Preserving the Heritage

The 384th Bomb Group Heritage Association has established a number of memorials, both in the United States and in England. These memorials are a tribute to those men of the 384th who lost their lives in the quest for freedom during World War II, and to those who are no longer with us. They are permanent reminders of the heritage and the traditions established by the men of the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy).

Photographs of many memorials mentioned below - and more - can be found in the Memorials of the 384th Bomb Group photo album, on the 384th Bomb Group Heritage Association research website photo gallery.

Historic Wendover Airfield, Wendover, Utah

The 384th Bomb Group was established at Wendover Army Air Field in January 1943. Combat training continued there for three months, after which the Group moved on to Sioux City Army Air Base for additional training.

A smaller reproduction of the Memorial Stained Glass Window in Grafton Underwood has been placed in the Historic Wendover Airfield Museum in Wendover (Utah), along with other mementos from the Group.

Hill Aerospace Museum, Ogden, Utah

A replica of the Memorial Stained Glass Window is located in the Col. Nathan H. Mazer Memorial Chapel, near Hill Aerospace Museum, Ogden, Utah. It was dedicated on September 8, 1989. It is significant for the Memorial Window and Memorial Monument to be located at Hill Air Force Base, as Hill Field was the parent base of Wendover Army Air Field in western Utah where the 384th Bombardment Group (H) originally trained in B-17s.

A duplicate of the American Bell was dedicated at the Heritage Chapel, Museum Complex, Hill AFB on May 9, 1997. It was produced at the same foundry in England that made the original bell.

The 384th Bomb Group Commemorative Wing Panel is now on permanent display at the museum as the centerpiece of an Eighth Air Force exhibit. 154 veterans of the Group signed the wing panel in a nine-year project that took place over the course of September 2010 to September 2019. Some even added a note or comment relating to their service with the group. One statistic stands out about this artifact: of the 141 combat crewmen who signed, at least one was on each of the 316 combat missions flown by the 384th Bomb Group. Additional interesting statistics can be found on the 384th Bomb Group Heritage Association research website.

National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Pooler (Savannah), Georgia

The 384th Bomb Group, Inc. placed a duplicate Memorial Monument, and a model of a 384th B-17 with a ten foot wingspan at the 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, Georgia (near Savannah). The aircraft is named Big Dog after Walter Lewis "Bill", "Big Dog" Harvey, a 384th pilot.

Another replica of the Memorial Stained Glass Window has been placed in a replica of a British Church at the 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, Georgia (near Savannah).

Several plaques dedicated to various 384th Bomb Group aircraft and crews can also be found at the 8th Air Force Museum, including: 

• The Natural (B-17F 42-5852) 

• Sneakin' Deacon (B-17G 44-6141) 

• Lazy Daisy (B-17G 42-31222)

• Snuffy (B-17G 42-97251)

• Vertical Shaft (B-17F 42-29956) 

• Passes Cancelled (B-17F 42-3069)

• Jamaica Mary (B-17G 42-97201) 

• 2nd Lt. Cliff Moore crew

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado

A 384th Bombardment Group (H) Plaque is mounted on the Memorial Wall in the United States Air Force Academy Memorial Cemetery, Colorado. The plaque was dedicated on May 30, 1986.

A plaque mounted on a walnut base telling the history of the Group is located in the United States Air Force Academy, along with a model of one the 384th B-17 Flying Fortresses. These were presented on May 31, 1988.

Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, Ocala Park, Florida

Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park is an 8.5-acre park dedicated to U.S. military service members from 1610 to present. On display at the park are 100 plaques, 200 benches, and over 5,000 commemorative bricks. Three of those bricks are dedicated to the 384th Bomb Group as a whole, and to veterans, John DeFrancesco (pilot) and Paul J. Bureau (airplane armorer). 

Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire

The 384th Bomb Group (H) flew all of its WWII combat missions from Grafton Underwood Airfield - also known as US Army Air Forces Station 106 - near the village of Grafton Underwood.

Just north of the Village, a Memorial Monument and the Memorial Avenue of Trees were dedicated on 5 October 1985. This is located on the (former) main runway 6/24 of Grafton Underwood Airfield, where it is now crossed by the road to Geddington. The original Memorial Monument was dedicated on September 25, 1977, but was later replaced because of weather damage. A plaque for the Memorial Avenue of Trees was dedicated on May 4, 1991. 

