John Luckadoo
John "Lucky" Luckadoo (1922–2025) was an American bomber pilot. He flew the B-17 Flying Fortress and was the last surviving original pilot of the 100th Bomb Group,[1] also known as the Bloody Hundredth, part of the Eighth Air Force during World War II.[2] He was the subject of the book Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History by Kevin Maurer.[3]
In 2019, Luckadoo, then aged 97, announced his goal of establishing a national day of recognition, on May 9, for home front heroes.[4][5] The first official recognition of Home Front Heroes Day was on May 9, 2019, in Dallas, Texas.[6][7]
Luckadoo died on September 1, 2025, at age 103.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ "World War II veteran shares air war experience from Europe". www.garysinisefoundation.org. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ↑ Simkins, J. D.; Barrett, Claire (2019-11-19). "75 years after his last mission, WWII bomber pilot recounts 'sheer terror' of bombing runs over Nazi Germany". Military Times. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ↑ "Damn Lucky". Macmillan. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ↑ "This veteran bomber pilot's final mission is to honor homefront heroes". wfaa.com. November 11, 2019. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ↑ Pohlman, Katie (2019-05-27). "Meet the WWII veteran who wants to honor those who support service members". Lake Highlands. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ↑ "WWII B-17 Pilot's Next Mission: A National Home Front Heroes Day". Presbyterian Village North. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ↑ "Former bomber pilot considers himself 'Lucky'". katytrailweekly.com. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ↑ Risen, Clay (17 September 2025). "John H. Luckadoo, Last Pilot from a Storied Bomber Group, Dies at 103". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
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