My dad was a B-24 Pilot. He flew 16 missions with the 446th, 704th out of Bungay England from Nov ’43 through mid-March ’44 after which he was reassigned to the 449th 716th at Grotaglie, It. where he flew another 24 missions through D-Day. He left a detailed Pilot Log that allowed me to track his flights and match many of his combat missions with the trove of information that you present on this web-site, for which I am grateful. I’d love to find some more info and photos of him, his crew, and aircraft.

Tom O’Connor
Demarest, NJ

My grandaddy was the engineer and top turret gunner on B-24 Liberator named Miss De Flak. He flew missions over the Ploesti Oil Fields. The missions were very dangerous and “Coming home is secondary” was the understood mission motto. I have a story of them almost shooting their own tail off and having to lighten the load on another mission to make it back. Grandaddy threw everything out but the tools he needed to unbolt the bomb doors. He let those go and then threw out the tools in his hands. He was stationed in Grotagglie, Italy and his tent mates and him had a monkey they made a pet out of. I miss my grandaddy so much. Sharing his story makes my heart so happy.

Shirlee Smith
Olive Branch, MS

My Father was a the Navigator on the Miss Lee, original cadre ship . MACR 2398. POW Stalag Luft 1 until May 1, 1945. Retired his Commission March 1946 Went back to work at Philco where he was an Industrial Engineer in the Government Contracting Division. He designed the assembly lines for the Nose Cone of the Sidewinder Missile. He moved into the Financial Sector when Ford acquired Philco and it became Ford Aero-Space. He worked closely with the NSA & CIA as supplier of their Crypto Equipment and was instrumental in the sale and design of the Computers used by NASA for the Moon Landing. Sadly he was killed in a car accident at age 63 on his way to work just 16 months from his planned retirement.
He rarely spoke about the missions, he only told stories of the good times he experienced during training and funny things that happened on the ground.

Charles V. McGill, Jr
Worcester, PA

Uncle Jim was a hero to me.  He taught me to sail and was the kindest man I’ve ever met.my father who is deceased would tell me stories of his bombing missions piloting a B 24.  What bravery!

Robert Freeh
Fremont, OH

Richard Charles Blaisdell formerly of Arlington Heights Private memorial services were held for Richard Charles Blaisdell, 87, of Sarasota, Fla., Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, at his residence in Florida. Born March 9, 1916, in Urbana, Ill., the only son of Elsie Mary and Ora Otis Blaisdell, he passed away peacefully, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, at his home. Mr. Blaisdell was a veteran of World War II and was a captain and member of the 449th Bomb Group, based in Grottaglie, Italy. He served as lead Bombardier of this group. Richard was employed by the Midwest Service Company of Chicago. He married Beatrice Jensen in the Christian Church on the University of Illinois Campus at Campaign, and on June 13, 2003, they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary, at their home in Sarasota. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice (nee Jensen) Blaisdell of Sarasota; son, Randall Chase Blaisdell of Louisville, Ky.; and sister, Mary B. Caldwell of Fountain Hills, Ariz. In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his sisters, Patricia Marie, Dorothy Alberta and Vesta Juanita Blaisdell, and Norma Joan Murray.

Tom Jackson
Gaithersburg, MD

David MacKensie
Seattle, WA

My Grandfather was a War hero to me! He was in the 15th Army Air Forces 449th Flying Horseman 718th bombardment Squadron! He flew the 5th mission on “Hoppy”. He was left waist gunner of the B-24-H aircraft #34. Bailout 15,000 ft. He was MIA near Split, Yugoslavia. He eventually was taken as prisoner. He survived some how and not sure when he made it back! He has a Purple heart that was issued to him while in a VA hospital by President Regan. He unfortunately passed on August 5th 1981. I was only 11 years old. His funeral I will never forget the Jet Air fighters that flew over in memory for him! He definitely went threw a lot we may not understand. I honor him for fighting for our country! I’m a true Patriot because of him!

Jennifer Spinelli
Rochester, NY

My father is said to have completed 51 missions piloting B_24s in Europe. 6 of the mission s were bombing runs to Ploesti oil fields. He continued as an Air Force officer until 1969 when he retired. He then became the chief pilot for the University of Texas Board of Regents. He and my mother Margaret raised 4 daughters.

Martha Madsen
Alaska

Doing research on my mother’s first husband, Robert W. Laine, SSgt. He gave mom a son, and me a brother, Robert W. Laine Jr., who has now joined his father KIA. It was humbling to find the information and I wish my mother were alive to know what I found. Very Proud and Thankful of these men!

With humble regards, thank you for making this information publicly available.

Curtis T Grubbs,
USAF, SMSgt, Retired
Fort Worth, TX

Marcelino Huerta is a descendant of Spanish emigrants in Florida. I have detailed information on the family background to expand his biography and contribute to the memory of all those pilots and crew of Asturian origin in northern Spain during World War II

Vicente Suarez
Oviedo – Asturias, Spain