The Budd Peaslee Avenue of trees run alongside the left and right of the Memorial Monument. There is also a Pop Dolan Avenue of trees not pictured. 

Kettering, Northamptonshire

In Kettering, Northamptonshire, hand-carved statues of St. Christopher stand in both St. Edwards Parish Church, (Catholic), and St. Paul and St. Peter Parish Church, (Church of England). These statues were presented to the churches in 1945 by the men of the 384th Zebra (NCO) and Officers Clubs. An official dedication was held on May 13, 1979.

A silver chalice and paten set were presented to St. Edwards Church in memory of the men and families of the 384th Bombardment Group (H), and the American and British fighter pilots. The presentation took place on May 13, 1979. A Foundation Mass is held each May as long as St. Edwards Church is in existence.

The belfry of St. Paul and St. Peter Parish Church was re-built and new bells were installed. One bell, called the American Bell, is inscribed to the 384th Bombardment Group (H). The bells were commemorated on May 11, 1980.

 Bricquebec-en-Cotentin, in the region of Normandy, France

On the northern side of road D902 in Bricquebec-en-Cotentin, stands a memorial dedicated to two 384th Bomb Group aircraft, B-17G 42-97136 and Wabbit Twacks. The B-17s were shot down on different dates and crashed within kilometers of each other. Both crews were killed in action.

B-17G 42-97136 was lost April 27, 1944. Moments after releasing their bombs, the aircraft was struck by flak, causing a fire that quickly engulfed the cockpit. Witnesses saw the aircraft peel away and explode before it crashed 2 km west of Valognes, France. No parachutes were observed.

B-17G 42-97136 crewmembers: 

• 2nd Lt. Herbert William Small (Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Roy John Morris (Co-pilot, KIA)

• 2nd Lt. James Edward McGue (Navigator, KIA)

• 2nd Lt. John Mitchell Sewack (Bombardier, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Marion L. Parker (Radio Operator, KIA)

• Sgt. Richard Dominic Pirrello (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. John Brooks "Jack" Reynolds (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Edward Joseph Potkay (Tail Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. David Edmond George (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Russell Harrison Ulrich (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Wabbit Twacks was lost May 8, 1944. Moments before reaching its target, the aircraft was struck by continuous flak. A direct hit between the tail and waist doors sent the aircraft into a steep, uncontrollable dive. Witnesses observed the aircraft hit the ground near Le Foyer, France, still engulfed in flames. Though the tail gunner was seen being thrown from the wreckage, no parachutes emerged.

Wabbit Twacks crewmembers: 

• 2nd Lt. James Everett Foster (Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Clifford Lee Johnson (Co-pilot, KIA)

• 2nd Lt. Joseph Kenneth Uniszkiewicz (Navigator, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Robert Clark Corpening (Togglier, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Thomas Walter Corbett (Radio Operator, KIA)

• Sgt. James Douglas Boone Jr. (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Jimmy Lee Overcash Jr. (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Sigmund Sidney Matican (Tail Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. John Jay Stevens (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Thomas Tidwell Cochran (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• Capt. Russell Aubrey Sanders (Observer, KIA)

Poillé-sur-Vègre, France

Southwest of Le Mans, France in Poillé-sur-Vègre, at the intersection of roads D4 and D79, stands a memorial dedicated to the Lakanuki crew, who were shot down July 4, 1943. The Lakanuki's emergency life raft deployed prematurely and entangled the rudder, causing a fire. The resulting crash claimed the lives of all on board except for the tail gunner, S/Sgt. David Lloyd Butcher. The aircraft's tail broke off, and Butcher, who was knocked unconscious, later awoke mid-fall to deploy his parachute. He returned to Grafton Underwood eight months later with the aid of the French Resistance. Butcher passed away in 2004 and his ashes were scattered at the Lakanuki memorial. 

Lakanuki crewmembers: 

• 2nd Lt. Lawrence Wayne Myer (Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Norman Alton Gauntt (Co-Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. James Claybourne Crouch (Navigator, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Thomas Henry Brzoznowski (Bombardier, KIA) 

• S/Sgt. Jack Davidson (Radio Operator, KIA)

• S/Sgt. James Lynn LaRue (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. James Thomas Carter (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. David Lloyd Butcher (Tail Gunner, Evaded capture)

• S/Sgt. James Floyd Hubble (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Kenneth Eldon Christensen (Waist Gunner, KIA)

La Philippière, 61-Orne, in the region of Normandy, France

In the countryside of the Orne department of Normandy, France, in La Philippière, next to a stream off the C5 road, stands a memorial dedicated to the Nymokymi crew who were also shot down July 4, 1943. After being struck by flak and attacked by enemy fighters, the aircraft crashed near Belfonds, France. Two of the crew members were killed in action, Francis M. Hackley (Navigator) and Donald W. Irvine (Bombardier). Two others, Clifford C. Dartt (Co-pilot) and Paul G. Welch (Radio Operator), were taken as prisoners of war. The remaining six crewmen managed to evade capture with the vital assistance of the French Resistance, and returned to Grafton Underwood by mid-September.

Nymokymi crewmembers: 

• Flt. Ofcr. Gordon Bennett Erickson (Pilot, Evaded capture/Wounded) 

• 2nd Lt. Clifford Charles Dartt (Co-Pilot, POW) 

• 2nd Lt. Francis Mercer Hackley (Navigator, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Donald Wesley Irvine (Bombardier, KIA) 

• S/Sgt. Paul Gerald Welch (Radio Operator, POW/Wounded)

• S/Sgt. Robert Horace Penly (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, Evaded capture/Wounded)

• Sgt. Willard Edward Freeman (Ball Turret Gunner, Evaded capture/Wounded)

• Cpl. Charles Mankowitz (Tail Gunner, Evaded capture/Wounded)

• S/Sgt. Frank Jacob Wingerter (Waist Gunner, Evaded capture/Wounded)

• S/Sgt. George Ashworth (Waist Gunner, Evaded capture)

Champeaux, 35-Ile-et-Vilaine, in the region of Bretagne, France

In Champeaux, just before crossing the Ruisseau de Palet, there is a church on the northern side of the road stands a plaque dedicated to the crew of Hell's Belles II, who were shot down by enemy aircraft September 16, 1943 and crashed near Rennes, France. Three of the crew members, S/Sgt. Herbert May (Ball Turret Gunner), S/Sgt. Marion Rogers (Waist Gunner), and Sgt. Walter Sword (Waist Gunner) were killed in action. Five others, 2nd Lt. Herman Wollenweber Jr. (Co-Pilot), 2nd Lt. Edward Knowling (Navigator), S/Sgt. Burnia Martin (Togglier), S/Sgt. Preston Davis (Radio Operator), and Sgt. Clarence Barnes (Tail Gunner) were captured and taken prisoners of war. S/Sgt. Howard Turlington (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner) evaded capture and made it back to England nine months later, in June of 1944. 1st Lt. Johnny Butler (Pilot) evaded capture and made it back to England a year later, in September of 1944. 

Hell's Belles II crewmembers: 

• 1st Lt. Johnny Addison Butler (Pilot, Evaded capture/Wounded) 

• 2nd Lt. Herman Wollenweber Jr. (Co-Pilot, POW) 

• 2nd Lt. Edward Johnson Knowling (Navigator, POW) 

• S/Sgt. Burnia Martin (Togglier, POW) 

• S/Sgt. Preston Allen Davis (Radio Operator, POW)

• S/Sgt. Howard Joe Turlington (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, Evaded capture)

• S/Sgt. Herbert Ethred May (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Clarence Basil Barnes (Tail Gunner, POW)

• S/Sgt. Marion Coleman Rogers (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Walter Howard Sword (Waist Gunner, KIA)

The plaque reads: "In memory of the American aviators of the 384th BG: S/Sgt H.E MAY, Sgt. M.C. ROGER, Sgt. W.H. SWORD. Killed for our liberty over Champeaux on 09.16.1943."

Opende, the Netherlands

In the southwest area of Opende Protestant Church and Cemetery in Opende, the Netherlands, stands a memorial to the Sky Queen crew who were shot down by enemy aircraft and crashed near Kortwoude July 28, 1943. Nine of the crewmembers were killed in action, and two survived and were taken prisoners of war. 

