Ness Oscar R.

Monuments

Executed Airmen Memorial- B-24(42-51967) 'Strange Cargo'

Name:

Oscar R. Ness

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

Unit:

826th Bomber Squadron, 484th Bomber Group

Date of Death:

1945-03-04

State:

Washington

Cemetery:

Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Oscar R. Ness was born on May 16, 1922, in Washington. He served in the 826th Bomber Squadron, 484th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier of B-24J #42-51967 nicknamed ''Strange Cargo'' during World War II.

On March 4, 1945, the B-24 Strange Cargo was hit by flak during a bombing mission over Graz, Austria, tearing off its nose turret and sending it into a spin. Two crew members died in the aircraft, while others bailed out. Of those who parachuted to safety, two were taken as POWs, but four were murdered after capture. When local police refused an SS order to execute the Americans, a German soldier killed four of them.

2Lt Ness was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

Source of information:paulmcguire1.com, aircrewremembered.com