Arlie James Blood
Military
405th FG - 510th FS - 9th AF
Chris Brassfield
Object Number - UPL 38064 - P-47D-20-RE #42-76553 "The Bug" Code: 2Z-B 405th FG - 510th FS - 9th AF
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: The Bug
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 510th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
![A B-24 Liberator of the 392nd Bomb Group successfully bombs an airfield near St Dizier, France. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], '7 Jun 1944.' [stamp] Printed caption on reverse: 'NYP 21841 (KY). US PLANES BLAST GERMAN AIRFIELD IN FRANCE. A Liberator bomber of the Eighth US Army Air Force heads for its home base after helping to blast a German Airfield near St Dizier, in occupied France, where administrative building (upper right) burn fiercely and bombs explode on the dispersal area (](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380473.jpg.webp?itok=N7LVKsFH)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Robinson Air Base
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Little Falls, Minnesota | 30 December 1915 | |
|
Enlisted |
Los Angeles, California | 18 March 1942 | |
|
Other Shot Down/Evaded |
9 miles east of Ladevant, France | 24 May 1944 | On 24th May 1944, "The Bug" took off from Christchurch on a strafing mission in the region of Vannes, France, but was shot down by flak 9 miles east of Ladevant, France. 1Lt Blood had just strafed a train, destroying the locomotive. He was forced to bail out at 3000ft and initially evaded but was caught later on 16 June while fighting with the Resistance. In July he escaped from a prison train, rejoined the Resistance and eventually returned to England in October 1944. |
|
Died |
Canyon Lake, California | 14 May 2014 | Arlie J. Blood, U.S. Air Force Colonel, ret., was born on December 30, 1915 in Little Falls, Minnesota to James Blood and Minnie (Roneson) Blood. He entered eternal life on May 14, 2014, at home and surrounded by his family at the age of 98. Arlie was born in a log cabin in Minnesota. After losing his mother before his second birthday, Arlie lived with several different family members throughout his young years. He came very close to death several times in his life including contracting diphtheria at the age of 7 and almost freezing to death, literally, when he got caught in a blizzard at 13. Arlie met the love of his life, Lucille, as she was out looking for her lost dog. They were living in the Los Angeles area at the time. Lucille was six years younger than Arlie and still in high school, so he patiently waited until she graduated before asking for her hand in marriage. They were married on February 16, 1941. Arlie was working for North American Aviation at the time. Later that year, Pearl Harbor was bombed and the young couple's first son was born. Arlie immediately applied to join the Army Air Corps and help his country. While serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Arlie was shot down over France and evaded capture with help from the French Underground before fighting with the French Resistance. He later became a prisoner of war and was almost killed by the Germans; but escaped and helped liberate two French towns in the process. Although Arlie and Lucille bought Canyon Lake property in 1968, at its inception, they lived in Taiwan due to Arlie's job with Northrop. They finally had their home built on the property in 1978, but purchased a waterfront home in 1980 at Arlie's retirement, where they lived ever since. |
|
Buried |
Riverside National Cemetery, California | 29 May 2014 | Riverside National Cemetery Riverside, California, USA |