Burl Elmer Huitt was born on November 10, 1919, in Kansas. He was the son of Elmer Franklin Huitt and Lela Fay Huitt. He married Elsie Fisher on June 20, 1943, in Ft. Stockton, Texas.

Burl graduated from Pierce High School and attended Barnes Business School in Denver for one year. He served in the 328th Bomber Squadron, 93rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Left Waist Gunner on the B-24 #42-100294 'Victory Belle' during World War II.

On June 24, 1944, the crew took off from Sation 104 airfield in Hardwick, England, on a bombing mission to Chateaudun and Toussus-le-Noble in France. At around 08:45h, their plane was shot by flak and crashed between Treon and Aunay-sous-Crecy. The airplane was partially evacuated by the members at 21,000 feet before the in-flight explosion. Five members were killed in this incident, two survivors were captured by the Germans, while four evaded the capture (including 2Lt Huitt). He was one of the 152 allied airmen and soldiers who were helped and hidden in the Freteval Forest camp by the French Resistance to evade German capture.

Post-war, Burl lived in Canon City, Colorado, for 20 years before moving to Greeley in 1977. He served as Vice President of Greeley Gas Company for 39 years, retiring in 1985.

Burl was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Mason Occidental Lodge #20, and El Jebel Shrine Temple in Denver. He was very community-minded and active in affairs to promote the community and volunteer work. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Huitt died on February 4, 2011, at the age of 91. He is now buried in the Linn Grove Cemetery, Greeley, Weld County, Colorado, USA.

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net, www.findagrave.com