PGRNY Completed Missions

Honor Mission

1st Lt. John B. Thomas

US Army Air Forces
WWII MIA

Syracuse, NY - 05/12/2023

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 2, Region 3

About the Mission:

The remains of US Army Air Forces 1st Lt. John B. Thomas, of Rochester, New York, were finally identified in September of 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday.

Thomas was 23 years old when he was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force in the summer of 1943. Thomas flew a B-24 Liberator bomber during Operation TIDAL WAVE, which was the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries in Ploiesti, Romania.  Thomas was killed during Operation TIDAL WAVE when his plane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed on Aug. 1, 1943, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

In total, 177 B-24 Liberators took off from air bases in Libya for the raid in Operation TIDAL WAVE. Thomas’ Liberator, nicknamed the “Aire Lobo,” was one of 51 planes that didn’t return. Hundreds of airmen died in the mission, which was ultimately successful in damaging the oil refineries. Thomas’ remains were not identified following the war and were buried along with the unknowns at the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan in Ploiesti. He earned the Purple Heart, Air Medal w/ 2 oak leaf clusters, Distinguished flying cross.

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

05/12/2023 at 04:30pm

Staging Location:

Syracuse Hancock International Airport
1000 Col Eileen Collins Blvd,
Syracuse, NY 13212 at Gate 108

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Nigel Heaton - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

585-202-0490

Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:

Updated 8 March 2022

Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.

Special Information:

Region 3 members will stage at 4:30 pm at Gate 108 for the arrival of the family.   Region 3 members should be prepared to have Region 1 and 2 members join the flag line.  Any member wishing to join the escort may do so for the duration or exit at Weedsport where Region 2 starts. The Plane carrying Lt John B. Thomas will arrive close to 6:00 pm.

To get to gate 108, take Route 81 exit 27-28 towards Airport. Continue straight onto Airport Blvd/Col Eileen Collins Blvd to the light where the Trooper Barracks is, turn right on Constellation Way, go to the stop sign, turn left on Air Cargo Rd. and gate 108 is right there on the right side. Senior Ride Captain Bruce Dauer will meet us there. The family is expected to arrive at 5:20 pm.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

yes

Second Staging Date and Staging Time:

05/12/2023 at 03:00pm

Second Location:

100 Bastian St.
Rochester NY 14621

Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Nigel Heaton

Second Stage - Special Information:

For those in Region 2 wishing to ride in together I will be leaving directly from work at 100 Bastian St.  I plan to take the NYS Thruway to Route 81. Weather is expected to be 80 degrees with zero chance for rain.

Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?

no

Submitted by:

Nigel Heaton

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.