B-17 (42-32245) 'Old Man' Memorial 447th Bomb Group
Details:
The Memorial stands in Arthur Clark Park, which is also dedicated to the memory of 2nd Lt. Arthur Clark, Co-Pilot of the B-17 Bomber.
Monument
On February 6, 1944, while returning to base, the G-K 42-31145 'Old Man' (Sometimes referred to as "hi-Jinx") took Flak over Wissous, France, killing Pilot Lt Allen S. Reed and Navigator 2nd Lt James Campbell. Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Clark ordered the rest of the crew to bail out, then guided the damaged bomber into a field to avoid crashing directly into the town of Wissous. 2nd Lt Clark was killed in the crash, and another crew member, 2nd Lt. Thomas Wilkins, was shot by German soldiers while parachuting to the ground. The remaining crew members were captured.
The memorial plaque is dedicated to the crew of the bomber, and each of the four pillars holding up the plaque is dedicated to one of the soldiers killed in action. The Park itself is dedicated to 2nd Lt Arthur Clark for his heroic actions protecting the people of Wissous.
Monument Text:
On
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
447th Bomber Group
708th Bomber Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
Wars:
WWII
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