Dennis James McDarby was born on March 30, 1923. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1942 and the University of St. Louis. He served in the 364th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of the B-17 #42-3436 during World War II.

On October 14, 1943, the B-17F Flying Fortress #42-3436 joined a major Allied mission to bomb Schweinfurt's industrial targets. Known as "Black Thursday," the raid faced fierce resistance, with bombers lacking long-range fighter escorts. The aircraft came under heavy attack from German fighters, suffering critical damage, including hits to its number 2 engine. Around 13:45, the B-17 broke apart midair. The tail section, with two deceased waist gunners, fell near a Dutch coal mine, while the nose section crashed in Germany near Finkenrath. Five crew members survived but were captured; the co-pilot was never found.

2Lt McDarby was captured by German forces and held as a prisoner of war, spending most of his captivity at Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Germany. He participated in a 52-mile forced march to Spremberg in January 1945 and was eventually transferred to Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, where he was liberated on April 29, 1945. 2Lt McDarby died on May 22, 2006, and is now buried in the Asbury Cemetery, Morristown, Shelby County, Indiana, USA.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com