printed caption on reverse: "For his leadership of the 44th Bomb Group on the Ploesti mission, Gen. Leon Johnson was awarded his country's highest decoration, the Medal Of Honor. He sat in the co-pilot's seat of, Suzy Q, here depicted on the return flight. This, believed to be the only photograph of that famous bomber actually taken during the mission. It was snapped through the oil smeared windscreen of the B-24D, Buzzin' Bear, the only other remaining aircraft of that formation.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

A medical truck and ground personnel of the 44th Bomb Group on standby as a B-24 Liberator (V, serial number 41-23813) nicknamed "Victory Ship" returns from a mission. Image via Colonel William R Cameron.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19062664 / 0-727169
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Colonel Leon W. Johnson of the 44th Bomb Group after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. Handwritten caption on reverse: '138/RF, WD 140. B/G Leon Johnson with Medal of Honor 22 Nov 1943.' On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp].
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (14th Combat Bomb Wing)
  • Service Numbers: O-16429
  • Highest Rank: Brigadier General
  • Role/Job: Pilot - Commanding Officer 44th

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Seeds of Satan - Miss Delores - Buzzin' Bear
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron

Mission

Revisions

Date:
ContributorKickapoo
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 'Buzzin' Bear' - 'Suzy Q'

Date:
ContributorKickapoo
ChangesChanges to caption, person associations and place associations
Sources

Aircraft names. - Kickapoo

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection