World War II Honoree

Lucian Irvin Oliver, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Memphis, Tennessee

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 30 DECEMBER 1941 AT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. ASSIGNED TO THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, 5TH AIR FORCE, 43RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 64TH BOMB SQUADRON, STATIONED AT JACKSON FIELD, SEVEN MILES NORTH OF PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA. ON SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 1943, HE FLEW AS AN AERIAL GUNNER AND RADAR OPERATOR ABOARD A B-24D LIBERATOR (TAIL #42-40886) ON AN INTENDED NIGHT RADAR SEARCH MISSION OF THE BISMARCK SEA SHIPPING LANES, AND RECONNAISSANCE OF THE JAPANESE OCCUPIED WEWAK AIR BASE LOCATED ON THE NORTHWEST COAST OF EAST SEPIK PROVINCE OF NEW GUINEA. HIS AIRCRAFT CRASHED AGAINST THE ROCK FACE OF A STEEP RAVINE NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ENGATI, IN THE MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF MOROBE PROVINCE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ALL ONBOARD.