Tidalwave, the August 1943 Raid on Ploesti (60th Anniversary 8/1)

Air Force History Support Office ^ | unknown | USAF

[Burn24]

My dad (since deceased) was on this mission, too. Although he never, ever spoke about the war, he did have a Distinguished Flying Cross. Is there an internet site dedicated to these men? He was a tail gunner.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"He was a kind soul and a good man. And he was my father-in-law."


May God Welcome him Home and comfort his family and friends.

I am sorry for your loss drivera462

[okie01]

"My dad (since deceased) was on this mission, too. Although he never, ever spoke about the war, he did have a Distinguished Flying Cross. Is there an internet site dedicated to these men? He was a tail gunner."

Perhaps, you'll find your dad here.

376th Heavy Bombardment Group

My dad was a Seabee on Guadalcanal. And, like yours, he never spoke of his experiences there. We and the country were blessed to have such fathers.

[Consort]

   Ploiesti

[southland]

My DAD is the last WW1 American Legion veteran in Alabama. He was 107 last May... Several States have buried their last WW1 Veteran. He was too old for WW2. The ranks change about every day.

[okie01]

"My DAD is the last WW1 American Legion veteran in Alabama. He was 107 last May..."

Your dad must be tough as a boot. He must be one of the few surviving WW I veterans anywhere. Bless him.

My wife became involved in geneaology research several years ago. And, to her surprise, she discovered that one of her forebearers had been the last surviving veteran of the Revolutionary War.

John Barham (1764-1865).

[VOA]

2d Lt. Kingsley aided the wounded men in bailing out and when last seen by the
crewmembers he was standing on the bomb bay catwalk.

John 15:13

I'm no theologian, but I suspect that the MOH paled in comparison to a more
eternal reward for the 2nd Lt.

[VOA]

Let us pray that there are no more "Lady Be Good"s out there, and that all our
brave airmen are now safely home.

Amen to that.
AND...For the youngsters who might not get the reference on "Lady Be Good":

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/air_power/ap8.htm

that page has a link to a page on "Lady Be Good".

[VOA]

Truly, the Greatest Generation.

(Just a friendly opinion...)
As I watch our volunteers in Iraq, especially when I see a news report about
one who gets back on a plane for Iraq after a few weeks of leave, knowing there
might be a crude road-side bomb, an RPG, or a bullet with his/her name on it...
I think they are now in the process of laying their claim to that title as well.

[VOA]

The B-24 Liberator was always my favorite heavy bomber.

Vesuvian, you may already know about this...
If you have $400 to make a tax-deductible contribution...you can get a ride
in a B-24.
Check the schedule link at the page at this URL:

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_flightexperiences.htm

[Blessed]

If you know what bomb group he was in you can start their. I have found a few mission reports on internet but can't give you a specific sight.

Their is a video of the mission that was made sveral years ago.{"Wing & A Prayer")I picked it up at the Army Air Corps Museum.If you are ever near Savannah it is a great place to visit.Their are also several displays at the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio.

You also might want to checkout your dads books.Bet he has a copy of the book Ploesti.Everyman on the mission is listed in the back.

[Burn24]

Thanks, B. Do you know the authors of the book, Ploesti? I'd like to get a copy for my children.

[Blessed]

Ploesti copywright 1962 by James Dugan and Carroll Stewart
This book has been out of print for 40 years. i have seen a few on E-bay or rare booksellers list for $60 to $120.

Ploesti Black Sunday by Michael Hill copywright 1993 is still available I believe.I know they have it at Air Force Musems.Good pictures.They have many crew pictures as well as all the mission photos. The firstbook devotes about 50% of space to the captured airmen and their story.

Send me your fathers name and home of record and I will see if he is referenced in either book.

[NonValueAdded]

Open letter to the family of Mike Sullivan, B-17 tail gunner 97th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, killed in action 23 June 1944 in air raid on Ploesti, Rumania.

Please contact me again in this forum for an urgent communication.

[cetnickiunuk]

One of the other crewman (Thomas Lovett) passed away after bailing out from the crippled plane (Never a Dull Moment). The Serbian underground not only picked up the survivors, but also provided Lovett with a proper Christian burial among several hundred locals, Royal Yugoslav military and USAAC personnel. A YouTube video about the underground leader (Gen Mihailovich) has a picture of the funeral.

[nkycincinnatikid]

I have been priviledged to know in my lifetime, many older American men associated with the daylight precsion bombing of German military targets. It has taken decades to understand that they were the fortunate few who survived a noble effort to keep America clean,. as their rate of return was grim. They kept Americas war effort noble by their manifold deaths. I am proud to be an American once and for ever because of their unesessary sacrificees to rule in the dogs of war.

[cpgl]

My Dad, Mallie Harper was with the 389BG 566 squandron. Stories state all members of the raid received at least the Silver Star, but I cannot find a record of that. Of course he never spoke of this raid, but he was at Benghazi at that time. Could you look in the book and see if his name is there or he may have missed this raid for some reason.
Thanks,
Steve
cpgl@bellsouth.net

[Zman516]

According to my info, every man who flew the mission was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

I couldn’t find your father’s name in my (very informal) list of men of the 389th who flew the mission, but I salute him and the others for their almost superhuman bravery. They were all heroes.

[Blessed]

Their is no official list of everyone on the mission.Dugan and Stewart pieced together and verified an extensive list for their book.I could not find a Harper on that list.