Alvin Delaus "Al" Sparks was born on October 8, 1919, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the son of Walter Asa Sparks and Alma M Berger Sparks. He was married to Lillian Maxine Sparks.

Alvin served in the 571st Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-17 #42-97295 during World War II.

On May 27, 1944, his crew took off from Station 153 airfield in Framlingham, England, for a mission in Karlsruhe, Germany. At 13:06H, while returning from their mission, their plane was hit by flak and crashed 300 meters east of Cauchie-d'Ecques in the commune of Ecques, France. The plane hooked an electric pylon while attempting a landing. This incident killed five members of the crew, while the other five were able to survive but were taken as prisoners. SSgt Sparks was one of the survivors. He was hospitalized and then taken to Stalag Luft IV in Gross Tychow, Poland.

SSgt Sparks also served during the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force in 1963 and joined the Civil Service, where he continued working until he retired in 1985 at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Mont. Al worked for over 40 years in the military and Civil Service.

Mr. Sparks died on November 4, 2010, at the age of 91. He is now buried in the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, USA.

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