Monument Details

B-24 (42-95241) aka 'Jolly Duck' Crash Site Marker

Details:

Just off a narrow road in a small carve out near a dike. Marker

A metal sign held by metal pipe; area surrounded by a fence. The site includes an information sign.

The memorial remembers the crash of B-24 (42-95241) also known as the “Jolly Duck” of the 578th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, 8th US Air Force. On February 22, 1945, the “Jolly Duck” was on a bombing mission over Germany. After completing mission on the return flight, the plane lost two engines. The pilots were able to make a controlled crash landing in Zoeterwoude, Holland; all of the nine-man crew survived. The plane commander, Pilot Walker directed the crew split up in order to evade capture. Some were captured; others were able to evade and return to duty with the assistance of Dutch Resistance.

McCormick was assisted by the Dutch Resistance to a nearby hunting lodge "Het Jachthuis" on the banks of the River Rotte. There he decided to stay and fight with the Dutch Resistance, which he did for the next two months. On April 29, 1945, the enemy attacked “Het Jachthuis” killing McCormick. SSG McCormick is buried in nearby; see site Zoetermeer - Old Church. He is buried along side three of the Dutch resistance fighters.

The Crew of the B-24 included:

1/Lt Joseph R. Walker, pilot, evaded capture;
2/Lt Ralph C. Casstevens, copilot, Evaded Capture;
1/Lt John J. Donohue, bombardier-navigator, Evaded Capture;
S/Sgt Harold A. Shea, nose gunner, POW;
Sgt Francis J. Nagle, radio operator, POW
S/Sgt Allan W. Hicks, engineer, POW;
S/Sgt John E. McCormick, waist gunner, KIA;
S/Sgt John A.H. Lingle, waist gunner, POW;
S/Sgt Elmer E. Duerr, tail gunner, Evaded Capture

Several Dutch citizens are also remembered on the marker; they were killed in the days following the crash when Allied Air Forces returned to destroy the mostly intact plane.

Source: https://www.b24.net/storiesMcCormick.htm

A memorial to the Dutch Resistance and SSG McCormick is located at site: Zevenhuizen - Het Jachthuis, " Reflection Towards the Future" Monument.

Monument Text:

Outline of a B-24H Aircraft

Coin for the 392nd Bomber Group

Aircrew: Walker. 378th BS

22 February 1945

TARGET: NORTHEIM

Missing Aircraft Report: #12658

B-24 (42-95241) 'Jolly Duck' G-BAR 37th Mission

Crew Position and Status

P 1/Lt Joseph R. Walker EVD
CP 2/Lt Ralph C. Casstevens EVD
B-N 1/Lt John J. Donohue EVD
NG S/Sgt Harold A. Shea POW
R/O SGT Francis J. Nagle POW
EnG S/Sgt Allan W. Hicks POW
WG S/Sgt John E. McCormick EVD-KIA 29/04/1945
WG S/Sgt John A.H. Lingle POW
TG S/Sgt Elmer E. Duerr EVD