Thomas Charles Welch
MilitaryAssigned to 734BS, 453BG, 8AF USAAF. On 17-Oct-44 on mission to Cologne (22nd mission) in B-24 42-95312, A/C received flak damage causing fuel to leak. After 3 engines quit crew baled out inside friendly lines and all returned to duty RTD. 35 x combat missions completed. ETD
Awards: AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A bomber crew of the 453rd Bomb Group wait on a jeep. Letter enclosed with print: '[Left to Right] James E Terwilliger- Waist Gunner, Luhter M Clark- Co-pilot, Carl Powell- Navigator, Lattie P Head- Nose Gunner, Nicholas Radosevich- Pilot, Edmund M Survilla- Tail Gunner, Lt ? Lee- Bombardier (Robert Burgess was the Bombardier on the original crew), Joseph D Craft- Radio operator, Robert Victor- Waist Gunner, Robert O Hanson- Engineer- Top Turret. Original Cadre- Model (Crew #41) 734th Squadron, 453rd Bomb](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380672.jpg.webp?itok=L5hegKpe)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19128611 / O-699686
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Lucky Penny
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Washington, PA | 27 May 1920 | Son of Charles M and Pearl L [Birch] Welch. |
|
Other Baled out RTD |
Spa, Belgium | 17 October 1944 | On 17-Oct-44 on mission to Cologne in B-24 42-95312, AC received flak damage causing fuel to leak. After 3 engines quit crew baled out inside friendly lines and all returned to duty RTD. |
|
Died |
Lighthouse Point, FL | 30 January 1998 | |
|
Based |
Old Buckenham | Assigned to 734BS, 453BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
|
Enlisted |
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Enlistment Date 23 Oct 1942 |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/141073783
https://www.fold3.com/image/545285572
https://www.fold3.com/record/19142373/thomas-c-welch-social-security-de…
https://www.fold3.com/record/83840643/thomas-c-welch-wwii-army-enlistme…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198238458/pearl-l-welch
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198238380/charles-m-welch
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The Liberator Men of Old Buc