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Bernard N. Thompson
9th Air Force, 387th Bomb Group, 559th Bomb Squadron ETO
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Bernard and crew MacDill Field Tampa, Fl. Summer 1943 From left to right 1. Thompson, B.N. 1st Lt. - Pilot 2. Gibons, R.M. 2nd Lt. - Co-Pilot 3. Hartley, J. 2nd Lt. - Co-Pilot 4. Lerman, I.M. 2nd Lt. - Bombardier - Navigator 5. Ickes, K.D. S/SGT. - Engineer 6. Roth, F.W. S/SG. - Radio Operator 7. Larson, J.B. S/SG. - Tail Gunner |
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I was looking at the "Nose Art" on a B26 web Site and there was a picture of "King Size", my brother's plane with his copilot, Charles R. Esparza pointing out the right window at flack Damage on his side of the plane that was sustained during a mission. That picture reportedly was taken Sept. 2, 1943. Bernard was badly Wounded the first part of Sept. '43 on his 4th mission. Bernard flew in the 9th Air Force, 387 BG 559BS ETO. His plane (King Size) was named by him – he was 6' 5" and because of his height had to join the RCAF to get into flying training in 1942 and transferred back to the US later. The nose art on his plane was applied at Detroit after he picked up the plane at the factory. He then flew it over the North Atlantic stopping at Reykjevik, Iceland on the way to England and the war. He arrived in England about June 1943. Bernard went on to fly a total of 50 missions and 10 sorties and was ground liaison later in France. He died Feb. 1, 1998. Arnold Thompson |
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