Homer McCollum was born on March 11, 1921 and was from Texas. He served as the Pilot on B-24 D (42-40105) “Yankee Doodle Dandy”. On November 11, 1943 B-24D (42-40105) “Yankee Doodle Dandy” piloted by 1LT McCollum, was part of a 32-plan raid on a ball-bearing factory in Amnecy, France. The bombing raid was conducted by the 344th Bomber Squadron “Pyramiders” of the 98th Bomber Group, 15th Airforce flying out of the Enfidaville Airfield in Tunisia. After the raid on the return trip, a mechanical failure of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” caused it to drop out of formation leaving it vulnerable to enemy fighters. “Yankee Doodle Dandy” was shot down by seven enemy fighters of Jagdgruppe (JG) 77. The plane was hit with several crewmembers killed on board. Others were able to parachute to safety. The plane crashed on Monte Rucustun (Localita’ Rucustun) near Andonno, Italy. Four were killed in action; 1 was taken injured and taken prisoner; five with the assistance of Aldo Quaranta’s Partisan Brigades, were able to be returned to duty via Switzerland after about 3 weeks of evading the enemy.(Reference: Missing Aircraft Report {MACR} 1197). McCollum survived the crash and returned to duty. He also served in the Korean conflict.