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| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 65th BS   65th BS March 2, 1944 |
Pilot Captain Steve L. Johannes (survived) Carbon County, PA Damaged July 1, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego. Constructors Number 2301. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-150-CO Liberator serial number 42-41224. Ferried via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving October 18, 1943. Wartime History During October 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) "Ken's Men", 65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS). This B-24 operated from 7 Mile Drone near Port Moresby and flew at least twenty combat missions over New Guinea while unnamed. Nicknamed "Lucky Lucille" with the nose art of a reclining blonde woman with her arms extended wearing a a night gown and high heels. On the left side of the nose below the cockpit was a scoreboard of missions flown. Assigned to crew chief Gaula. In early 1944, operated from Nadzab Airfield and continued flying bombing missions. On March 2, 1944 crews posed for photos with this bomber parked at Nadzab Airfield. Mission History On July 1, 1944 took off piloted by Captain Steve Johannes from 403rd BS loaded with personnel being flown back to the United States and made a rough landing at Milne Bay that collapsed the left landing gear and impacted the left flap. There were no injuries to the crew but afterwards the bomber was written off. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Steve L. Johannes USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-150-CO Liberator 42-41224 Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 67 (photo), 127 (photo), 229 (profile no. 11), 236 (profile no. 11 detail), 375 (65th BS, 42-41224), 410-411 (Profile no. 11 description), 451 (index Lucky Lucille) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 28, 2026 |
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