2Lt Willis W. Reeves, Jr. Monument
Details:
On the west side of the road.
Monument
A stele bearing a square bronze plaque containing a commemoration message that is written in French. Also included on the plaque are the photos of 2Lt Reeves and a depiction of a P-51 aircraft. The pilot of the P-51 "LEAKIN LIZZ" - type B-5 - s/n 43-6523 YF-E, 2Lt Reeves crashed on June 19, 1944, following an air collision with his wingman 2nd Lt Ralph Coleman. Returning from a bomber mission escort from the Bordeaux-Mérignac airfields, a chain of circumstances associated with the lack of visibility due to thick fog, seven P-51 and P-38 fighters were lost (mid-air collisions and space disorientation).
Source of photos: BONNET / www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
A la mémoire du sacrifice
du Lt. Willis W. REEVES, Jr
Pilote du 355th FG - 358th FS
de la 8th USAAF
Mort pour notre liberté le 19 Juin 1944,
à l'age de 19 ans,
aux commandes de son P-51 Mustang
en ce lieu
La France Reconnaissante
English translation:
In memory of the sacrifice
of Lt. Willis W. REEVES, Jr
Pilot of the 355th FG - 358th FS
of the 8th USAAF
Died for our freedom on June 19, 1944,
at the age of 19,
at the controls of his P-51 Mustang
in this place
The gratitude of France
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
358th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group
8th Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :