NAME TP - M# SER - BLK - MF

SERIAL #

AF

BG

BS

SC RCL/# V#-P

PHOTO CREDITS

OKLAHOMAN, The

B

-

24

D

-

90

-

CO

42-40738

8

389

566

~

J-

00-3

ELDON NEIL COLBY

Survived Operation TIDAL WAVE, 1 Aug 43, Ploesti Romania (Horizontal Mission Marker)
Lost 5 Dec 43, FRA - MACR 2351 - Pilot Harley B. Mason

Contributor - Roy Potter
Shown with Pilot, Jack Martin. Shot down 5 Dec 43 over St. Nazaire, France, by a direct burst of flak. Flying THE OKLAHOMAN on this day, was Lt. Mason's crew, who normally flew in FIGHTIN' SAM (42-40506). Lt. Mason was the sole survivor (POW). My Uncle, Eldon N. Colby (Co-Pilot), was flying next to THE OKLAHOMAN on his first mission as a Pilot, in TOUCH OF TEXAS (42-40751). Pieces of the exploding THE OKLAHOMAN hit his (and several other) aircraft.

Info Contributor - Clyde Vick
My Father, Lowell Vick, was the Eng/Top Turret Gunner. The pilot, Jack Martin, was from Tosamingo, Oklahoma, hence the name.

Send e-mail or pics to B-24 Best Web Master along with your questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1997
B-24 Best Web. Published on Veterans Day 11/11/97. Last modified: 27-Mar-2021