James A Deeds

Military

Lt. James Deeds, flew the B-24D Liberator bomber, 42-40991, named, Kate Smith, in Operation Tidal Wave at Ploesti, Romania. He was shot down over the refineries at Ploesti, 1 Aug 43. Kate Smith, took a direct hit on the cockpit while flying over the target area at 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. 9 KIA - 1 POW. MACR 226.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Kate Smith
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

28 September 1919 Sep. 28, 1919

Died

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Shot down on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, A/C took a direct hit on the cockpit while at the target area at an estimated 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. 9 KIA 1 POW. MACR 226.

Buried

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92106, USA Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego San Diego County, California, USA.
Oakland, CA, USA Oakland, California, USA.

Other

Assigned

Libya 345 BS, 98 BG, 9 AF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 42-40991 - Kate Smith

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - Kate Smith

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Added details. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 42-40991 - Kate Smith

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes