Clarence H Weckesser
MilitaryBlack Sunday - Ploesti - Michael Hill
SSgt. Clarence Weckesser was the flight engineer and top turret gunner on the B-24D, named, Kickapoo, in the 9th Air force, the 98th Bomb Group, called "The Pyramiders", and the 344th Bomb Squadron out of Benghazi, Libya, in 1942 and 1943. He flew on, Operation Tidal Wave, to Ploesti, Romania, after being reassigned to fly on Col. John R. "Killer" Kane's Lead airplane, Hail Columbia, with his entire crew from, Kickapoo, including his pilot, Lt. John S. Young. His life was spared when, Kickapoo, lost an engine and crashed in flames taking off for the Ploesti mission, killing all but two of it's replacement crew.
SSgt. Weckesser and all of, Hail Columbia's, crew survived the Ploesti mission with minor injuries from flak splinters. SSgt. Weckesser received the Distinguished flying Cross for his contribution on Operation Tidal Wave, Aug 1, 1943.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-29680
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer / Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 344th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16023226 / O-54160
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Revisions
The 98th Bomb Group - 344th Bomb Squadron - SSgt Clarence H Weckesser