A Story of Triumph and Tragedy

The B-24 Liberator Hot Stuff, the first heavy bomber in the 8th Air Force to complete 25 missions in Europe in World War II crashed on the way back to the United States to tour the country and help sell war bonds on May 3, 1943. Onboard was Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews European Theater of Operations Commander and his staff and three chaplains. All onboard with killed except the tail gunner.
Gen. Andrews was to be notified he had been selected to lead all forces across the English Channel for the invasion of Europe. He was killed before he received the message. The job was given the name Supreme Allied Commander and assigned to Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower nine months later in February 1944.months later.
Two weeks after the crash the B-17 Flying Fortress was recognized for completing 25 missions with much fanfare on May 19, 1943, three and a half months after Hot Stuff and her crew did the same.
Hot Stuff and the Memphis Bell flew on the same mission to Wilhelmshaven, Germany on March 22, 1943. Hot Stuff was on her 30th mission, the Memphis Bell was on her 10th mission.
Hot Stuff and her crew were soon forgotten. Gen. Andrews a great leader and recognized as the Father of the Air Force had Andrews Air Force Base (now Joint Base Andrews) name after him and was soon forgotten. He, Hot Stuff and her crew rightfully deserve long overdue recognition in American history.

[@amac6483]

We hear that much about " memphis belle " but very little about " hot stuff " a very ad and history changing moment. Could General Andrews been president of the united States instead of Eisenhower ? Would that have meant no Nixon, no Kennedy, no Trump. And what about D - day. Would it have changed the outcome if General Andrews had been in charge ?
Such a simple mistake as refueling in Iceland as opposed to Prestwick in Scotland changed the course of history.
RIP.

[@JimLuxB24]

It took several years of research to convince the USAF that "Hot Stuff" was the first heavy bomber in the 8th Air Force to complete 25 (and 31) missions. The National Museum of the USAF now has a display of "Hot Stuff" and two other bombers that completed 25 mission before the "Memphis Belle." It's located next to the "Belle" and contains a piece of "Hot Stuff" I recovered from the crash site. There is a sign above the display that states that the "Memphis Belle" was not the first to complete 25 missions.
There is more information on the "Hot Stuff" website:
www.stridsminjar.is/hotstuff/
Thank you for your interest.