Vernon Vance Reich was born on July 12, 1922, in North Vernon, Indiana. He was the son of George Frederick Reich and Pearl Vance Reich.

Vernon served in the 642nd Bomber Squadron, 409th Bomber Group, Light, as a Sergeant and Gunner on the A-20 Havoc # 43-10128 during World War II. On June 6, 1944, his crew took off from Station 165 airfield in Little Walden, England, for a mission in Valognes, France. At around 01:50 PM, their plane was shot down by flak and crashed in flames in Tamerville. Two crew members were killed (including Sgt Reich), while the other two survived but were captured and taken as prisoners. Sgt Reich is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France. He has a cenotaph in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Corydon, Harrison County, Indiana, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov francecrashes39-45.net