Phillip James Crossman was born on May 19, 1924, in Lima, Ohio. He was the son of Darwin and Theresa Crossman. He was married first to Ireta Glenna Lydick Crossman and later to Leola Froedge Crossman. He graduated from Air War College. He enlisted in the service on January 5, 1943. He served in the 765th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of B-24J #42-50953, nicknamed "Flying Finger," during World War II.

On December 17, 1944, the “Flying Finger” took off from Torretta, Italy, as part of Mission No. 151 to bomb the synthetic oil refinery at Odertal, Germany. The “Flying Finger,” piloted by him, was last seen around 11:45 a.m. near Muglitz, Moravia. It never returned. The aircraft went down south of Neutitschein (now Nový Jičín, Czech Republic) after encountering heavy flak and German fighters, with four crewmen killed and the rest wounded or taken prisoner.

2Lt Crossman was taken prisoner and held at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia. After the war, he resumed active duty, went on to serve in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and ultimately completed his career with the rank of Colonel. He died on January 18, 2011, and is now buried in the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery, Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky, USA.

Source of information: 461st.org, www.americanairmuseum.com, bgdailynews.com