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Bates, Thomas Cooper

Individual Personnel Data
Name Bates, Thomas Cooper   
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-719844   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #148 dated 26 July 1944, effective 26 July 1944.
Duty Navigator
MOS1034 - Navigator
Last Duty Date 3 August 1944
Results Killed In Flying Accident
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, South Minneapolis, Minnesota
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 8 March 1921
  • From duty to killed in line of duty (plane accident-non-operational) per 544th Squadron Morning Report 3 August 1944.
  • Bates died in a crash-landing on the night of 3 August, 1944. He was the navigator of a minimal crew, which had taken off to 'slow-time' a new engine when the evening fog settled in. They crashed when they attempted to land.
Related Documents Accident Report # 44-08-03-517 (4.171 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Jung, Howard ArnoldPilotKIFA
2nd Lt. Vranna, James AllanCo-pilotWNC
2nd Lt. Bates, Thomas CooperNavigatorKIFA
2nd Lt. Davis, James BufordBombardierCT
S/SGT. Wolters, Herman JohnRadio Operator / GunnerTR
S/SGT. Perry, Harold LloydEngineer / Top Turret GunnerKIFA
SGT. Laursen, Harold JamesBall Turret GunnerCT
CPL. Creasy, Roland EstesFlexible GunnerTR
SGT. Peters, William FFlexible GunnerTR
SGT. Walker, James Duffie, Jr, "J.D."Flexible GunnerTR

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 0 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
-- 3 August 1944 None
Non-combat sortie
Navigator 42‑107224 Crashed when unable to locate runway, after fog and darkness occurred, while slow-timing new engines.
Sortie Report

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