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B-17 (42-30032) 'Sky Queen' Crash Memorial

<< Back to Opende Protestant Church and Cemetery

Details:

The memorial is located in the southwestern half of the cemetery, i.e. behind the church. It is located just in front of a small red brick wall and plot of Commonwealth War Graves. Monument


This gray stone monument rests on a simple stone base and commemorates (in Dutch) the crew of the B-17F "Flying Fortress," known as "Sky Queen," that crashed near Opende on July 28, 1943.  The names of nine crew members who were killed in the crash are listed in black lettering. The two surviving crew members were held as Prisoners of War. 

Monument Text:

TER NAGEDACHTENIS

AAN DE BEMANNING VAN DE B 17 F

„SKY QUEEN“

 

1. LT. W DIETEL JR.

2. LT. J. E. RIDDEL

2. LT. H. W. FUNK JR.

2. LT. C. W. DAVIS

2. LT. K. C. DUTTON

T/SGT. L. DUNMEYER

S/SGT. J. L. MASON

S/SGT. E. AMORY

S/SGT. W. D. MARTIN

28 JULI 1943

 

 

English Translation:

 

In Memory

Of the Crew of the B-17F

"Sky Queen"

1. Lt. W Dietel Jr.

2. Lt. J. E. Riddel

2. Lt. H. W. Funk Jr.

2. Lt. C. W. Davis

2. Lt. K. C. Dutton

T/Sgt. L. Dunmeyer

S/Sgt. J. L. Mason

S/Sgt. E. Amory

S/Sgt. W. D. Martin

28 July 1943

Commemorates:

People:

Edward Amory

Clyde W. Davis

William, Jr. Dietel

Lawrence E. Dunmeyer

Kenneth C. Dutton

Herbert W., Jr. Funk

Wyman D. Martin

Jack Leonard Mason

Jacques E. Riddel

Units:

384th Bomb Group (Heavy)

545th Bomber Squadron, 384th Bomb Group, Heavy

8th Air Force

United States Air Force

Wars:

WWII