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| Chester V. Claypool (far left), c. 1944 |
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| Recent Address: |
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3382 Dermot Thurston Road, Owensboro, KY 42303 |
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| Email: |
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| Family Information: |
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Parents: Chester and Sarah, Wife: Lorraine, Siblings: Jerry, Tommy. |
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| Hometown: |
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Ownesboro, KY |
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| Date Entered Service: |
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December 4, 1942 |
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| Service Number: |
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15382422 |
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| Bomb Group: |
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468th |
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| Squadron: |
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793rd |
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| Location of Unit: |
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| Missions Flown: |
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35 missions flown |
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| Hump Missions Flown: |
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Numerous missions to move gas to forward base. |
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| Targets: |
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Japan - numerous times. |
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| Awards/Decorations: |
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Distinguished Flying Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster,
Presidential Unit Citation
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| Service Schools Attended: |
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| Military Specialty(ies): |
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MOS 888-Radio Mechanic F, MOS-889-Radio Mechanic M |
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| Rank Upon Discharge: |
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S/Sgt |
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| Crew Type: |
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Flight crew |
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| Airplane Serial No.& Name: |
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42-63355 Bella Bortion |
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| Were you a POW? |
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No |
| If so, where? |
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| Were you interned? |
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No |
| If so, where? |
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| Date Transferred from the 58th: |
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| Date Discharged from the 58th: |
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October 9, 1945 |
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| Post-WWII Military Service: |
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| Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s): |
| Chester was an Engineer for General Electric Company. His specialty was designing vacuum tubes. The Patriots that shot down enemy planes had three vacuum tubes in them. Chester designed one of these tubes. He received recognition for that vacuum tube from the General Electric Company. |
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| Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing: |
| Chester was very proud of his time in the Army Air Force. He became very close to his crew. They flew their missions together. By the time they had completed their 35 missions, they and the plane were ready to come home. Their plane "Bella Bortion" had been declared "war weary" so the crew flew it back to the States. We attended many Air Force reunions and enjoyed every one of them. We were like family. |
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| Comments: |
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| Chester and wife, Lorraine, at Air Force reunion |
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| Chester and Lorraine, 1997 |
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