Assigned to 383FS, 364FG, 8AF USAAF. Best friend of Lt Roy C Blaha. Failed to Return (FTR) strafing mission to NE Paris in P-51D 44-13797, his element strafed a camouflaged train in a siding, on the fourth pass, out of ammo and following his element leader, who still had ammo, flew through massive explosion from train, which ripped off the A/C's wings and tail. Crashed Remy, near Compiegne. Pilot Lt Houston L Braly Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 8672.



The plane landed in a garden in the front of a house, setting the house afire. As the house had running water, the villagers were able to quickly extinguish it. Next, they did their best to extricate the body of Lt Houston Braly. The fallen pilot's body was carried to a nearby building and wrapped in the silk of his parachute and covered with fresh flowers. Later, having been interred in Remy cemetery, those villagers would defy Nazi orders and continue to pile his gravesite with flowers.



Awards: PH.