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⇗, Age: 23 (Pilot, KIA) 

Hometown: Sheffield, Massachusetts

Missions flown: 23

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot D, Row 19, Grave 20

• 2nd Lt. Roy John Morris⇗, Age: 23 (Co-pilot, KIA)

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot D, Row 27, Grave 12

• 2nd Lt. James Edward McGue⇗, Age: 24 (Navigator, KIA)

Hometown: Durango, Colorado

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Greenmount Cemetery, Durango, Colorado

• 2nd Lt. John Mitchell Sewack⇗, Age: 23 (Bombardier, KIA)

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Holy Ghost Greek Catholic Cemetery, Jessup, Pennsylvania

• S/Sgt. Marion L. Parker⇗, Age: 21 (Radio Operator, KIA)

Home state: California

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot D, Row 28, Grave 4

• Sgt. Richard Dominic Pirrello⇗, Age: 20 (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Queens, New York

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Saint John Cemetery, Middle Village, New York

• Sgt. John Brooks "Jack" Reynolds⇗, Age: 21 (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Cranberry Lake, New York

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Saint Huberts Cemetery, Star Lake, New York

• Sgt. Edward Joseph Potkay⇗, Age: 19 (Tail Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: New London, Connecticut 

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Saint Marys Cemetery, New London, Connecticut

• S/Sgt. David Edmond George⇗, Age: 21 (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Fresno, California

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, California

• Sgt. Russell Harrison Ulrich⇗, Age: 24 (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Reading, Pennsylvania

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot D, Row 22, Grave 28

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⇗, Age: 27 (Pilot, KIA) 

Hometown: Essex Junction, Vermont

Missions flown: 30

Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery: Section 12, Grave 6043

• 2nd Lt. Clifford Lee Johnson⇗, Age: 28 (Co-pilot, KIA)

Missions flown: 1

Resting place:  Arlington National Cemetery: Section 12, Grave 6043

• 2nd Lt. Joseph Kenneth Uniszkiewicz⇗, Age: 23 (Navigator, KIA)

Home country: Poland 

Missions flown: 30

Resting place: Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York

• S/Sgt. Robert Clark Corpening⇗, Age: 19 (Togglier, KIA)

Hometown: Buncombe County, North Carolina

Missions flown: 23

Resting place: Green Hills Cemetery, Asheville, North Carolina

• S/Sgt. Thomas Walter Corbett⇗, Age: 20 (Radio Operator, KIA)

Hometown: Jersey City, New Jersey

Missions flown: 28

Resting place: Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, New Jersey

• Sgt. James Douglas Boone Jr. ⇗, Age: 34 (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Fayette, West Virginia

Missions flown: 29

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot B, Row 8, Grave 17

• Sgt. Jimmy Lee Overcash Jr.⇗, Age: 20 (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Cornelius, North Carolina

Missions flown: 31

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot D, Row 1, Grave 12

• S/Sgt. Sigmund Sidney Matican⇗, Age: 20 (Tail Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Missions flown: 16

Resting place: Montefiore Cemetery Springfield Gardens, Queens County, New York

• S/Sgt. John Jay Stevens⇗, Age: 30 (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Paris, Illinois

Missions flown: 25

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot D, Row 27, Grave 28

• S/Sgt. Thomas Tidwell Cochran⇗, Age: 30 (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Americus, Georgia

Missions flown: 27

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot F, Row 20, Grave 26

• Capt. Russell Aubrey Sanders⇗, Age: 43 (Observer, KIA)

Hometown: Covington, Kentucky

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot D, Row 28, Grave 23

Further details about the memorial and location can be found on American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.⇗