LockedB24 Guardian Angel, Sam Bay--Help!

Hello All,

I'm looking for info on my wifes dad. His name is Sam Bay from New Concord, Ohio. He was in the 15th AF 465th BG and the 781st. I have found both Frank Ambrose & Best B24 sites--both had pictures of the Guardian Angel and the crew but neighter shows Sam. Looks like the mission markings were earlier as I have one picture of him with his crew and there where several more shown. Also I believe he was shot down (survived) in this bomber. He was also shot down in another (He had good luck!) Would love any info that I can find.

Thanks alot!!!!
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Hi :-) According to Wally Forman's "B-24 Nose Art Name Directory" there were two B-24's named Guardian Angel....one was Guardian Angel 41-29376 465th BG 781 st BS...and the other was 41-28959 465th BG 781st BS.

Wally'a book says there is a picture of 41-29376. but for 41-28959 there is NO PHOTO.

Usually when the designation is a "I I" it was the replacement for the first Guardian Angel which was lost,or salvaged due to battle damage.

Wally's book says there is a photo of 41-29376 and he gievs an email address of [url "mailto:Avibuff@aol.com"]Avibuff@aol.com[/url]. Ou might contact him and see if he will email you a photo.

Jim :-)
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Hi Jim,

Thanks for the info! I do have the Forman Book which shows both bombers info. The photo I have matches the one on the Best B24 site except their picture with the Herd crew has 32 missions and my photo shows 40 which makes them a replacement crew as none of the guys look the same.

I'll email the link you left as he might have been on that one also but is unlikely.

How can I get more information on this plane/crew?

Thanks Chuck
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Hi Chuck :-) Have you contacted the 465th BG Association ? Go to :

[url "http://www.armyairforces.com/dbassociations.asp?Group=277"]http://www.armyairforces.com/dbassociations.asp?Group=277[/url]

This is the 465th BG Association Page and you will find contact(s) for the 465th BG Association plus other goodies...there is a website outside of this forum.

Jim ;-)

I flew from Foggia #2 , Tortorella AAF with the 99th BG 348th BS.
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Hi Jim

Thanks a lot for taking the time to help.

I did in fact email Mr. Althoff about 7 mths ago and received no response. I will do this again tonight as I do have more info than I did then. He might be busy trying to help others.

Again Thanks

Chuck
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Has this search been resolved?
I have in my possesion a roster of the complete 781st Squdron
The name "Sam Bay" does not appear on the roster.
I also have a photo of the "Guardian Angel" on my website:-
http://www.frankambrose.com.
As a photographer I took many photos of that plane- each time
with a different crew just before the mission for that day.
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Frank Ambrose,

Thanks you for your interest. No it has not been resolved. I have been to you wonderful site many times just to see if anything new was posted, but nothing yet. My wifes dad is pictured in the attached picture (maybe you took it?). He is on the bottom row, 2nd from left. Sorry its not very good but I put the original up for safe keeping and of course can not find it, this is a copy of a scan. His name was Samuel Bay, no middle intial. Could have been listed from New Concord or Cumberland, Ohio. We believe he was a gunner. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank You

Chuck
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ChuckI just checked my records again.
The name "SAM BAY" or any "BAY" does not appear on our squdrons roster.
I have also checked the other Squadron rosters and his name does not appear on thier lists either.
The photo you have is of a crew taken in front of an aircraft belonging to our Squdron (781) which shows
your inlaw, however it does not appear in our Squdron"s History Book which shows all of our Squdrons photos.
We shared the same field with the 464th BG and occsionally crews would be photographed in front of
different planes. Could he have been in the 464th BG?
His name does not appear on the complete 465th Roster, or is it possible he changed his name.
If you knew his Pilots name- that would help as all crews were know by the Pilots name.
Hope this helps
frank[reply][/reply]
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Frank,

Sorry for the delay. I did not realize that any of the crews might have had their pictures taken in front of another B24. Her dads good friend said that he was a gunner in b24s but (her dad) didn't really want to talk about it. Well I guess I have to start all over again.[unsure]

Thanks so much for your help

Chuck
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