Morton O Stafford Jr

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-26423.jpeg UPL 26423 Morton O. Stafford Jr., 93rd Bomb Group

Snippet from 93rd Bomb Group unit history - see https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/25117

Object Number - UPL 26423 - Morton O. Stafford Jr., 93rd Bomb Group

Killed in action on 1 August 1943 during Operation Tidal wave onboard B-24 Liberator, Hell's Wench, 42-40994.



Dispatched to North Africa in 1943 with the 93rd Bomb Group to take part in Operation Tidal Wave. Part of the crew of B-24 Liberator, Hell's Wench, 42-40994. Upon reaching the target area, Col Keith Compton the leader of the 93rd and 376th Bomb Groups, deliberately turned at the wrong IP away from Ploesti, and headed for Bucharest. The pilots following him broke radio silence and attempted to warn the element lead pilot Compton and the mission commander, on board, General Uzal Ent, but when they both failed to respond, Col. Baker broke formation and led the remainder of the two Bomb Groups, who wanted to attack the refinery area, back north and west toward Ploesti.



On approach to the target, Hell's Wench, was hit twice by flak rounds. Col. Baker jettisoned his bombs as both wings were hit, and the aircraft began leaking fuel, and became engulfed in flames. At almost the same time, the aircraft had to break formation and pull up to give his men a chance to bail out and save themselves.



But in spite of all of his attempts to gain altitude, Hell's Wench, lost speed in the climb, rolled over, crashed, and exploded in flames, killing everyone aboard. 1 Aug 1943.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11021584
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group Headquarters (93rd Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-280827
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer 93rd - Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17037959
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11019924
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18070690
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Hell's Wench
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

1 August 1943

Born

Pennsylvania

Buried

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Black Sunday - Michael hill

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

ABMC MACR 331 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Morton O Stafford: Gallery (2 items)