Last Surviving Pilot Of “The Bloody Hundredth” B-17 Bomb Group

The Commemorative Air Force announced that long-time friend and hero of WWII, John “Lucky” Luckadoo flew West on August 2, at 103 years of age. Lucky was the last surviving B-17 bomber pilot from the 100th Bomb Group during World War II, known as “The Bloody Hundredth.”

Luckadoo was born in 1922 and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. Two years later he had his wings as a multi-engine pilot and was assigned to the renowned Eighth Air Force in England. While there, he flew the B-17 Flying Fortress with the unit that suffered staggering losses in combat that earned them their nickname.

Lucky was one of just four pilots who survived a full tour of 25 missions, out of the 40 who began training at the same time. He completed his 25th mission in February 1944 flying his aircraft, named Alice from Dallas II.

The missions flown by the 100th were typically high-altitude formation bombing runs with little or no fighter escort. The aircraft were raked by both German flak and fighter aircraft on just about every sortie.

When the war ended, Lucky resigned his U.S. Air Force commission in 1948 at the rank of Major to finish his education. He had a successful career in commercial real estate as a developer of shopping centers in the southwest before settling in Dallas and lived there for over 60 years.

Lucky Luckadoo dedicated himself to educating the public to ensure the sacrifices of his generation were not forgotten. His efforts led the City of Dallas to establish Home Front Heroes Day in 2019.

Lucky was a fixture at CAF events, where he reminded audiences that his survival was against the odds and that true credit for Allied victory in the war should be given to not only those who flew and fought on the ground but also to those at home who worked in factories, farms, and communities across the country.

As John “Lucky” Luckadoo takes his final flight, the CAF remains dedicated to preserving his legacy and the legacy of all those who served in combat and at home.

FMI:  commemorativeairforce.org/