Mark Mooty

by Donald Shea
(Allen, Texas USA)

Mark was my father-in-law. He was studying to be a doctor at the University of Florida when he dropped out to go into the Air Force to become a B-24 pilot. He was part of the HALPRO group which made the first bombing raid over Nazi held territory (Ploesti). He took part in many (if not all) of the subsequent Ploesti missions. Once he crash-landed in present day Iraq when
his bomber ran out of fuel on its return from Rumania. All survived the crash, but some tribesmen, who had earlier murdered some British airmen, tried to lure the crew in coming to their camp. Lucky for them they declined the invitation as they too would have, in all likelihood, been robbed and murdered.

I also knew Ted Graff. His son Peter and I were good friends in high school where his dad and mine were stationed at Norton AFB.

Don Shea, married to Mark's daughter, Bonnie Mooty Shea.