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Second Lieutenant James Burch. Co-Pilot, 385th Bomb Group. Born and raised in Kaufman County, Texas, Jim Burch studied for 2 years at the Terrell High School and began working as a salesman in a retail grocery in Terrell, Texas. Enlisting in April 1942, h
Died 24 December 1943
American Air Museum

BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY ESCORT MISSION SCOUTING MISSION INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AIRFIELD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AIRFIELD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AIRFIELD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AIRFIELD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AIRFIEL
Mission date: 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

First Lieutenant Guy Cole. Bombardier, 447th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA) crashed near Prum in B-17 #448355 In the Missing Air Crew Report for the aircraft (MACR 11119), Guy Cole's next of kin is listed as Mrs. Alicia E Cole of Cagnac, Puerto
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Flight Officer Joseph Shuster. Navigator, 487th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA) 24 December 1944. Killed in Action (KIA) when B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters and crashed in Belgi
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Lieutenant Oscar Eshleman. Pilot, Co-Pilot, 487th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA). B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' Exploded in air after being hit by enemy aircraft fire.
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Second Lieutenant Kenneth Mix. Fighter Pilot, Pilot, 55th Fighter Group. Killed in Action (KIA) near Gerolstein in P-51 'Miss Marilyn' #4413837
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Second Lieutenant Miles King. Pilot, 447th Bomb Group. KIA crashed near Prum in B-17 #448355 Purple Heart, Air Medal
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Sergeant Roland Grubbs. Left Waist Gunner, 448th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA) near Namur in B-24 'Lady Lora' #4250799 Sergeant Roland L. Grubbs was born June 21, 1921. His wife was Alma Grubbs, and his parents were Jennings and Frieda Gru
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) Benedict Andrew. Flight Engineer, 487th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA) when B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willie' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters.
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) George Ferenchak. Radio Operator, 487th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA). B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters. Exploded in air after being hit
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) James Naughton. Tail Gunner, 487th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA) when B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Staff Sergeant Reuben Baganz. Ball Turret Gunner, 487th Bomb Group. Killed in Action (KIA) when B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters on 24 Dec 1944.
Died 24 December 1944
American Air Museum

Brigadier General Walter Peck. Pilot; Commanding Officer, 458th Bomb Group. BRIGADIER GENERAL WALTER R. PECK Died December 24,1965 Walter Raymond Peck was born Jan. 15, 1896, in Lima, Ohio. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y
Died 24 December 1965
American Air Museum

First Lieutenant Henry Ayres. Pilot, 4th Fighter Group. Joined RAFVR, assigned to 133S, transferred to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF Shot down by fighters on 28 Jul 43 in P-47 41-6238 near Gouda, Holland. Ayres was injured and taken to hospital. Prisoner of War (
Died 24 December 1971
American Air Museum

Technical Sergeant Robert Carlson. Top Turret Gunner, 452nd Bomb Group. Shot down 9 April 1944 in B-17 #42-399974 'Punchboard'. Prisoner of War (POW). POW
Died 24 December 1971
American Air Museum

Captain Adrian Poletti. Chaplain, 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers. Catholic. He married about seventy soldiers of the 306th and attached units. He was ordained a priest on 28 April 1934. He was assigned to the 306th on 08 October 1942. Presidentia
Died 24 December 1980
American Air Museum

Sergeant (Technician Fourth Grade) George Vickers. Ground Crew Aircraft Mechanic, 466th Bomb Group. While Vickers is listed as a member of the 784th BS Engineering Section as an aircraft mechanic, he may have flown practice and/or combat missions as he se
Died 24 December 1989
American Air Museum

Second Lieutenant Matthew McEvoy. Pilot, 381st Bomb Group. Matthew J McEvoy served as a pilot with the 381st Bomb Group from Ridgewell, Essex. He was shot down by fighters on mission to Oscherleben on 11 January 1944 in B-17F #42-29999 'Fertile Myrt
Died 24 December 1990
American Air Museum

First Lieutenant Lawrence Barrett. Fighter Pilot, 339th Fighter Group. Assigned to 504FS, 339FG, 8AF USAAF. Completed tour of duty 21-Apr-45. Awards: WWII Victory EAME.
Died 24 December 1997
American Air Museum

Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) Wilbur Whiting. Parachute Rigger, 466th Bomb Group. In addition to his parachute duties, Whiting was a nose art artist, painting the nose art for "Lady Lightning" among others.
Died 24 December 2006
American Air Museum

Staff Sergeant Frank Schick. , 384th Bomb Group. Shot down in B-17 44-6512 on 16 November 1944. He bailed out and became a POW. Missing Air Crew Report #10448.
Died 24 December 2007
American Air Museum