Lloyd Theodore Fowler
MilitaryTSgt. Lloyd T. Fowler was a crew member, the Flight Engineer/top turret gunner, of the B-24D, 41-11886, Lil Joe, shot down and lost on Operation Tidal Wave over Ploesti, Romania. Lil Joe was hit in it's extra gasoline tank in it's bomb bay by flak approaching it's target causing a large fuel leak, which immediately caught on fire. The pilot, Lt. Lindley Hussey, pressed on and bombed his target with his plane burning from leaking gasoline. After dropping his bombs, Lt. Hussey pulled Lil Joe up into a climb to give his men a chance to bail out. 6 crew bailed, 2 survived their descent. Lil Joe crashed in a field and exploded, on fire. Lt. Hussey and his radioman were pulled from wrecked airplane badly burned and became POW's. 4 POW, 5 KIA. 1 Aug, 1943. MACR 222.
Awards: DFC, AM (4OLC), PH.
Connections
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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 345th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Enlisted |
Portland, OR | 4 March 1942 | Portland, Oregon |
|
Died |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Crew member of B-24 41-11886 'Lil Joe' lost on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, A/C had large fuel leak in bomb bay prior to target, pressed on and bombed target with A/C bursting into flames from leaked fuel, pilot pulled aircraft into climb to enable bail out, 6 crew bailed, 2 survived descent, Lil Joe exploded and crashed in a field, Hussey and radioman pulled from wreck badly burnt and became POW's. 4 POW, 5 KIA. MACR 222. |
|
Based Assigned |
1 August 1943 | Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF. | |
|
Born |
Oklahoma | Son of E. Earl and Agnes Caroline [Winchester] Fowler. | |
|
Buried |
Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial | Re-Interred Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial Neupre, Belgium Plot A Row 39 Grave 47 | |
| Kelso, WA |