Walter Rusch served in the 612th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner on the B-17 "Man O’War" #42-38033 during World War II. On March 20, 1944, his crew took off from Station 128 in Deenethorpe, England, on a bombing mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Shot down by flak, four crew members died as a result of this incident while the others were able to survive (including Sgt Rusch). Their airplane crashed between Courlandon and Breuil, France. Sgt Rusch was captured and taken as a prisoner. He was sent to Stalag Luft 17B near Krems, Austria.

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net