The marker is in a wooded area attached to a large boulder.

The marker is an inscribed brass plate attached to a boulder.

On June 3, 1944, 18 B-25 Aircraft of the 486^th Bomber Squadron; 340^th Bomber Group; 57^th Bomber Wing, took off from the Alesan Airfield in Corsica.  Their target was a railroad bridge located at Lagaro Nord, about 45 km south of Bologna.  The mission (#164) was part of “Operation Strangle”, the operation focused on cutting off the enemy from getting supplies to the front-line troops. The mission was a success with bombs hitting the target.  One B-25, however was hit by anti-aircraft fire near the target and struggled back to base.  B-25 (43-27727) piloted by 1^st LT Coleman Sellers with a crew of 5 was hit and had an engine aflame.  Sellers was able to level the aircraft so the crew could bail out.  Reports indicated either 5 or 6 chutes and a plane that crashed about 25 kms southwest of the target and burst into flames.  Of the crew, two evaded the enemy and returned to duty; three where captured, and one died in the crash. 

The crew of 43-27727 included and their status:

1^ST Lt. Coleman Sellers, Pilot - Liberated

2^nd Lt. Alfred E Coons, Co-Pilot - POW

2^nd Lt. Bradford A. Tupper, Bombardier - POW

T/Sgt. John F. McDonough, Armorer/ Gunner - Liberated

T/Sgt. Ralph H. Koebcke, Radio Op/ Gunner - KIA

S/Sgt. Gerald J. Carey, Tail Gunner - POW

The local Italian community placed a plaque at the crash site remembering the sacrifice of the crew. The point of impact is still visible today.

References: Missing Aircraft Report {MACR} 5453 and the research of   “ Quadri – Venturi “ of Quadri Gabriella e Venturi Pierpaolo and for use of photos from their historic collection (Collezione Storica) , and historical researchers Mr. Federico Cini (Independent Historical Researcher) and Mr.Enzo Lanconelli (Assocazione Aerei Perduti). 

The text on the marker is in Italian and reads:

QUI CADDE IL 3 GUIGNO 1944 IL VIEVOLO B-25J

DEL 486^TH BOMB SQUADRON- US ARMY AIR FORCE

MISSIONE N.164

PONTE FERROVIARO DI LAGARO NORD

(IMAGE OF THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A 6W ABOVE 327727)

1^ST Lt. Coleman Sellers -  Pilot - Liberated

2^nd Lt. Alfred E Coons  - Co-Pilot - POW

2^nd Lt. Bradford A. Tupper - Bombardier - POW

S/Sgt. John F. McDonough - Turrete Gunner - Liberated

S/Sgt. Ralph H. Koebcke - Radio Gunner -  KIA

S/Sgt. Gerald J. Carey  - Tail Gunner -  POW

“…E questa storia il brav ‘uomo insegnera’ a suo figlio: e il giorno di Crsipino e’ Crispiano non passera’ mai, da questo giorno sino alla fine del mondo

Senza che in esso ci si ricordi di noi….”

(W. Shakesspeare da l’Enrico V, atto IV, Sc III)

English translation of text:

HERE FELL ON 3 JUNE 1944 A B-25 J AIRCRAFT

OF THE 486^TH BOMBER SQUADRON – U.S. ARMY AIRFORCE

MISSION NO. 164

RAILROAD BRIDE AT LAGARO NORTH

(IMAGE OF THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A 6W ABOVE 327727)

1^ST Lt. Coleman Sellers – Pilot - Liberated

2^nd Lt. Alfred E Coons  - Co-Pilot  - POW

2^nd Lt. Bradford A. Tupper -  Bombardier - POW

S/Sgt. John F. McDonough  - Turret Gunner -  Liberated

S/Sgt. Ralph H. Koebcke  - Radio Gunner - KIA

S/Sgt. Gerald J. Carey - Tail Gunner - POW

….This story shall the good man teach his son; 
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, 
From this day to the ending of the world, 
But we in it shall be remember'd….

(W. SHAKESPEARE FROM HENRY V, ACT IV, SCENE III)