Shot down 17 April 1943 in B-17 #425394. Prisoner of War (POW). Engine fire in # 2 engine had developed earlier then after bombs dropped in Bremen, fighters attacked knocking out the #4 engine killing the RO, BTG and 2 WGs. At bale out, only one engine was operating. The a/c crashed at Benthullen, Germany. R. Strong reports Fortin was hit by something during bailout and suffered broken ribs. He apparently passed out to awaken snagged in a tree. Trying to escape before being found by the enemy, he used the quick release on the parachute which caused him to pass out again due to pain. He was at the Reserv Lazatt in Oldenburg recouperation for 6 weeks. NARA reports he was imprisoned in Stalag Luft 3 and moved to 49-11 in the Nuremburg area.















He was liberated by units of the American 3rd Army on 29 April 1945.















Completed 17 missions (10 as copilot and 7 as pilot).



POW; AM w/Oak Leaf Cluster;