Girard Louis F., Jr.

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Louis F., Jr. Girard is honored on the following 1 monument(s) in our database:

B-17 (42-107048) 'Tangerine' Crash Memorial

Name:

Louis F., Jr. Girard

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-682848

Unit:

360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-06-12

State:

West Virginia

Cemetery:

Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Me

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster

Comments:

2nd Lt Louis F. Girard Jr., co-pilot of the B-17 42-107048, took off from station 107 Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, UK on a bombing mission over the Cambrai and Epinoy airfields. The plane was flying in the #2 position, high element, high group. It was hit by flak between the #2 engine and fuselage approximately one minute before bombs away. Another flak burst hit directly in the bomb bay. The entire B-17 burst into flames, nosed down sharply, broken in half near the open bomb bay doors, and lost the left wing. The time was 0914. Only SSgt Vallee bailed out and was taken prisoner.