LT James Lovelace & Sgt Ellis Syra - Operation Carpetbagger
Details:
An engraving on the base of the town war memorial.
LT Lovelace and Sgt Syra were two members of a B-24 (42-95317) of the 850th Bomber Squadron, 801st Bomber Group crew shot down here on during the night of 4-5 July 1944. The crew was supporting an "Operation Carpetbagger" mission supporting the SOE when shot down.
Five members of the crew survived and escaped. One was taken prisoner. Lovelace and Syra were killed, and are honored on the town's war memorial.
Source:
https://harringtonmuseum.org
https://aircrewremembered.com
Monument Text:
IN MEMORY OF THE TWO AMERICAN AVIATORS
2/LT JAMES J.[sic] LOVELACE - SGT/C ELLIS H. SYRA
JULY 5, 1944
English translation:
IN MEMORY OF TWO AMERICAN AVIATORS
2LT JAMES J.[sic] LOVELACE - SERGEANT/C ELLIS H. SYRA
5 JULY 1944
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
801st Bomber Group
850th Bomber Squadron, 801st Bomber Group, Heavy
Special Operations Executive (SOE)
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Operation Carpetbagger