On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24D Liberator aircraft “Four Eyes” was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. The 98th earned the Presidential Unit Citation, all of the crew received the Distinguished Flying Cross

98th BG, 343rd BS (Heavy) 9th Air Force.

#42-40655; "FOUR EYES"

Crew 10 KIA:

Pilot: 1st/Lt Lawrence Hadcock, NY O-793322

Co Pilot: 2nd/Lt. John E. Kraft, WI O-795599

Navigator: 2nd/Lt. William R. De Busks, TX O-670102

Bombardier: 2nd/Lt. Peter A. Timpo, MI O-738946

Engineer: T/Sgt. James B. Hale, OK 38088239

Radio Op: T/Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitz, IL. 16027151

Gunner: S/Sgt. Ralph D. Kolb, AK 18166531

Gunner: S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott, IL 38013630

Gunner: S/Sgt. Eugene J. O'Mara, NH 11039846

Gunner: S/Sgt. Zelwood A. Gravlin, ME 31125292

John E Kraft