Serviceman
Richard J Bess
840thco-pilot
Play his story on the map built from his record
- Rank
- 2LT (1 March 1945), 2LT (11 April 1945), 2LT (4 May 1945)
- Hometown
- Portsmouth OH; Philadelphia PA; Portsmouth, OH
- Also written
- Richard Bess
- In the book
- Heroes of the 483rd, p. 64, 65
- Sources
- 483bg-record, assoc-roster, heroes-book · service record at 483bg.org
Crews
- Charles R. Finlayson Crew, co-pilot · 840th
- Alfred M. Fite, Jr. Crew, co-pilot · 840th
Missions placed on him
- mission 99, 4 October 1944 · Munich West · Listed with the Charles R. Finlayson crew, which flew it per its history (p. 64); whether he was aboard that day is not recorded
- mission 138, 18 December 1944 · Odertal · Listed with the Alfred M. Fite, Jr. crew, which flew it per its history (p. 65); whether he was aboard that day is not recorded
A report lists him aboard, or his crew's history in Heroes of the 483rd dates the mission; the book is cited by page and not reproduced. The rest of his squadron's missions in his window are not placed on him by any document.
Awards
| Date | Award | General order | Rank then |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March 1945 | Air Medal | 1065 | 2LT |
| 11 April 1945 | Air Medal, 1st oak leaf cluster | 2264 | 2LT |
| 4 May 1945 | award (code not read) | 3007 | 2LT |
From the general orders indexed by the Army Air Corps Library and Museum.
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