Donald Di Coscoe

Military
media-14353.jpeg UPL 14353 The flight crew poses in front of the B-24D Liberator, 41-11817, Stinger, in the 415th Bomb Squadron - the 98th Bomb Group - and the 9th Air Force. Flown on Operation Tidal wave over Ploesti, Romania. Pilot Lt. Andrew Opsata, and CoPilot Lt. Louis Quaglino, with their Bombardier, Lt. Donald Di Coscoe, and Bombardier, Lt. Howard LaLonde, launched from Benghazi, Libya, on the Ploesti mission and successfully returned with only 1 crew member, Gunner SSgt, John Gormey, wounded. WIA. Aug 1, 1943.

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11817 - Stinger

Object Number - UPL 14353 - The flight crew poses in front of the B-24D Liberator, 41-11817, Stinger, in the 415th Bomb Squadron - the 98th Bomb Group - and the 9th Air...

Lt. Donold Di Coscoe was a B-24D bombardier on the B-24D Liberator, 41-11817, Stinger, assigned (TDY) to the 415th Bomb Squadron, the 98th Bomb Group, in the 9th Air Force. He participated in Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission to destroy the Ploesti oil refineries, returning safely to Libya with only one crew member WIA. 1-Aug-43.



Awards: Air Medal - Distinguished Flying Cross - WWII Victory Medal - European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Connections

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

Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35027471 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: B-24D Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32160105 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Stinger
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Soluch Airfield
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Berka, al Birkah
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Bengazi Airfield, Wheelus Airbase

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Bombardier of B-24 41-11817 'Stinger' participated in the 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid returning safely to Libya with only one crewmember WIA.

Other

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya Assigned to 415BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

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ContributorKickapoo
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Wording. - Kickapoo

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Detail added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Wording. - Kickapoo

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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USAAF Photo.
Removed circular connection

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details. - Kickapoo

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Details, spelling. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Spelling, details added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Added details, awards. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Details, awards added. - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Added name. - Kickapoo

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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USAAF Photo.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added a space to the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added connections to the 415 BS & 98 BG mentioned in the events section.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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USAAF Photo.

Donald Di Coscoe: Gallery (3 items)