John Joseph “Pete” Fura was born on May 14, 1924, in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. He was the son of Jacob Fura and Helen Jasczewska Fura. He enlisted in the service on February 2, 1943. He served in the 844th Bomb Squadron, 489th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Waist Gunner during World War II.

On June 25, 1944, “Fay Day,” based at Halesworth, Suffolk, took off for a mission to Villacoublay, France, during the intense air operations following the D-Day landings. Shortly after departure, the aircraft was unable to reach the proper altitude, and the mission was aborted. As the crew attempted to return to base, the situation worsened. At approximately 18:32 hours, while approaching the area of Westhall, the aircraft turned sharply to the left during its attempted landing. It clipped willow trees near The Mill before crashing into a field along Hares Lane, behind Manor Farm Cottages. Moments after impact, the aircraft’s fuel tanks and onboard bombs exploded, destroying the bomber. Most of the crew were killed in the accident, with only two men surviving.

Sgt Fura was injured but survived the crash and continued his service until his honorable discharge on October 30, 1945. He died on July 14, 1997, and is now buried in the Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, americanarchive.iwm.org.uk