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. ​ September 5, 2025

The War that Changed the World: 80 Years Later.

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""Never was so much owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchill

Hi Reader, welcome back to our coverage of what happened in the skies and on the ground during World War II. This week, we mark the 80th anniversary of the official end of World War II with the signing of the Instrument of Surrender. This week, we also honor the passing of the last living pilot of the Bloody Hundredth. Join us as we delve into the history of one of the most pivotal conflicts ever and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

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The War Is Over.

On September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay, representatives of Imperial Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, bringing the Second World War to its official close. The ceremony lasted barely 20 minutes, yet it marked the conclusion of the most devastating conflict in human history. Surrounded by Allied warships and aircraft, General Douglas MacArthur accepted the surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers, while officials from nations across the globe signed as witnesses to the long-awaited peace.

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For millions worldwide, the signing symbolized both triumph and tragedy. The war had spanned six years, reaching every continent and claiming more than 70 million lives. Victory came at great cost—soldiers, sailors, and airmen endured unimaginable hardships, while countless civilians lived through destruction, occupation, and loss. For those who served in uniform, the moment was not just about victory, but also about honoring the comrades who never returned home.

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Now, 80 years later, we pause to reflect the generation who carried the weight of the war. With each passing year, we lose more of the veterans who lived through the war, making it ever more important to preserve their stories and honor their sacrifice. Their courage and resilience remind us that peace was hard won, and that the freedoms we enjoy today were secured by their devotion and sacrifice.

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Remembering and Honoring Lucky.

John “Lucky” Luckadoo was an American aviator who served in the United States Army Air Force during WWII as a co-pilot in the famous 100th Bombardment Group of the US 8th Air Force. Between 1943 and 1944, he flew 25 daring bombing missions over France and Germany aboard a B-17 bomber, crediting his survival to luck, duty, and youthful naivety. During his service, he endured the grueling conditions that led the 100th Bomb Group to earn the nickname “The Bloody Hundredth.”

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As of September 1, 2025, John “Lucky” Luckadoo has passed away at the age of 103, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the last surviving airmen of the 100th and the very last living original pilot of the group. We first covered his story in 2024, and today, we return to honor his service and remember him once again.

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Lucky was born on March 16, 1922, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His father, a prominent stockbroker, allowed Lucky to be raised fairly privileged in Depression-era America. Having been raised on a farm, his father had extensive experience in raising horses, and the family was often invited to Fort Oglethorpe, a nearby US Army cavalry base, to participate in horse shows and competitions. It was at Fort Oglethorpe that Lucky first encountered the military, watching West Point graduates engage in horse sports. During high school, Lucky attended the Civilian Military Training Camp in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he solidified his goal to join the military.

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In 1941, at the age of 19, Lucky and his best friend made plans to travel to Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to receive flight training. They hoped that this flight training would give them an upper hand in joining the US Army Air Corps. Unfortunately, Lucky required parental consent to join the RCAF and his parents did not approve. His best friend, on the other hand, did obtain the necessary consent and proceeded to Canada to join the RCAF.

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Lucky’s time finally arrived following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Like many other young men, he immediately volunteered for service, but due to the influx of volunteers, he had to wait to be called into service. Finally, in May 1942, he was called into the US Army as an aviation cadet to begin training. He began his flight training with PT-17s in Florida, followed by BT-13s in South Carolina. In February 1943, Lucky graduated and, in March, was assigned to the 100th Bombardment Group stationed in Kearney, Nebraska, for advanced training. There, he was placed in the 351st Bomb Squadron as a replacement co-pilot aboard a Boeing B-17, quickly falling in love with the bomber.

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According to Lucky, his transition to the 100th was difficult. Before his arrival, the group had been deemed unfit for combat, leading to many of their co-pilots being transferred to instructor roles. Lucky and 40 other recruits were brought in as replacements, creating tension among the existing crews who had trained together. Nevertheless, the demand for bombers in Europe rose, and the 100th was soon ordered out. The group journeyed to England, arriving at Thorpe Abbots in early June 1943.

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Upon arriving in England, Lucky’s crew was eager to complete their mission quota quickly. Glen Dyle, the pilot of Lucky’s B-17, was determined that they would be the first crew to complete their 25 missions, and they accomplished this goal in just 90 days. Apart from Lucky and one gunner, the crew led by Dyle became the first to complete their 25 missions. Due to disagreements about co-pilots being placed in gunner positions, Lucky was often left behind as the crew flew without him. By his 20th mission, Lucky was briefly placed in an instructor role before joining a new crew for his next mission—a mission that would be forever etched in the memories of Lucky and the entire 100th Bomb Group for its deadly outcome.

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On October 8, 1943, the 100th set out for Bremen, Germany, a vital port and industrial hub. As the bombers approached their target, they encountered the heaviest flak they had ever seen, followed by swarms of Luftwaffe fighters who bravely navigated through the anti-aircraft fire. Lucky witnessed the loss of several bombers, with his aircraft sustaining heavy damage and nearly colliding with another B-17. In a matter of moments, 12 out of 18 bombers were lost in the air battle over Bremen. After the engagement, Lucky became the sole surviving element lead and successfully guided the remaining B-17s back to base. In the days that followed, the 100th Bomb Group returned to the skies for a series of deadly missions, suffering heavy casualties. This period solidified the group’s nickname, “The Bloody Hundredth.” During the Bremen raid, the squadron’s Operations Officer was killed, and Lucky was quickly assigned the role, which he held until November 1943.

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In November 1943, the 100th was tasked with attacking Berlin, Germany, in broad daylight—a near-suicide mission. The squadron commander of the 351st ordered Lucky to lead the mission the next day without informing him of the final destination. Lucky only learned of the mission’s target at the morning briefing and was outraged that the squadron commander had placed him in the lead for such a deadly mission. Fortunately for the 100th, the mission was scrapped due to a sudden change in weather, and all the men returned to base. Angry, Lucky confronted the squadron commander, accusing him of cowardice for putting Lucky in charge instead of himself. Lucky refused to continue flying with the squadron and was subsequently transferred to the 350th Squadron.

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Lucky completed his 25 missions with his new squadron by February 1944. He served with the 100th Bomb Group for a total of nine months, surviving mission after mission and witnessing the harsh realities of aerial warfare. With his 25 missions behind him, Lucky was asked to stay on as a squadron commander but declined, feeling that his luck had been spent. The following month, Lucky returned to the United States and was sent to Bryan Air Force Base for further flight training, where he met his wife of 66 years. He remained in service, transitioning to flying B-29 bombers shortly before VJ Day. His final notable act of the war was delivering Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb over Hiroshima, to Texas where it was scheduled to be scrapped but ultimately preserved due to its historical significance.

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In later years, Lucky often reflected on his service with a mixture of pride and honesty. He spoke candidly of the toll the war took on young men, stating that “old men make war, and young men fight them,” yet he never lost sight of the courage and sacrifice it demanded. He devoted much of his later life to ensuring that the story of the Bloody Hundredth would never be forgotten, speaking to schools and communities about the importance of remembering the men and women of his generation.

With his passing in 2025, we mark the loss of not just a remarkable airman, but the last living original pilot of the 100th Bomb Group. John “Lucky” Luckadoo’s legacy will live on as a reminder of duty, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of the Greatest Generation. Today, we honor his life, his service, and the history he carried with him.

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"A B-17 could get its crew back on one engine. Even with half its tail torn off or with a huge, gaping hole in the wings, fuselage, or nose, a good pilot could get his Fort and his crew back to the base." - Harry S. Crosby

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