S/sgt Henry F. Jurgens, Left Waist Gunner, parachuted from his crippled B-24 Liberator, tail # 42-50758 "YMCA Flying Service II" on the eve of his 15th combat mission over the European Continent. On the 12th day of September, 1944 the crew embarked on a combat mission targeting an oil refinery in Hannover, Germany. After successfully deploying their munitions, the aircraft was critically damaged by anti-aircraft fire. The evacuation order was given after the aircraft sustained catastrophic damage to the #2 and #4 engines. 8 of the 9 crew members safely egressed and were captured by the enemy West of Hannover-Minden. The remains of the 9th crew member, Radio Operator T/Sgt Joe Cooper was recovered from the wreckage 500 meters South of Niederkaufungen.