Silly, Belgium

Located approximately 4 kilometers south of Silly on the west side of Rue de la Miraine, on the property of Bienfait Marcel Farm, is a memorial plaque dedicated to 1st Lt. James Robert Lavin and his crew. While the men famously called themselves the "Royal Flush" crew, they were not flying their namesake aircraft that day. Because the Royal Flush II⇗  was undergoing repairs, the crew was instead aboard B-17G 42-97274⇗  when they went down. Despite this, it was very important to the families that the memorial be called "Royal Flush" to honor the crew's identity. On April 13, 1944, after returning from dropping their bombs on the ball-bearing plant in Schweinfurt, Germany, the Lavin crew's aircraft was struck by a direct flak burst to its left wing tank. 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 prisoners of war. 

B-17G 42-97274 crewmembers: 

• 1st Lt. James Robert Lavin⇗, Age: 24 (Pilot, KIA) 

Hometown: Union Township, Indiana

Missions flown: 10

Resting place: Netherlands American Cemetery: Plot N, Row 22, Grave 7

• 2nd Lt. Louis Anger Bendon⇗, Age: 24 (Co-Pilot, KIA) 

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Missions flown: 5

Resting place: Netherlands American Cemetery: Plot H, Row 3, Grave 15

• 2nd Lt. Harold Eugene Ashman⇗, Age: 23 (Navigator, Evaded capture) 

Hometown: Greenville, Ohio

Missions flown: 9

• 2nd Lt. Calvin Leroy Anthes⇗, Age: 24 (Bombardier, KIA) 

Hometown: Columbia City, Indiana

Missions flown: 9

Resting place: Netherlands American Cemetery: Plot A, Row 11, Grave 31

• Sgt. Edward Lyle Price, Age: 27 (Radio Operator, Evaded capture/Wounded)

Missions flown: 9

• T/Sgt. Troy Hollar⇗, Age: 24 (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, Evaded capture)

Missions flown: 9

• S/Sgt. Lloyd George "Jack" Brady⇗, Age: 21 (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA the day before his birthday)

Hometown: Boyd County, Nebraska

Missions flown: 9

Resting place: Scottville Cemetery, Holt County, Nebraska

• S/Sgt. James Woodie Malone⇗, Age: 22 (Tail Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Mansfield, Louisiana 

Missions flown: 9

Resting place: Netherlands American Cemetery: Plot H, Row 3, Grave 11

• S/Sgt. Charles William Johnson⇗, Age: 19 (Waist Gunner, POW/Wounded)

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

Missions flown: 9

• S/Sgt. Raymond Richard Marz⇗, Age: 21 (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Garfield, New Jersey

Missions flown: 9

Resting place: Netherlands American Cemetery: Plot P, Row 7, Grave 10

In 2005, a plaque was dedicated to the crew that 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. John 15:13. R.I.P. in grateful tribute."

On April 13, 2026, exactly 82 years after the crew fell at Fouleng, an additional memorial was dedicated in tribute to the "Royal Flush" crew members. ​​The new memorial is in the same location as the original plaque. This project was initiated and designed by Dominique Malbrecq, secretary of the Secret Army Brotherhood, Sector D10, Zone I. After two years of in-depth research conducted by Dominique, and a proposal accepted by the new mayor of Silly, this additional memorial was erected to give a face to each of the crew members on board B-17G 42-97274 that day. The ceremony, supported by local patriotic associations and the FNC (Fédération Nationale des Combattants) of Brugelette, Silly, Ath, and surrounding areas, ensures that the memory of these ten men will never be forgotten by the land they helped to liberate. An interview with Dominique Malbrecq is available on Notélé.Be⇗