Arthur S Pakula

Military
media-41374.jpeg UPL 41374 Lt. Arthur J. Pakula, 456th BS, 323rd BG. Location is likely Laon/Athies Airfield, France. 1944 Lt. Arthur J. Pakula Collection

JMF

Object Number - UPL 41374 - Lt. Arthur J. Pakula, 456th BS, 323rd BG. Location is likely Laon/Athies Airfield, France. 1944

My dad, 1st Lt. Arthur S. Pakula enlisted in the Army Air Corps on July 9, 1941 at the age of 18 years. He served in the Pacific and European Theaters. Arthur received his silver wings and commission as a B-26 Marauder pilot in June 1944. He was assigned to the 323rd Bombardment Group, 456th Squadron, with the 9th Air Corps Group. 1st Lt. Arthur S. Pakula completed 63 combat missions and was discharged on August 1, 1945.

Connections

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Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: The Gremlin II
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Squadron 456th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Hell's Belle" of the 453rd Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Appears to be 453BS/323BG although Hell's Belle is 386 name. AFM.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Hell's Belle
  • Unit: 456th Bomb Squadron
Ground personnel of the 323rd Bomb Group tow a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34969) nicknamed "Crew 13". Image via G Spradling. Written on duplicate slide: 'Single engine return, Laon, France, Dec 1944.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Crew 13
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Ole 33 Gal
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Buzzin Huzzy
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 456th Bomb Squadron

Places

media-33836.pdf (2.62 MB) Document 33836 The Columbus Army Flying School, Columbus, Mississippi
Graduation announcement for Class 44-B
Tuesday, February 8th, 1944

Document provided by next-of-kin of graduate of Class 44-B

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Kaye Field

Revisions

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Contributorjmoore43
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Removed extra info in the "Role/job" field.

 

Date
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Military record and report of separation certificate of service for Arthur S. Pakula (0-819703) 1 Aug. 1945.

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Jackie Pakula Fitzgerald is the source of this information from 1st Lt. Arthur S. Pakula's pilot flight logs and family news paper clippings. She is the daughter of 1st Lt. Arthur S. Pakula. (1923-1997)

Date
ContributorJMF
Changes
Sources

JMF

Arthur S Pakula: Gallery (5 items)