1st Lt Ward A. Kuentzel -479th Fighter Group
Details:
On the roadside of the D806 in town.
A large rough-hewn stone in which a rectangular bronze plaque is affixed. The plaque is inscribed in French in raised lettering. Also on the plaque is the 434th Fighter Squadron insignia and a P-38 Lightning, both in relief. This stele evokes the crash of a P38J Lightning of the 434th FS, 479th FG, and the death of its pilot, 1LT Ward Kuentzel on June 19, 1944. The crash took place in a meadow behind the stele, following a mid-air collision with the P-38 of Lt Lieutenant Frank Grdenich.
A memorial also commemorates 2LT Frank Grdenich. See Site: Aubusson
Monument Text:
1ST LIEUTENANT
WARD A. KUENTZEL
PILOTE USAAF
G 479 |
SQ 434 |
O-730534 |
MORT POUR NOTRE LIBERTE
LE 19 JUIN 1944
AUX COMMANDES DE SON P-38 LIGHTNING
English translation:
1ST LIEUTENANT
WARD A. KUENTZEL
USAAF PILOT
G 479 |
SQ 434 |
O-730534 |
DIED FOR OUR FREEDOM
ON JUNE 19, 1944
AT THE CONTROLS OF HIS P-38 LIGHTNING
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group
8th Air Force
United States Air Force
Wars:
WWII
Other images :