May Luncheon

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World War II pilot John Luckadoo during basic flight training at Shaw Field in Sumter, SC. (Macmillan)

Military.com | By James Barber  Published April 04, 2022

Born and raised on Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, TN in 1922, Lucky attended public schools where he participated in the R.O.T.C. while in Chattanooga High School. He later attended the University of Chattanooga and enlisted in the U.S.Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet while in his sophomore year soon after Pearl Harbor.

Graduating from twin-engine flight school in February, 1943 along with 40 of his classmates he was immediately assigned to the 100th Bomb Group, a B-17 Bomb Group as co-pilots just prior to being sent overseas to England with the 8th Air Force. As one of the early U.S. Bomber Groups in England, and without fighter escort and due to it’s initial heavy losses, quickly became known as “the Bloody Hundredth”. Serving as a Pilot and later as a Squadron Operations Officer, he was one of only 4 of his original classmates to survive 25 combats missions.

Earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the European Victory Medal, two Presidential Unit Citations, he was also awarded the French Legion of Honor for his World War II service.

For the past 25 years he has discussed his wartime experiences with various groups and organizations, as well as elementary school students and Air Force Academy cadets to ensure that they are well aware of the sacrifices made by his generation for the freedoms we all enjoy today, and most recently had his Bloody Hundredth Bomb Group memorialized in the epic documentary called “Masters of the Air”.

Having recently celebrated his 102nd birthday, he is the only remaining pilot of the original 100th Bomb Group.