tarbridge Posted July 23, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 23, 2012 Lt.Thaddeus R.Bell ser# 0-099714 Corsair Pilot VF-17 The "Jolly Rogers" From:Seattle,Washington KIA: 27 January 1944 Lt.Bell was involved in the Battle of the Solomon Sea flying off the Bunker Hill.It was here he shot down two enemy planes. Some of VF-17's Corsairs did just that, driving seven D3As and several G4Ms back up the St. George Channel. One of the twin-engine bombers was splashed by Lt. j.g. Howard M. Burriss, who also downed a B5N2 in flames and shared in the destruction of another with one of VF-33's Hellcats. One of the Ki.61s was claimed by VF-17's commander, Lt. Cmdr. Tom Blackburn. A second exploded under the guns of Ensign Frederick J. Streig, who also forced a Zero to ditch in the water. VF-17's top scorer that day was Ensign Ira C. Kepford, who shot down three D3As and a B5N2, while Lieutenant Thaddeus R. Bell downed two D3As. A total of 18.5 victories were claimed by 'Blackburn's Irregulars' that day, but their Corsairs were operating at the limits of their range and two of them ran out of fuel. Ensign Bradford W. Baker sent a Zero down in flames, but as he tried to return to his base, his engine stopped over Wilson Strait. Baker ditched and was later rescued by a flying boat. Similarly, after downing a B5N2, Ensign Robert H. Hill also had to make a water landing when his fuel ran out, but he was subsequently picked up by a PT boat. Lt.Bell was lost on a Raid on Rabul on 27 January 1944. Jan. 26 - VF-17's First Raid on Rabaul Fighting-17 re-joined the fray with a 32-plane escort mission against Rabaul's Lakunai airfield. As the SBD's recovered from their run, a lone Zero came out and Blackburn splashed it. He was VF-17's first ace. That day Fighting-17 downed 8 Japanese planes and prevented any losses to the SBDs in their care, but lost two Hog pilots and totalled a third plane. While such results were favorable; they were unsustainable. Losing two per day would wipe out the squadron in less than three weeks. Jan. 27 - Sixteen for Seventeen The next day, they ran a similar mission, this time with 24 F4Us. After the B-25s dropped their bombs, about 70 Zeros hit Thad Bell's division. No one ever saw Thad again. Ike Kepford, leading a division, and his number 3, Danny Cunningham both scored twice. Bobby Mims got 2.5 kills. A Zero shot up "Teeth" Burriss' plane badly. His wingman, Ensign "Andy Gump" Jagger, was able to get behind the Zero and smoked it; Teeth saw it go in. Shortly, Teeth's engine cut out and he ditched successfully. Blackburn and three others circled over him until a Dumbo picked him up. Again, the squadron had done its job: none of the B-25s were hit, sixteen Zeros were downed, but another Corsair pilot had been lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted July 23, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted July 23, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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BigJohn#3RD Posted July 23, 2012 Share #6 Posted July 23, 2012 A tough young man in a group of tough men; he gave all to protect the bomber formation. Rest In Peace Forever Young Sailor :salute: De Oppresso Liber Strength and Honor John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted July 23, 2012 Share #7 Posted July 23, 2012 That is a Tremendous Group Robert!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted July 23, 2012 Share #8 Posted July 23, 2012 Fantastic set! What a great group to a real hero from a very famous flying squadron . JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted July 23, 2012 Share #9 Posted July 23, 2012 Robert....You struck gold again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-o MSU Posted July 23, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 23, 2012 Very very nice Robert! Rest in peace Lt. Bell Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted July 23, 2012 Share #11 Posted July 23, 2012 Hi Robert! I hope you're doing well! Such a beautiful set of medals awarded to this Navy hero for making the ultimate sacrifice. Truly a magnificent group! :thumbsup: Thank you for sharing it here. Best wishes always, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 23, 2012 Share #12 Posted July 23, 2012 Very nice Robert! You have been quite successful finding Naval aviation groups! I like the fact its a Seattle vet and he lived not far from where I do. I posted a VF-17 KIA AM/PH not long ago, there are only 7 days difference in the days they were killed: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...howtopic=139539 Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted July 23, 2012 Very nice Robert! You have been quite successful finding Naval aviation groups! I like the fact its a Seattle vet and he lived not far from where I do. I posted a VF-17 KIA AM/PH not long ago, there are only 7 days difference in the days they were killed: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...howtopic=139539 Kurt I remember your group well.It is a nice grouping.We are both very lucky.Thanks,Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted July 23, 2012 Share #14 Posted July 23, 2012 Very nice group Robert, and well researched as usual. