Benjamin Howe, Jr. was born on October 20, 1920. He served in the 561st Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of #42-30068 aircraft during World War II.

On August 19, 1943, the unit was tasked for their 4th mission, a strike on Woensdrecht Airfield, but a mistake by the group's lead navigator brought them in 21 miles off-course. Diverting to a secondary target at Gilze-Rijon because of weather, the squadron began its bomb run.

The aircraft received flak hits in #4 engine, and began losing power and altitude. Dropping out of formation, the pilot executed a wide left turn and managed to regain his place in the formation after the squadron turned off target. This pace could not be maintained and intensive fighter attacks brought more damage.

Rapidly losing altitude over the Dutch coast, the aircraft fire was spreading. The pilot called "Bail Out" but only the navigator and bombardier were able to respond. The aircraft was last seen under fighter attack, burning fiercely, and losing altitude.

The two crew members who bailed out were captured by the Germans, interrogated, and sent to Stalag Luft III until they were liberated in May, 1945. The other 8 crewman all perished in the crash and fire, Benjamin was one of them. There is a mistake in the MACR #3068, however. The date of the event is given as 1944, not the actual 1943. 2Lt Howe is now buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA in a common grave with his crew. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com