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1st Lt Ward A. Kuentzel -479th Fighter Group

<< Back to Montilly-sur-Noireau

Details:

On the roadside of the D806 in town.

Monument


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:

Frank Grdenich

Ward Albert Kuentzel

Units:

434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group

8th Air Force

United States Air Force

Wars:

WWII

Other images :