Lucky Bastards’ Club

This is a collection of Lucky Bastards Club certificates provided by members of the 447th. The certificates were issued to combat crewmen upon completion of their tour of duty. Surviving certificates vary greatly in the condition of the original, and the quality of the images provided.

Why are Lucky Bastards certificates important? For several reasons. Without doubt, they are valuable historical artifacts and have a certain charm — light-heartedly commemorating difficult and trying events.

But more importantly, they are a formal, official record of significant data, particularly the names given to aircraft by their crews. In several cases below, the certificates have established not only specific names that are not previously recorded, but also the dates those names were used. These certificates are widely accepted proof for the provenance of aircraft names.

Should you add yours to the collection? Absolutely!

[Maybe?] 447th Members: Have you lost your Certificate? The 447th Bomb Group Association is now able to provide authentic reproductions of lost certificates to its qualified veterans or family members. See the Association’s PX for more details.

Joseph A. Adams

Ball Turret Gunner on Miss Undecided

Robert W. Adams

Pilot on Sweet Seventeen

August Altese

Navigator, Young crew, 708th

Osvaldo Angelocci

Lowry crew, 711th. Perhaps one of the earliest ever issued in the 447th

William Beste

Lakeman/Noonan crew, 708th

Roy Bogard

McMath crew, 711th

James O. Burke

Waist Gunner

Raymond Casserly

Navigator on Eagle’s Brood; Robert L. Warriner crew

Guy E. Chandler

Tail Gunner

Joseph C. Chehetar

Waist Gunner

Chris J. Christie

Radio Operator; Big Shorty

Wilbur L. Clark

Turret Gunner; Round Trip

Ellis L. Cleveland

Co-Pilot; Round Trip

Paul J. Collins

Bombardier; Jocko

Ellis Colvin

Aaberg/Moriarty crew, 711th. Navigator; Journey’s End

Alan Cook

Co-pilot Rohde crew, 711th. Umbriago

Edward Corker

Harms crew, 708th. Radio Operator; Bang Bang Lulu

Henry “Hank” Corrow

Tietjen crew, 708th

George Dannehl

Tail Gunner

Russell Davis

Navigator 710th

William J. Delange

Tail gunner; Barbara Jane

Ripley W. Gage

Pilot

Raymond H. Garrant

Spot Jammer

John Hardie

Coleman crew, 709th

William Hecker

708th

Loran B. Heeb

Flight Engineer; Ol’ Scrapiron

Carl Herdic

Pilot, 708th

Leonard D. Hessenauer

Noonan and Zammett crews, 708th

Virgil H. Hill

Bombardier

Richard B. Hilsinger

Hawkins crew, 708th

George Hoidra

Folts crew, 708th

John S. Huff

William Brown crew, 709th

John Hughes

Engineer on Scrap Iron

James Hysong

Pilot, 708th

James P. Jennings

Co-Pilot on Lush Thrush

Leonard T. Johnson

Bomb/Nav on Lonesome Lads

Signed by his crew members Milton Hampton, Robert E. Johnson, Kenneth W. Wells, Abraham B. Lobel, Charles E. Lower, Paul Stanik and Arthur J. Schuppel.