Name:
Elmer Leon Shue
Rank:
Technical Sergeant
Serial Number:
34036552
Unit:
332nd Bomber Squadron, 94th Bomber Group (Heavy)
Date of Death:
1997-10-07
State:
North Carolina
Cemetery:
West Lawn Memorial Park, China Grove, Rowan County, North Carolina
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
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Comments:
TSgt Elmer L. Shue was the top gunner of the B-17G-1-BO 42-31110 QE-M "Pacific’s Dream" when it took off from Station 468 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK, on December 31st, 1943 during Mission VIII BC171 in order to bomb the Cognac-Châteaubernard area. At 1221, just after they had dropped their bombs, the plane was hit by flak. Two engines caught fire and one was rendered inoperable. Unable to maintain formation, the pilot lowered the plane and ordered the crew to jump. After gliding a bit, the plane meandered to what is now the D144 and crashed. Upon reaching the ground, Shue was taken prisoner and sent to Stalag 17B in Braunau, Gneikendorf. He was eventually liberated and left the service on July 4th, 1945.