Killed in Action (KIA) 21 April 1945 in AC #4463712.



AM w/ 6 Oak Leaf Cluster/ PH

78th FG 84th FS. Lt Sole from Clarksburg, W.Va., was KIA on 21st April 1945. Eye witness account of his crash is from the 78th FG records, ‘ “We went down to tree-top level on our way out, trying to get under the weather and find an aerodrome for Lt. Sole whose aircraft was low on gas,. The weather was very poor – rain and thunderstorms, very limited visibility and a ceiling of 2,000 ft.



West of Koblenz, we came to a solid front of thunderstorms and the ceiling and visibility became zero. Because the country was very hilly and heavily wooded I led my flight up through the front to 13,000 feet. Lt Sole called about this time, 1340 hours, saying, “Shampoo Leader (Capt Ledington). I have just hit a tree and my left wing is badly damaged.” Capt Ledington did not answer this call so I called Lt Sole, telling him to take a 180 degree turn and start climbing until he ran out of gas and then either bail out or belly in. Lt Sole said, “Roger”. I estimate that Lt Sole had about 10 minutes of gas left at this time. I tried to contact both Lt Sole and Capt Ledington after that, but neither answered me.” ‘

Lt Sole bailed out at about 300 feet, but his parachute did not open in time.