The Early Years
(12 Jul 1921 -
27 Jan 1942)
Army Air Forces
(28 Jan 1942 -
1 Aug 1943)
Post Ploesti
(2 Aug 1943 -
Present)
Official MOH Citations:
Ole Kickapoo Crew - Aircraft #42-40753 J
Source: Missing Air Crew Reports, Loading List
| Grade | Name | Position | Serial Number | Enlistment City, State | Disposition |
| Second Lieutenant | Lloyd "Pete" Herbert Hughes | Pilot | O-666292 |
San Antonio, Texas |
Killed in Action 1 Aug 1943 |
| Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | O-740807 | Unknown |
Killed in Action 1 Aug 1943 |
|
| Second Lieutenant | Navigator | O-797379 |
New York City, New York |
Died of Wounds 6 Aug 1943 |
|
| Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | O-734948 |
New York City, New York |
Died of Wounds 3 Aug 1943 |
|
| Technical Sergeant | Flight Engineer | 39083291 | Presidio of Monterey, California |
Killed in Action 1 Aug 1943 |
|
| Technical Sergeant | Louis N. Kase | Radio Operator | 33059883 |
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania |
Killed in Action 1 Aug 1943 |
| Staff Sergeant | Edmond H. Smith | Right Waist Gunner and Assistant Engineer | 38069333 |
Camp Wolters, Texas |
Prisoner of War |
| Staff Sergeant | Avis Kenneth Wilson | Ball Gunner and Assistant Radio Operator | 13035110 |
Roanoke, Virginia |
Killed in Action 1 Aug 1943 |
| Staff Sergeant | Malcolm Clay Dalton | Left Waist Gunner | 36264953 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Killed in Action 1 Aug 1943 |
| Staff Sergeant | Thomas Albert Hoff | Tail Gunner | 16131240 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Prisoner of War |
There were ten crew members aboard "Ole Kickapoo" on 1 Aug 1943.
Six were killed in action, two died of their wounds received that day and two became prisoners of war.
Spring 1943 -
Military photo taken at Lowry Army Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado, USA.
(left to right, standing): Hughes,
Helder, Pear,
McLoughlin; (left to right, kneeling:
Mix, Kase,
Smith, Wilson,
Dalton, Hoff
All of the crew of "Ole Kickapoo" were awarded the Distinguished
Service Cross (DSC.)
Hughes' DSC was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
The 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) received a
Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC)
for the detachment's
participation in the famed low-level attack against oil refineries at Ploesti on
1 Aug 1943.
Related Links: "Ole Kickapoo" and Flights of the "Ole Kickapoo"
First Published: December 9, 2007
Last updated: January 28, 2010
