Gunner S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina DFC KIA
Home: Binghamton, New York.
Squadron: 345th Bomb Sq 98th Bomb Gp
Service ID: 32470251.
Entered the service from New York.
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James A. Deeds DFC MIA/KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40991
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter: N
Aircraft Name: KATE SMITH
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: AA Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt. Cupina lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of KATE SMITH destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt James A. Deeds and crew of the 98th BG from North Africa to Ploesti, Romania 1943.
Briefed to fly in the last wave attacking White IV they took a direct hit on the cockpit while at the target area at an estimated 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. Miraculously Co Pilot Lt. Foster was blown clear of the disintegrating aircraft and was able to open his chute. Only 4 bodies were recovered and identified. Lt. Foster became a POW.
Crew of KATE SMITH
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.Clifton C. FosterCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Francis V. Montemurro Navigator
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
T/Sgt. Frank Henry Leising Engineer
T/Sgt. James M. Howie Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Donald Allison Pimlott Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina Gunner
S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik Gunner
S/Sgt. John Washington Potts Gunner
Gunner S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina DFC KIA
Home: Binghamton, New York.
Squadron: 345th Bomb Sq 98th Bomb Gp
Service ID: 32470251.
Entered the service from New York.
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James A. Deeds DFC MIA/KIA
Target; Low level mission to destroy Rumanian Oil Fields, White IV. Ploesti.
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40991
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter: N
Aircraft Name: KATE SMITH
Location: Lost near the target, Ploesti
Cause: AA Crew 10 9KIA 1POW
Sgt. Cupina lost his life in action while on duty with the 98th Bomb Group for "Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the crew of KATE SMITH destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt James A. Deeds and crew of the 98th BG from North Africa to Ploesti, Romania 1943.
Briefed to fly in the last wave attacking White IV they took a direct hit on the cockpit while at the target area at an estimated 250 ft. The aircraft caught fire in the bomb bay and exploded in mid air. Miraculously Co Pilot Lt. Foster was blown clear of the disintegrating aircraft and was able to open his chute. Only 4 bodies were recovered and identified. Lt. Foster became a POW.
Crew of KATE SMITH
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.James A. Deeds Pilot
1st/Lt.Clifton C. FosterCo Pilot
2nd/Lt. Francis V. Montemurro Navigator
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
2nd/Lt. Theodore F. Scarborough Bombardier
T/Sgt. Frank Henry Leising Engineer
T/Sgt. James M. Howie Radio Op.
S/Sgt.Donald Allison Pimlott Gunner
S/Sgt. Joseph T. Cupina Gunner
S/Sgt. Adolph Olenik Gunner
S/Sgt. John Washington Potts Gunner
