2Lt Ralph L. Coleman Memorial
Details:
On the left side, next to the town war memorial.
Monument
A rectangular slab bearing a square bronze plaque in memory of 2Lt Coleman. The plaque is printed with a commemoration message that is written in French. Above the message is an etching of 2Lt Coleman while below the message is an etching of a P-51 Mustang. 2Lt Coleman’s aircraft crashed in Mantilly on June 19, 1944, after his airplane collided with 2Lt Willis Reeves due to poor weather conditions. 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. Ralph L. COLEMAN
Pilote du 355th FG - 358th FS
de la 8th USAAF
Mort pour notre liberté le 19 Juin 1944,
à l'age de 28 ans,
aux commandes de son P-51 Mustang
au lieu dit le Douet Gasnier
La Commune Reconnaissante
English translation:
In memory of the sacrifice
of Lt. Ralph L. COLEMAN
Pilot of the 355th FG - 358th FS
of the 8th USAAF
Died for our freedom on June 19, 1944,
at the age of 28,
at the controls of his P-51 Mustang
at the place called Douet Gasnier
The Commune is Grateful
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
358th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group
8th Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :