Killed in Action (KIA) parachute did not open after plane fell from sky. B-24 #42-51116. [see note below: Louis Zusser DID NOT DIE in this crash]



There are conflicting reports about Louis Zusser. There is compelling evidence to suggest that he survived this crash. Investigations continue . . .



. . . that Sgt Zusser survived this crash has been confirmed by his grandson (May 2015). He is mentioned in several newspaper reports, married, had children, and lived in Los Angeles, CA. He held a patent for a curling iron, issued in 1977. He died in 2001 at the age of 79.



. . . Sgt. Louis H. Zusser survived the B-24H 42-51116 crash on 7 June 1944 as shown in the U.S. Army Air Forces From No. 14 "Report of Aircraft Accident", dated 7 June 1944; and the record of his hospitalization shown on U.S. WWII Hospital Admission File Card Admission date June 1944 and Discharge date December 1944.

...Sgt. Louis H. Zusser visited Camp Ellis, IL in August of 1944 according to the 25 Aug 1944 edition of The Camp Ellis News.  Headline reads "Bomber Exploded, Chute Collapsed, But 13th Mission Was Still His Lucky Trip, Macomb Sargeant, Aerial Cameraman, Visit Ellis on Convalescent Leave"   https://bit.ly/3VNwTAe