Raymond Albert Betcher

Military
An airman of the 467th Bomb Group is congratulated by a senior USAAF officer standing by a B-24 Liberator. media-380795.jpg FRE 1988 "Witchcraft" 100 mission celebration. Sgt. Raymond Betcher a member of the maintenance ground crew of B-24H-15 FO 42-52534 " Witchcraft" receives his certificate of Meritorious service signed by General Peck and presented by Major General William E. Kepner, Commanding General of the Second Air Division, on the occasion of completion by "Witchcraft" of 100 missions with no aborts through any form of mechanical problem. "Witchcraft" went on to complete a total of 130 missions without an abort becoming one of the most celebrated aircraft in 8th Airforce history. Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1988 - "Witchcraft" 100 mission celebration. Sgt. Raymond Betcher a member of the maintenance ground crew of B-24H-15 FO 42-52534 " Witchcraft" receives his...

Mechanic on 'Witchcraft' which flew 130 non abort missions over Europe during WWII. Named his engine "Doris + ?". (Ray's wife was pregnant at the time he named the engine!) For more info, Google "Ray Betcher Witchcraft" for several news articles and a CBS video.

Connections

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Units served with

Two airmen of the 466th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation
Unofficial emblem of the 467th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-705345
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Gunner
Master Sergeant Joe Ramirez, Captain Joe Jetter, Sergeant Ray Betcher and Staff Sergeant Geo Dong of the 467th Bomb Group with a B-24 Liberator (Q2-M_, serial number 42-52534) nicknamed "Witchcraft". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'M/Sgt Joe Ramirez, Cpt Joe Vetter, Sgt Ray Betcher, S/Sgt Geo Dong. 467 BG, 13/4/44.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Air Division 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Assistant Crew Chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-24763
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Squadron Commander

Aircraft

A B-24 Liberator (Q2-M_, serial number 42-52534) nicknamed "Witchcraft" of the 467th Bomb Group in flight.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Witchcraft
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Perils of Pauline" of the 467th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '467 B.G., 8th Air Force.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Perils Of Pauline
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Detroit, Michigan 23 March 1922

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Nancy (Betcher) Davis aka "Daughter of the Witchcraft"

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Nancy (Betcher) Davis aka "Daughter of Witchcraft"

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Nancy (Betcher) Davis

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Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Healy, 3rd ed. & Unit history /self & MACR 5496 & SECOND AIR DIVISION by Turner Publishing Company, D790.A2S45, 1998, page 208

Raymond Albert Betcher: Gallery (3 items)