2nd Lt George C. “Whitey” Williams, bombardier of the B-17 42-29928, took off from station 167 in Ridgewell, Essex, UK at 0930 on a bombing mission over the aero engine factory of Le Mans. The aircraft was hit during its bombing run and forced to return early at low altitude due to damaged oxygen systems. On the way back, numerous enemy strafing runs fatally damaged the aircraft. It crashed at noon, killing three crew members, including Lt Williams. His remains were initially recovered by the Germans and buried in Alencon before being moved to its current resting place in 1948.