Darrell Ward Latch
MilitaryKneeling: S/SGT James A. Michaelson – G; S/SGT Lawrence R. Matson – Armorer/WG; S/SGT Darrell W. Latch – G
Missing: 2LT Walter M. Cline -- N; S/SGT Donald R. Conway -- FE
Winter 1944, Horsham St. Faith
The aircraft behind the crew is likely B-24J-5 FO, 42-50768, ARISE MY LOVE AND COME WITH ME. If so, this photo would have been taken just after either mission no. 21 on 30 October 1944 to Hamburg or mission no. 22 on 5 November 1944 to Karlsruhe.
Born 13 Nov 1924 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois; sent by draft board in March 1943 to army induction center for possible induction; entered service the same month; trained at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri; Franklin Technical Institue in Boston, Massachusetts; Peterson Field, Colorado; and Tonopah, Nevada; sent overseas January 1944; assigned as aerial gunner on a B-24 Liberator piloted by Captain Charles S. "Sam" Evans; completed 25 (of the 30 required) combat missions as of 1 December 1944; discharged at Scott Field, Illinois, September 1945.
He was a budding musician, playing in both his high school band and orchestra, and was also in at least one high school play. After his service, he was employed primarily in the insurance industry.
Died 30 Mar 1997 in Omaha, Nebraska, at age 72.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron 755th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-664988
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Spotted Ass Ape : Dixie Belle II : Wonder Bread
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 754th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Breezy Lady/Superman/Marie
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 859th Bomb Squadron 752nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: A Dog's Life
- Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 18 August 1944
- Date: 20 July 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Illinois, USA | 13 November 1924 | |
Enlisted |
Peoria, IL, USA | 9 March 1943 | |
Died |
Omaha, NE, USA | 30 March 1997 | |
Buried |
Omaha, NE, USA | 2 April 1997 | Hillcrest/Westlawn Cemetery 5701 Center Street Omaha, NE 68106 |
Macon County, IL, USA |
Revisions
Decatur (Illinois) Daily Review, 2 Mar 1943; 27 Jul 1943; 28 Dec 1944; 8 Mar 1945; 26 Sep 1945
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http://www.458bg.com/crewevans
http://interactive.ancestry.com/1265/43135_b170690_00088?pid=356658672&…
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Decatur (Illinois) Daily Review 17 Jan 1943; 2 Mar 1943; 27 Jul 1943; 28 Dec 1944; 8 Mar 1945; 26 Sep 1945
http://www.458bg.com/crewevans
Decatur (Illinois) Daily Review, 17 Jan 1943; 2 Mar 1943; 28 Dec 1944; 8 Mar 1945; 26 Sep 1945
http://www.458bg.com/crewevans
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Page 326 in the book SECOND AIR DIVISION by Turner Publishing Company, 1998 edition, D790.A2S45