Re: 8th A.F., 2nd Air Div., 466 Bomb Group, 786th Bomb Squadron

Subject:

Comments:: I am also looking for information on someone from 466th Bomb Group/786th Bomb Squadron - my uncle, Eugene A. Long. While our family has little information other than his being killed over Germany on April 11, 1944, I believe this was his group as I found a record of a crewmember (I have a crew photo with names/hometowns) that was killed on the same day as my uncle. You mentioned that you had a photo of the Jan 44 graduating class with names. Could you possibly verify if my uncle is among the graduates? I would appreciate any information you can provide. : Thank you for any insight you can provide. : Susan : : : I am looking for information about my Dad, Thomas Balbo(deceased). He was from Cleveland, OH. He was a B24 Navigator with the subject group flying missions from 3-8-45 through 4-9-45. His pilot was Lt. James R. Hinrichs. : : : This crew lost a plane on 3-14-45 (over Belgium) but all of the crew survived and were back in action 2 weeks later. : : : I would like to find out who the other crew members were (I have a photo I can email to verify), what the knickname of their first plane was and second plane. : : : Any personal memories of him would also be great. : : : He did his preflight in San Antonio TX, Adv Nav at Ellington Fld, TX, and CTD Univ of FL-Gainsville. : : : I also have a Photo showing the entire OTC (CTD) graduating class from JAN 44 out of University of Florida, Gainsville with all of the names if anyone is interested. : : : Thank you. : : I did a search through the list of 466th Bomb Group B-24s that I have and found only one that failed to return and landed on the continent on 14 March 1945. Unfortunately, there is nothing to tell you except the serial number--42-50503 X. Not even the squadron or anything about the pilot or crew and no MACR since they went down in occupied territory. This might not even be the right plane but I tend to think it is. : : Post your question on the 446th Bomb Group forum at www.armyairforces.com/dbgroups.asp?Group=278 : : Also look for a post about 466th Association, Website and Reunions. There will be some contacts and links there that may be helpful. Possibly some of the crew may be active members of the association and you get their addresses from the secretary, assuming that you know any more names that that of Lt. Hinrichs. Good luck. : : Vic

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: