The 489th Bombardment Squadron in Corsica

1. 489th BS Insignia from B-25 at MAAM, 2. 340th BG Insignia from Q. Kaiser's A2 flight jacket (1944), 3. NASA space shuttle photo of Corsica, 4. 12th Air Force patch, 5. U.S. Army Air Corps Patch .


Photographs From S/Sgt. Eddie Little of the 489th Bomb Squadron Provided by his Grandson, Jarrett Crump

Planes, Part 21

S/Sgt. Eddie Little standing beside B-25J 9M 'Athena'. S/Sgt. Eddie Little with some guys from the 489th.
Left Photo: This is S/Sgt. gunner and bombardier Eddie A. Little of the 489th Bomb Squadron standing beside his main plane, B-25J 9M Athena. Right photo: Eddie Little with some of his friends from the 489th Bomb Squadron.


Looking ahead at a box of six B-25s entering Flak.'
A box of six B-25s flying straight into some heavy flak.


Looking back at target.'
Looking back at a coastal target on a bombing mission.


Bombs Away.
Some early B-25C or D models releasing what look like 250 or 500 pound bombs.


Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in March of 1944.
Eddie Little photograph of Mount Vesuvius erupting in March of 1944.


Eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Another Eddie Little photograph of Mount Vesuvius erupting. Click here for more about Mount Vesuvius and how it affected the 489th Bombardment Squadron.


The following information about Eddie A. Little was provided by his grandson, Jarrett Crump: "Info on PaPa: S/Sgt. Eddie A. Little, Jr., 489th Bomb Squadron, Bombardier and Aerial Gunner, Aircraft- B-25 9M "Athena," Stationed in Naples and Corsica 1943 and 1944, Itialian Campaign, Naples-Foggia Campaign, Rome-Arno Campaign, 63 combat missions with one German aircraft shot down. Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Theater Campaign Medal with 3 battle stars. Distinguished Flying Cross awarded for extraordinary achievement achieved while participating in aerial flight as bombardier of a B-25 type aircraft. On 15 August 44, S/Sgt Little flew in an attack upon a road and railroad bridge at Avigion, France. Displaying superior professional skill and determination as he guided his pilot on a perfect run over the objective in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, S/Sgt Little then released his bombs with devastating effect upon this vital objective. While escorting a crippled B-25, forced out of formation and drawing away from the target, S/Sgt Little discovered that one bomb in his aircraft had failed to release over the target. Unable to leave his position, S/Sgt Little immediately instructed other members of his crew in the procedure to render the bomb harmless and then navigated his pilot safely back to base. On more than sixty combat missions, his outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."


 Go on to Planes, Part 22.


Back to Page 1 of "The 489th Bombardment Squadron in Corsica".