CPT James Walker Memorial Plaque
Details:
In a playground at the center of the village.
Walker and the 496th Fighter Interceptor Squadron received orders to head to an air base in Tripoli, Libya, for training. On the way home from Libya, Walker stopped over in Italy, then headed back toward Germany, avoiding the overflight of Switzerland. It was above Saint-Jean-de-Niost that his engine showed signs of irreparable failure and that his journey ended.
The fighter plane lost altitude above the hill of Saint-Denis, spun, and crashed. James had tried to eject. Evidence found on the crashed jet indicated that the ejection seat malfunctioned. According to a report, witness statements and general conversation around the crashed aircraft confirm the fact that the pilot in his last moment of flight, purposely slid his aircraft away from the village of Saint-Jean-de-Niost.
The fighter plane lost altitude above the hill of Saint-Denis, spun, and crashed. James had tried to eject. Evidence found on the crashed jet indicated that the ejection seat malfunctioned. According to a report, witness statements and general conversation around the crashed aircraft confirm the fact that the pilot in his last moment of flight, purposely slid his aircraft away from the village of Saint-Jean-de-Niost.
Source of information: www-bugeycotiere-fr., www.chicagotribune.com
Monument Text:
A la Mémoire de James WALKER 1932-1960 Capitaine de l'US AIR
FORCE décédé accidentellement
sur la commune le 22 Août 1960 English
translation: In memory of
James Walker (1932-1960), Captain US Air Force, who accidentally crashed in the
village on August 22nd 1960.
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
United States Air Force
Wars:
Cold War
Other images :
