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| USAAF 5th AF 22nd BG 408th BS Former Assignment 18th RS |
Pilot 1st Lt. John C. O'Donnell (survived) Force Landed May 20, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26 Marauder serial number 40-1405. Wartime History During early April 1942, assigned to 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (18th RS). Assigned to pilot 1st Lt. John C. O'Donnell who nicknamed the plane "Goosie Lucy" for his girlfriend named Lucy and was painted on the plane by the crew. Ferried overseas by O'Donnell via Hickam Field then across the Pacific via Palmyra, Nadi then onward to Australia arriving at Amberly Field. On April 15, 1942 took off from Hickam Field piloted by 1st Lt. John C. O'Donnell as one of three B-26 Marauders of "B" Flight with Lt. Ralph Michaelis and Lt John Augustine on a ferry flight bound for Palmyra Airfield on the first leg across the Pacific bound for Australia but as they reached the point of no return were recalled due to severe weather. On April 18, 1942 the same three B-26s departed Hickam Field on the ferry flight flying via Palmyra Airfield to Nadi Airfield where B-26 pilot Lt. Michaelis had engine problems and remained for repairs while the two others proceed to Brisbane. The regular crew included pilot 1st Lt. John C. O'Donnell, co-pilot 2nd Lt. Leslie O. Skipper, bombardier 2nd Lt. Roy L. Callaway, navigator 2nd Lt. Charles J. Lyness, engineer SSgt Royal K. Bradford, radio TSgt James R. Brooks and tail gunner Cpl Ivan W. Henderson. On April 22, 1942 the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (18th RS) was redesignated the 408th Bombardment Squadron (408th BS). Mission History On May 20, 1942 took off from at Reid River Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. John C. O'Donnell a test flight and experienced issues and belly landed without injury to anyone aboard. Afterwards, written off due to the damage. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Afterwards, he was assigned to B-26 "Calamity Charlie" 40-1436. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26 40-1405 Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 504 (18th RS/408th BS 40-1405), 516 (nickname), 558 (force landing), 610 (index Goosie Lucy) Thanks to John C. O'Donnell (son) for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated January 22, 2025 |
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