B-24 (41-23711) 'Jerks Natural' Crash Memorial- 93rd Bomber Group
Details:
Just off the hiking trail.
MarkerA large field stone with a brass inscribed plaque attached to the front.
The memorial remembers the B-24 (41-23711) 'Jerks Natural' of the 328th Bomber Squadron, 93rd Bomber Group, 8th Air Force.
The plane was shot down after a mission to Wiener Neustadt Bf-109 factory and crashed in Heilbrunn/Naintsch on October 1, 1943; the entire crew except for the Navigator were KIA. The Navigator, William W. Sykes,\ was taken prisoner and then later served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Most of the crew were also aware the Distinguished Flying Cross for serving in the August 1943 "Operation Tidal Wave" missions to the Ploesti, Romania oil fields.
Crew of JERKS NATURAL:
1st/Lt. William F. Stein Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. George B. Wilkinson, Jr Co Pilot KIA
Lt. William W. Sykes Navigator POW
2nd/Lt. John M. McDonough Bombardier KIA
T/Sgt. Jack W. Kasparian Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. William A. Staats, Jr Radio Op. KIA
T/Sgt. Larry H. White Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Philip G. Bedwell Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Lester J. Eby Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Adrian H. Smit Gunner KIA
2LT William Warren Sykes, the Navigator, parachuted out of the plane and survived after being a POW for the remainder of the war. He later served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Source:
DERLA
American Air Museum in Britian
Monument Text:
The plaque is written in German and English. The English Reads:
October 1, 1943
Nine American airmen died here after an air battle over the Messerschmitt factory at Wiener Neustadt.
The families of these men express their deep gratitude to the people of Heilbrunn and Brandlucken for the respect shown their loved ones.
Zur Brinnerung an (To Remember)
Philip G Bedwell
Lester J Eby
Jack W Kasparian
John M McDonough
Adrian H Smit
William A Staats Jr
William F Stein
L H White
George B Wilkinson
und
WilliamW Sykes,
der durch einen Fallschirmabsprung
gerettet wurde. (Saved by parachute)
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
328th Bomber Squadron, 93rd Bomber Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
93rd Bomber Group
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Operation Tidal Wave
Other images :
