B-17 42-5780 'Black Swan’ Monument
Details:
An upright, rectangular, stone monument bearing a black rectangular panel that contains a commemoration message and a list of names of the plane crew, their age, and status, written in French in gold and incised lettering. The story of the crash is detailed in the information sign available next to the monument.
Source of photos: Pierre Pecastaingts, David Crooks / www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
A LA MÉMOIRE DES AVIATEURS AMERICAINS
du B-17F 42-5780 GN-N "Black Swan"
303rd Bomb Group - 427th Squadron
ABATTU PAR LA CHASSE ALLEMANDE
Le 1er MAI 1943 à 11 H 24
1 Lt |
STERLING Jay R. Pilot |
25 ans |
Tué |
2 Lt |
Neill John L. Co-Pilot |
25 ans |
Prisonnier |
2 Lt |
ROACH Harry E. Jr. Navigator |
22 ans |
Évadé |
2 Lt |
PARKER David H. Bombardier |
25 ans |
Prisonnier |
T/Sgt |
Fields Harley W. Radio Operator |
20 ans |
Tué |
T/Sgt |
GRIFFIN Powell E. Engineer/Top Turret Gunner |
24 ans |
Prisonnier |
S/Sgt |
McCORMACK Arthur R. Ball Turret Gunner |
31 ans |
Tué |
S/Sgt |
WHALON William R. Left Waist Gunner |
23 ans |
Tué |
S/Sgt |
CASHMAN Daniel J. Right Waist Gunner |
20 ans |
Tué |
S/Sgt |
CLEAVLIN Jessie C. Tail Gunner |
23 ans |
Tué |
English translation:
IN MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN AIRMEN
of the B-17F 42-5780 GN-N "Black Swan”
303rd Bomb Group - 427th Squadron
SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTERS
ON MAY 1, 1943 at 11:24 AM
1 Lt |
STERLING Jay R. Pilot |
25 yrs old |
Killed |
2 Lt |
Neill John L. Co-Pilot |
25 yrs old |
Prisoner |
2 Lt |
ROACH Harry E. Jr. Navigator |
22 yrs old |
Evaded |
2 Lt |
PARKER David H. Bombardier |
25 yrs old |
Prisoner |
T/Sgt |
Fields Harley W. Radio Operator |
20 yrs old |
Killed |
T/Sgt |
GRIFFIN Powell E. Engineer/Top Turret Gunner |
24 yrs old |
Prisoner |
S/Sgt |
McCORMACK Arthur R. Ball Turret Gunner |
31 yrs old |
Killed |
S/Sgt |
WHALON William R. Left Waist Gunner |
23 yrs old |
Killed |
S/Sgt |
CASHMAN Daniel J. Right Waist Gunner |
20 yrs old |
Killed |
S/Sgt |
CLEAVLIN Jessie C. Tail Gunner |
23 yrs old |
Killed |
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
303rd Bomber Group
427th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
United States Air Force
Wars:
WWII
Other images :