Jim Buck Kirksmith

[James A Pratt III]

I am looking for info on a pilot named Jim Buck Kirksmith. it is said he flew a B-24 in Europe named Tuff Titty. Google searching doesn't have a B-24 of this named over Europe it does have two B-17s:

42-3347 94th BG 14 Oct 43 crashlanded after the Schweinfurt raid repaired used as a weather plane and transport flown back to the states in 1945. Any one know what might have damaged the plane? fighters , flak or both?

44-6374 2 nd BG in Italy 20 Apr 45 shot down by Flak Vipitero 3 bail out 7 KIA. Any info on the plane?

[Buckeye30]

Hi Jim. Kirksmith was in the 578BS / 392BG, 5 missions from 6 Sept. to 4 Oct.43. Flew a/c 480. No "Tuff Titty" known with 392nd.
Do you want some gen on the B-17s?
Regards
Nick

[Buckeye30]

From Group records and plane rosters.
1. 42-3347 SG-C 385BG damaged by fighters over France, crash-landed UK; 11 returned. Named "Charlene the 'Bama Queen". Crew was from 96BG as they were experienced with radar, pilot was 2/Lt. Emory R. Chesmore. 385th mission 28.
2. 42-3346 TS-C then H, 94BG named "Carolee / Tuff Titty"; went to 8th WRS (H) at Watton for weather ops. Returned US 1945.
3. 44-6374 49BS / 2BG Amendola; named "Tuff Titty"; shot-down 20 April 45 by Flak & exploded, target was Vipitano marshalling-yards. 3 survived including pilot 1/Lt. Tommy N. Baer, 7 KIA.


There was a B-24J in the 308BG named "Tough Titty" but that was in China.
Nick

[Alex Smart]

From B24 Nose Art Directory.
392BG 578 BS.42-7624
Close name " Turnip Termite"
No known photograph.

578 BS a/c 42-7480" My Diversion".possibly name changed if different crew ?

Also 42-78480 , but 576BS.

However I don't think that these aircraft were with the Group as early as 1943 ?

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...rksmith/photo#

392 BG database has the Crew details of Kirksmith's missions in 1943.


https://www.b24.net/index.html

Alex

[Buckeye30]

Alex. These are the dates taken on by 392nd. at Wendling........
42-7624 17 Nov. 43 (B-24H) formerly 67BS / 44BG still with their "Flying 8 Ball" insignia. 578BS.
42-7480 3 Aug. 43 (B-24H) "My Diversion" ( mission 6 Sept. was a DIVERSION not credited), their first mission was Abbeville 9 Sept. 578BS.
42-78480 7 july 44 (B-24J) "I'll get by". 576BS.


As Kirksmith is noted as flying a/c 480 ( Q-bar, codes EC not applied) this is most likely 42-7480 "My Diversion" with artwork. Crash-landed Wendling 9 Feb.44 after mission to Gotha was recalled, with another pilot (1/Lt. A. Lishka).


Nick

[Alex Smart]

Hi Nick,
Wonder if Kirksmith had completed his tour and returned to the USA or perhaps was injured and returned to the USA. It seems he died while only in his 60's so maybe War injuries?
Alex

[edwest2]

Error post.

[Leendert]

Kirksmith (O-394873) had bouts at various Stateside hospitals early 1944, among them at Clinton, Iowa en Staten Island, NY.

Leendert

[Buckeye30]

Thanks Lee. I couldn't find a mention of him in their records after his last mission on 4 Oct. 43. Actually only 3 were credited to him.
6 Sept. 43 diversion, no credit.
9 Sept. 43 Abbeville (co-pilot).
23 Sept. 43 diversion, no credit.
2 Oct. 43 Holland.
4 Oct.43 diversion with 44BG to N.Sea. but credited as mission (3 a/c lost).
All 5 were in a/c 480, I think 42-7480 assigned 3 Aug.43.


Sounds like he was returned to US with a health problem ?
Regards
Nick

[James A Pratt III]

Thanks everyone for the info