42-93095

Assigned to 91TCS, 439TCG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) D-day mission to Normandy. Hit by flak, with an engine on fire, pilot 1Lt Harold A Capelluto tried to land the plane in a field but a wing clipped a hedgerow and the A/C crashed, exploding, killing all aboard, Beuzeville-au-Plain, Manche, France. 5 x crew and 17 x paratroopers** Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 8408.



** HQ section of E Company, 506th PIR, 2nd Battalion, 101st Airborne Division:



1st Lt Thomas Meehan, 1st Sgt William S Evans, S/Sgt Murray B Roberts, Sgt's Elmer L Murray Jr, Owen E Richard, Carl N Riggs, T5's Herman F Collins, Jerry A Wentzel, Ralph H Wimer, PFC's George L Elliot, William T McConigal, John N Miller, Sergio G Moya, Gerald R Snider, Elmer L Telstad, Thomas W Warren, PVT Earnest L Oats.

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 439th Troop Carrier Group 91st Troop Carrier Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11998072 / O-530935
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 439th Troop Carrier Group 91st Troop Carrier Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16077042 / O-696844
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 439th Troop Carrier Group 91st Troop Carrier Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-698426
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 439th Troop Carrier Group 91st Troop Carrier Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36476582
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Radio operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 439th Troop Carrier Group 91st Troop Carrier Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18201054
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer

Places

Aerial photograph of Upottery airfield looking west, the main runway runs vertically, barrack sites are to the bottom right of the airfield, 15 March 1944. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/CT/91/541. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Smeatharpe

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

50480 Beuzeville-au-Plain, France 6 June 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) D-day mission to Normandy. Hit by flak, with an engine on fire, pilot tried to land the plane in a field but a wing clipped a hedgerow and the A/C crashed, exploding, killing all aboard, Beuzeville-au-Plain, Manche, France. 22 x KIA. MACR 8408.

Manufactured

Long Beach, California, USA Built at Douglas.

Delivered

Beale AFB, CA, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Upottery, Honiton EX14, UK Assigned to 91TCS, 439TCG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 8408 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database