42-7884 Reggie's Reply / Lucky, Donnie Boy
Named after Godfrey's brother, who had perished during the Battle of the Atlantic, this aircraft alson bore the name LUCKY and an artwork of a dog on the port side of its engine cowling. 'Lucky' was the name of Godfrey's dog.
Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.
P-47D Thunderbolt 42-7884, was 2nd Lt John Godfrey's first 'REGGIE'S REPLY', which he inherited from his future flight leader 1st Lt. Don Gentile who reportedly took the "Donnie Boy" artwork cowling with him to 42-8659.
Named after Godfrey's brother, who had perished in the Battle of the Atlantic, it also bore the name 'LUCKY' and an artwork of a dog on the port side of its engine cowling. 'Lucky' was the name of Godfrey's dog. Godfrey first flew it in combat on 27 Sep 1943 and last flew it prior to Mar 1944 when the 4th FG converted to Mustangs.
Failed to Return (FTR) from providing air cover for an armoured column. Hit by return fire strafing a tank and armoured car, A/C exploded and crashed, 31-Jul-44. 1st Lt Robert W Huse KIA.
MACR 7933.
Godfrey would claim 1.5 kills and one probable (all Bf 109s) in this aircraft in late 1943.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885109
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 336th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885950
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: Austrian
- Unit: 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-796149
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 336th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Crew Chief
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Donnie Boy
- Unit: 358th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 367th Fighter Squadron
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
Between Avranches and Mortain, France | 31 July 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) from providing air cover for an armoured column. Hit by return fire strafing a tank and armoured car, A/C exploded and crashed, 31-Jul-44. 1st Lt Robert W Huse KIA. Macr 7933. |
Revisions
Godfrey's 1st combat: “Two-Man Air Force: Don Gentile and John Godfrey, World War II Flying Aces”, Philip Kaplan (2006)
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- Associated person from MACR 7933 http://www.fold3.com/image/28664804/;
Added new aircraft and connections from :
- Little Friends at http://www.littlefriends.co.uk
- MACR 7933 at http://www.fold3.com/image/28664804/;
- Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.
Added 42-7884 in order to correct photo caption claiming it to be a P-51.