Dale Livingston Lasselle was born on April 12, 1915 in Albany, Oregon. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Dale attended Grant High School, Portland, Oregon. He was a successful athlete and football star, playing half-back for the University of Oregon Ducks between 1936 and 1939.
Called up at Randolph Field, Texas, he trained there and Kelly Field, Texas. After his commission, he received a posting to McDill Field, Tampa, Florida. While based there, he met and married Jane Lea.
Dale served in the 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Captain during World War II. He was the Co-pilot on B-17F Flying Fortress #41-24451 that crashed in Mount Slieveanorra, near Cushendall, Northern Ireland while in transit to Great Britain due to bad weather. Eight of the ten on board were killed, including CPT Laselle, while two survived.
Killed aboard were:
1st Lt. John A. McLean, Pilot
2nd Lt. Leonard L. Koebel, Bombardier
Capt. Dale L. Lasselle - Co-Pilot
Capt. George C. Wassell - passenger
Sgt. Robert J. Vaughan - Gunner
Cpl. John N. Gibson - Radio operator
Pvt. Justin C. Hamblin - Engineer
Survivors:
Corp. Leon Harrison - Flight Engineer
PFC Norman E. Wicks - Radio Operator
CPT Laselle is buried now in the Finley-Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Portland, Oregon.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, wartimeni.com