Sky Queen crewmembers: 

• 2nd Lt. William Dietel Jr. (Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Jacques Eugene Riddel (Co-Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Herbert Wilbur "Herbie" Funk Jr. (Navigator, KIA)  

• 2nd Lt. Clyde William "Breech Lock" Davis (Bombardier, KIA) 

• S/Sgt. Salvatore John Perrotti (Radio Operator, POW)

• S/Sgt. Howard Johnson Adams (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, POW/Wounded)

• Sgt. Lawrence Edwin "Shorty" Dunmyer (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Jack Leonard Mason (Tail Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Edward "Ed" Amory (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• Cpl. Wyman D. "Marty" Martin (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• 2nd Lt. Kenneth Cyrus Dutton (Observer, KIA)

Jabbeke, Belgium

At the northeast corner of the intersection between Zomerweg and Oude Bruggeweg in Jabbeke, Belgium, stands a monument dedicated to the Damn Yankee (B-17F 41‑24557) crew who were shot down by enemy aircraft December 1, 1943. Five of the crewmembers were killed in action, one evaded capture, and four crewmembers were captured and taken prisoners of war.

Damn Yankee crewmembers: 

• 2nd Lt. Bruce George Sundlun (Pilot, Evaded capture/Wounded) 

• 2nd Lt. Andrew John Boles Jr. (Co-Pilot, POW) 

• 2nd Lt. Reino Oswal Jylkka (Navigator, POW) 

• S/Sgt. George Clayborne Hayes (Togglier, KIA) 

• S/Sgt. Charles Leslie Snyder (Radio Operator, POW)

• T/Sgt. William Marion Ramsey (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, POW)

• S/Sgt. Harry Francis Cologne (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Frank Lekas (Tail Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Mike Joseph Cappelletti (Waist Gunner, KIA)

• S/Sgt. Chester Paul Snyder (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Silly, Belgium

Located on the west side of Rue de la Miraine, approximately 4 kilometers south of Silly, is a memorial plaque dedicated to the crew of B-17G 42-97274. The crew was assigned to Royal Flush, but were flying on a different B-17 this day. After Returning from dropping their bombs on the ball-bearing plant in Schweinfut, Germany, the aircraft was struck by a direct flak burst to its left wing tanks. The hit resulted in engine failure, and the aircraft exploded in mid-air before crashing near Fouleng, Belgium. Six of the crewmembers were killed in action, three evaded capture, and one was captured and taken prisoner of war. 

B-17G 42-97274 crewmembers: 

• 1st Lt. James Robert Lavin (Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Louis Anger Bendon (Co-Pilot, KIA) 

• 2nd Lt. Harold Eugene Ashman (Navigator, Evaded capture) 

• 2nd Lt. Calvin Leroy Anthes (Bombardier, KIA) 

• Sgt. Edward Lyle Price (Radio Operator, Evaded capture/Wounded)

• T/Sgt. Troy Hollar (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, Evaded capture)

• Sgt. Lloyd George "Jack" Brady (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. James Woodie Malone (Tail Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Charles William Johnson (Waist Gunner, POW/Wounded)

• Sgt. Raymond Richard Marz (Waist Gunner, KIA)

The plaque reads: "In memory of the 6 American aviators who died gloriously on this plane at Fouleng on April 13, 1944 for the liberation of Belgium. There is no greater love than to give one's life for his friends. R. I. P. In Grateful Hommage."

Bérismenil, Belgium

1.8 kilometers from the center of Bérismenil at the intersection of two small roads, there stands a memorial to the Joker (B-17G 42-97124) crew who were shot down and crashed near Bérismenil, Belgium. On April 13, 1943, on a mission to the ball-bearing plant in Schweinfurt, Germany, the Joker was attacked by enemy fire that caused it to lose altitude before plummeting into the ground. Local residents rushed to the crash in hopes of finding survivors, but they discovered only the remains of one airman. They noted three parachutes in the distance belonging to crewmembers who bailed out. Of the crew, one was killed in action, seven were captured and taken prisoners of war, and two evaded capture. 

The Joker crewmembers: 

• 2nd Lt. Herbert Ture Swanson (Pilot, POW) 

• 2nd Lt. Donald Oril Smith (Co-Pilot, Evaded capture) 

• 2nd Lt. Charles Oteen White (Navigator, POW) 

• 2nd Lt. Austin William Dunning (Bombardier, POW) 

• S/Sgt. Clarence Matthew Wieseckel (Radio Operator, Evaded capture)

• S/Sgt. James Harlan Young (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA)

• Sgt. Gordon William McIntosh (Ball Turret Gunner, POW/Wounded)

• Sgt. Edward Frank Zabinski (Tail Gunner, POW)

• Sgt. Donald Martin Brown (Waist Gunner, POW)

• Sgt. Ralph William Sack (Waist Gunner, POW)