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Joplin Jalopy - B-24 Liberator bomber
In September 1942 actress Bette Davis came to Joplin, Missouri to sell war stamps and bonds to help the U.S. govt finance WW II. Davis's war bond show brought her total to over one million dollars in sales for the year. War bonds purchased by Joplin residents produced enough funds to build a cargo ship and three bombers named Joplimo, Ozark Nell and the Joplin Jalopy. The Joplin Jalopy was part of the 44th Bomb Group - 506th Bomb Squadron. She flew a total of 66 missions. On the Wesel Mission of March 3 ,1945 the 44th BG was dropping supplies to the ground troops at the Battle of the Bulge. One of the waist gunners Sgt. Dias wearing a parachute, had it come open and it yanked him out through the ventral turret and he fell to his death. The Joplin Jolopy returned to the U.S. on May 31, 1945. It was preserved and exhibited at the Joplin Regional Airport until the late 1950's when it was unfortunately sold for scrap.
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