42-7766 - Heavy Date

media-54850.jpeg UPL 54850 B-24H - 42-7766, Heavy Date. Lost over Germany. Pilot Eldon Colby (POW). Lost over Germany. 30 Dec 1943. MACR 1974.

Added details. - Kickapoo

Object Number - UPL 54850 - B-24H - 42-7766, Heavy Date. Lost over Germany. Pilot Eldon Colby (POW). Lost over Germany. 30 Dec 1943. MACR 1974.

Pilot 1st Lt. Eldon Neil Colby flew the B-24H, 42-7766, Heavy Date, on 8 missions, including the one he was shot down on by ME-110's near Charleville on the France/German border, on a raid to Ludwigshafenon. CoPilot Lt. Roger Taylor was KIA on that mission. Navigator Lt. Darwin Rasmussen and Flight Engineer Leonard Grima evaded capture with the help of the French resistance and finally made it back to England and returned to duty (RTD). The rest of the crew became POW's, including Lt. Eldon Colby, who sat out the rest of the war at Stalagluft 1 in Barth, Germany. Released 1945. Dec 30, 1943.



Standing (L-R)

CoPilot - Roger Taylor - KIA

Navigator - Darwin Rasmussen - POW

Bombardier - Robert Hosier - POW

Pilot - Eldon Neil Colby - POW - REL - 1945





Kneeling (L-R)

Waist Gunner - Joe Bagdonis - POW

Top Turret/Engineer - Tom Grima - POW

Radio Operator - Richard Peterson - POW

Tail Gunner - Leonard Grima - RTS

Waist Gunner - Stan Vaughn - POW

Ball Turret Gunner - Robert Pipkin - POW

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-740749
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Missions

Aircraft

An airman of the 389th Bomb Group with the nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-40506) nicknamed "Fightin' Sam".
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Fightin Sam
  • Unit: VIII Bomber Command 389th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron 859th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - The Oklahoman
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Touch of Texas
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Heavy Date
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Belgium 30 December 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Details added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24H - 42-7766 - Heavy Date

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Details added. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Details added. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Added details. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Added details. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 42 - 7766 - Heavy Date

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
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Best Web - B-24 - 42 - 7766 - Heavy Date

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 42-7766

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Spelling, punctuation, spacing, and word changes for accuracy and clarity - KICKAPOO

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 42-7766 - 'HEAVY DATE'

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 1974 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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