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 (B-17F 42-3235)⇗ 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⇗, Age: 22 (Pilot, KIA) 

Hometown: Glenvil, Nebraska

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot A, Row 9, Grave 13

• 2nd Lt. Norman Alton Gauntt⇗, Age: 26 (Co-Pilot, KIA) 

Home state: Texas

Missions flown: 1

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot I, Row 27, Grave 10

• 2nd Lt. James Claybourne Crouch⇗, Age: 22 (Navigator, KIA) 

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Missions flown: 3

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot I, Row 27, Grave 16

• 2nd Lt. Thomas Henry Brzoznowski⇗, Age: 25 (Bombardier, KIA) 

Hometown: Iron River, Michigan

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot J, Row 18, Grave 28

• S/Sgt. Jack Davidson⇗, Age: 23 (Radio Operator, KIA)

Hometown: Leiters Ford, Indiana

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot I, Row 25, Grave 32

• S/Sgt. James Lynn LaRue⇗, Age: 28 (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Colfax, Washington 

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Washington

• S/Sgt. James Thomas Carter⇗, Age: 23 (Ball Turret Gunner, KIA)

Home state: Texas

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

• S/Sgt. David Lloyd Butcher⇗, Age: 25 (Tail Gunner, Evaded capture)

Hometown: 

Missions flown: 2

• S/Sgt. James Floyd Hubble⇗, Age: 28 (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Clarkston, Michigan

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot J, Row 27, Grave 26

• Sgt. Kenneth Eldon Christensen⇗, Age: 26 (Waist Gunner, KIA)

Hometown: Sterling, Colorado 

Missions flown: 2

Resting place: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France: Plot J, Row 27, Grave 14

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