In the garden on the south side of the church.

A sculptured stone with a large brown plaque on the front that is inscribed with a French commemoration message. Also featured are the photos of 1Lt Shapleigh and the people who risked their lives saving 1Lt Shapleigh. On the top of the plaque is an engraved depiction of the P-51 Mustang and on the bottom are crossed flags of the US and France with a golden star on the center.

1Lt Shapleigh bailed out near Laon, France, in his P-51 Mustang 42-106464 because of engine trouble. He was picked up by the French Underground and hidden in a secret room in a private home until the area was overrun by American Forces who repatriated him.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com

Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net

P. 51B 4TH MUSTANG FIGHTER GROUP

335TH FIGHTER SQUADRON USAAF 

LIEUTENANT ELIOT SHAPLEIGH 

MARIE • JOSÉ ET ALBERT VAILLANT

PIERRE MAES       MARCEL CLOSSET

DE SIMPLES GENS VIVANTEN FRANCE OCCUPEE

RISQUERENT LEUR VIE POUR SAUVER

ET CACHER DANS NOTRE VILLAGE

UN JEUNE AVIATEUR AMERICAIN

ELIOT SHAPLEIGH

DONT L'AVION AVAIT ETE ABATTU

LE 27 MAI 1944

DANS LA REGION DE WASSIGNY

« L'HERITAGE DU JOUR J »

English translation:

P. 51B 4TH MUSTANG FIGHTER GROUP

335TH FIGHTER SQUADRON USAAF

LIEUTENANT ELIOT SHAPLEIGH

MARY • JOSE AND ALBERT VAILLANT

PIERRE MAES        MARCEL CLOSSET

SIMPLE PEOPLE LIVING IN OCCUPIED FRANCE

RISKED THEIR LIVES TO SAVE

AND HIDE IN OUR VILLAGE

A YOUNG AMERICAN AVIATOR

ELIOT SHAPLEIGH

WHOSE PLANE HAD BEEN SHOT DOWN

MAY 27, 1944

IN THE WASSIGNY REGION

“D-DAY LEGACY”