Name:
Louis F., Jr. Girard
Rank:
Second Lieutenant
Serial Number:
O-682848
Unit:
360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1944-06-12
State:
West Virginia
Cemetery:
Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Me
Plot:
A
Row:
18
Grave:
38
Decoration:
Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster
Comments:
2nd Lt Louis F. Girard Jr., co-pilot of the B-17 42-107048, took off from station 107 Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, UK on a bombing mission over the Cambrai and Epinoy airfields. The plane was flying in the #2 position, high element, high group. It was hit by flak between the #2 engine and fuselage approximately one minute before bombs away. Another flak burst hit directly in the bomb bay. The entire B-17 burst into flames, nosed down sharply, broken in half near the open bomb bay doors, and lost the left wing. The time was 0914. Only SSgt Vallee bailed out and was taken prisoner.