William Downs Buchanan

Military
media-14213.jpeg UPL 14213 B-24D Liberator, 42-40102, Old Baldy, was lost near it's target at Ploesti, Romania. An AA flak round hit the pilot compartment, instantly killing the pilot, 1st Lt John J Dore. All crewmembers were killed in action. 10 KIA. MACR 223.

Rear L-R: Frank Norris, Joe Finneran, Worthington Franks, Will D Buchanan, John J Dore.
Front L-R: Max Lower, Joe Iosco, Stan Packer, Wes Jones

Added details. - Kickapoo

Object Number - UPL 14213 - B-24D Liberator, 42-40102, Old Baldy, was lost near it's target at Ploesti, Romania. An AA flak round hit the pilot compartment, instantly...

Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. John Dore crew. Missed the Ploesti oil refinery due to dysentery. ETD





Awards: DFC, AM (OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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

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: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11010920 / O-437913
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

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

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Philadelphia, PA 4 April 1916 Son of James Madison and Lillian [McBride] Buchanan.

Enlisted

12 December 1941

Other

Discharged USAAF

2 December 1946 Honourable discharge.

Died

Kirkland, WA 21 March 2007

Buried

4 June 2007 Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia

Other

Based

Libya Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.

William Downs Buchanan: Gallery (3 items)