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted July 23, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 23, 2012 Another top shelf quality group, I like the early style engraving on the AM. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted July 23, 2012 Share #16 Posted July 23, 2012 Robert, I can see why you like this one :thumbsup: Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted July 23, 2012 Share #17 Posted July 23, 2012 Robert Wow!!!!! another fine group ! Love the AM engraving !! When did they stop putting the dates on the AMs ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 24, 2012 Robert Wow!!!!! another fine group ! Love the AM engraving !! When did they stop putting the dates on the AMs ? The latest AM I have with dates was issued in 1947 for a WWII action. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted July 24, 2012 Thanks to Scottplen for locating a picture of Lt Thaddeus "Thad"R.Bell. The photo is from The Stanford class of 1940 in the Quad yearbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully11 Posted July 20, 2015 Share #20 Posted July 20, 2015 Robert, Thank you for posting these medals and information and also for memorializing this fellow. A Google search lead me here. What are these medals and their significance? I'll be reading in the future, I see. My grandfather was Thad's Mother's brother. My father noted that Thad was shot down, but I thought he was in a B-17 as were other's in my family. Don't know much currently about Thad, but that he was the only boy and had a sister, Barbara. Thad's Dad was the president of the American Can Company. Thad's death must have been hard on the family. My old mother said today that Dad was given Thad's fur lined flight suit/ jacket? She is old and may or may not recall certainly, but our house burned down in the 1960's and that is that. She also said that after the war a plane was sent and flowers we dropped in the area that he was shot down. Hmm, never heard that before, but then I never asked. Too bad, we don't ask enough questions while people live! I suspect these medals are the found detritus of our lives. Good you caught the ball here! Best, Greg Sully11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share #21 Posted July 20, 2015 Robert, Thank you for posting these medals and information and also for memorializing this fellow. A Google search lead me here. What are these medals and their significance? I'll be reading in the future, I see. My grandfather was Thad's Mother's brother. My father noted that Thad was shot down, but I thought he was in a B-17 as were other's in my family. Don't know much currently about Thad, but that he was the only boy and had a sister, Barbara. Thad's Dad was the president of the American Can Company. Thad's death must have been hard on the family. My old mother said today that Dad was given Thad's fur lined flight suit/ jacket? She is old and may or may not recall certainly, but our house burned down in the 1960's and that is that. She also said that after the war a plane was sent and flowers we dropped in the area that he was shot down. Hmm, never heard that before, but then I never asked. Too bad, we don't ask enough questions while people live! I suspect these medals are the found detritus of our lives. Good you caught the ball here! Best, Greg Sully11 Hi Greg,Unfortunately the fellows who give the most are at times... remembered the least.They are no longer here and cannot continue their lives and be involved. After the years turn they can be forgotten by all...I'm sure it is done without intention. Our job is to make available these stories in our time and bring the memories of folks like "Thad" from being just a footnote. The medals had to be a consolation to grieving families as it gave them something to connect...but that would never replace a lost father,son or brother... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted July 20, 2015 Share #22 Posted July 20, 2015 A true hero dying doing his duty! Great grouping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share #23 Posted July 20, 2015 Here are a few new photos. This is how I have Lt.Bells group displayed. .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share #24 Posted July 20, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted July 21, 2015 Share #25 Posted July 21, 2015 Thank you Robert for keeping Lt. Bell in our minds and hearts. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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