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
MOS	1034 - 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 Arnold⇗	Pilot	KIFA
2nd Lt. Vranna, James Allan⇗	Co-pilot	WNC
2nd Lt. Bates, Thomas Cooper	Navigator	KIFA
2nd Lt. Davis, James Buford⇗	Bombardier	CT
S/SGT. Wolters, Herman John⇗	Radio Operator / Gunner	TR
S/SGT. Perry, Harold Lloyd⇗	Engineer / Top Turret Gunner	KIFA
SGT. Laursen, Harold James⇗	Ball Turret Gunner	CT
CPL. Creasy, Roland Estes⇗	Flexible Gunner	TR
SGT. Peters, William F⇗	Flexible Gunner	TR
SGT. Walker, James Duffie, Jr, "J.D."⇗	Flexible Gunner	TR

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⇗

Every effort has been expended to ensure all information on this page is complete and accurate.
Please inform webmaster of any discrepancies or omissions by using the button below.