Clyde Gregory Whitt was born on January 6, 1923, in Brooksdale, Person County, North Carolina. He was the son of Mary Lee Whitt. He served in the 577th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Bombardier of B-24H #42-7546, nicknamed "Alfred II" during World War II.

On April 29, 1944, Alfred II departed RAF Wendling on a daylight bombing mission to Germany. Before reaching the target, the bomber was heavily damaged by German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, losing its hydraulic system, suffering severe engine and control damage, and sustaining multiple fuel tank hits. Pilot 2Lt John W. Reed IV jettisoned the bomb load and successfully flew the crippled aircraft back to the Norfolk coast. Near Walcott, he ordered his nine crewmembers to bail out, all of whom escaped safely. SSgt Whitt survived the crash and returned to active duty.

SSgt Whitt was later assigned to the B-24H #42-50287 as a right waist gunner. On June 23, 1944, the aircraft participated in Mission No. 121, a bombing raid against the German airfield at Athies-sous-Laon, France. Shortly after releasing its bombs, the Liberator was struck by German anti-aircraft fire (flak), sustaining significant damage over the target. As the formation returned toward England, the damaged bomber was hit by a second burst of flak near Dunkirk, which tore away a propeller and sent the aircraft into an uncontrollable spin. Witnesses reported seeing three parachutes before the aircraft crashed southeast of Dunkirk at approximately 9:30 p.m. German recovery reports later confirmed that six crew members were killed in the crash, while the remaining four successfully parachuted to safety but were captured and taken prisoner.

SSgt Whitt was among the four crew members who perished in the wreckage. He is now buried in the Burchwood Cemetery, Roxboro, Person County, North Carolina, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.geograph.org.uk, francecrashes39-45.net, b24.net