Bernard J. Elsen served in the 379th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group as a Second Lieutenant during World War II. On May 19,1944, his group attacked the marshalling yards at Busigny, France, causing "railroad cars to be blown into the air," according to Lt. Bill Moore of the 379th. Four planes strafed the area but were dissuaded from this activity by a flak tower in the woods northeast of the target, which threw up an intense barrage. One P-47, flown by Lt. Bernard J. Eisen, was damaged by its fire; his fellow pilots heard him radio that he had been hit. After five minutes, Eisen radioed, "Sorry, I can't make it. I'm losing altitude. I'll have to go down." A response from one of his flight members came back: "OK boy, hurry back!" Elson was last seen 15 miles west of Cambrai; no one saw a crash or a parachute and his status was listed as missing in action. 2LT Elsen was captured by Germans and was imprisoned at Stalag 7A Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11). Final information at the end of the conflict was Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net, Thunderbolts Triumphant, The 362nd Fighter Group vs Germany's Wehrmacht, www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org