Damn Lucky: The Story of B-17 Pilot John "Lucky" Luckadoo - Veterans Breakfast Club

Damn Lucky: The Story of B-17 Pilot John “Lucky” Luckadoo

Streamed live on October 6, 2022

One of the last surviving members of the famed 100th Bomb Group, also known as the “Bloody Hundredth,” joins us to share his story. John “Lucky” Luckadoo was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who survived 25 harrowing missions over Germany in 1943-1944.

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1922, Luckadoo had aspirations of becoming a lawyer before the outbreak of World War II altered his course. Enlisting in the Army Air Forces in 1942, he joined the ranks of thousands of young Americans determined to defend their country. He was drawn to aviation and trained as a bomber pilot, earning his wings and commission as a second lieutenant.

In 1943, Luckadoo was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group, part of the Eighth Air Force, based at Thorpe Abbotts in England. The group’s mission was perilous: conduct strategic bombing raids deep into Nazi-occupied Europe. He faced extraordinary risks, including enemy fighters, anti-aircraft artillery (flak), and hazardous weather conditions.

Luckadoo’s first combat mission was harrowing. The sight of aircraft going down and the constant barrage of flak underscored the gravity of the situation. Yet, he persevered, completing 25 combat missions, a milestone that earned him the designation of a “tour-completed” veteran. His survival was nothing short of miraculous, considering the heavy losses sustained by the 100th Bomb Group. The group’s nickname, the “Bloody Hundredth,” reflected its high casualty rate, particularly during the early years of the air war.

One of Luckadoo’s most memorable missions was during the infamous raid on Bremen, Germany, in October 1943. This mission tested the limits of endurance and skill, as the bombers faced relentless enemy defenses. Despite heavy losses, Luckadoo’s crew successfully dropped their payload on the target and returned to base, though not without significant damage to their aircraft.

Luckadoo credited his survival to both skill and sheer luck, a sentiment echoed by many of his comrades.

After completing his combat tour, Luckadoo was reassigned to non-combat roles, including training new bomber crews. He eventually left the service and pursued a successful career in civilian life. Despite the passage of decades, his experiences during World War II remained a defining chapter of his life.

As one of the last surviving members of the 100th Bomb Group, John Luckadoo is an inspiration who is determined that the contributions of the “Bloody Hundredth” are never forgotten.

#wwiihistory #usmilitary #veterans #history #trivia #ww2 #usarmy #uscoastguard #veteranshistory #usveterans #marines #usairforce #militaryhistory #usnavy

Subscribe to Veterans Breakfast Club on YouTube: / @veteransbreakfastclub

Donate to support the Veterans Breakfast Club: https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/donate

Follow Veterans Breakfast Club on social media:

►Facebook: / veteransbreakfastclub

►Twitter: / vetbreakfast

►Instagram: / veteransbreakfastclub

►LinkedIn: / 37215058

Join us in-person: https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/eve…

Join us virtually: https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/eve…