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Military
Richard Ainsworth
Ben Hicks wrestling with Richard Ainsworth
Richard H. "Dick" Gunn, Pilot; Richard A. Ainsworth, Co-pilot; Presley C. Funk, Bombardier; William Dale Matlock, Engineer Gunner, Richard C. Everett, Radio Gunner; H.E. Dean, Tail Gunner
Richard Ainsworth
Richard Ainsworth
Richard and Martha get married.
Richard and Martha get married.
L-R: William Dale Matlock (tech Sergeant), H.E. Dean, tail gunner; Richard C. Everett, Radio/Gunner; Lt. Richard A. Ainsworth, Co-Pilot; Lt. Richard H. Gunn, Pilot. The "Secksma Sheen" was Major Sheen's B26. The Gunn/Ainsworth crew flew many missions is this plane.
Richard Ainsworth
Ben Hicks
Rich Ainsworth told me that he had graduated from all fighter pilot schools, number three in his class. One day soon after graduation the CO called a formation. The CO called out names starting with "A", Ainsworth was called and sent to fly B26s as a co-pilot.
The transfer upset Rich very much but there was nothing he could do. He was assigned to an excellent pilot, Dick Gunn, who eventually became a Squadron and Group flight leader (first plane leading missions). Once in combat Rich flew as many missions as he could as quickly as he could, offering to fly back up for other pilots (see 15 December 1944) and co-pilots who could not fly for illness or other reasons. Feeling let down because he was moved from fighter planes to bombers, all he wanted to do was fly his 65 missions and get out.
This story was confirmed by Clyde Harkins, a long time friend. Rich was an outstanding man assisting people who asked questions on the B26.com message board since 1999. When Rich was young he surfed and spear fished at Crescent Bay, Shaw's Cove, and Laguna Beach, California. Rich wrote emails in caps and signed off with "DO KEEP IN TOUCH--O'L RICH--OUT".
Group
The 387th Bomb Group flew just under thirty missions with the Eighth Air Force before being transferred to the Ninth Air Force in October 1943. The Group remained at Chipping Ongar, Essex after being reassigned and continued to hit targets in France....
Squadron
Military site : airfield
The air base was constructed by the 831st Engineer Battalion (Aviation) in late August 1942. The 387th Bomb Group were the only American group to be based there, flying B-26 Marauders in strategic missions over France, first for the Eighth and then for...
Military site : airfield
Planned as a secret, emergency airfield, Stoney Cross was developed during 1942-43 as an advance base for both fighters and bombers. Occupied by the RAF from January 1943, before construction was complete, the station had eventually three concrete...
Military site : airfield
Military site : airfield
Military site : airfield
| Event | Location | Date |
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| Lived in | California, USA |
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| 04 April 2017 09:44:29 | Lucy May | Changes to middlename, biography, events, unit associations and place associations |
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| 01 April 2017 18:54:57 | Mike Smith | Changes to media associations |
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mike smith |
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| 01 April 2017 18:48:56 | Mike Smith | Changes to biography |
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mikesmith |
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| 01 April 2017 18:38:12 | Mike Smith | Changes to role and biography |
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mike smith |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 01 April 2017 18:35:51 | Mike Smith | Created entry with surname, firstname, nickname, nationality and media associations |
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