Crew of B-24J 44-40460

Photograph

-

Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society

Name/Title

Crew of B-24J 44-40460

Entry/Object ID

2013.46.1

Tags

Gold Star Families

Description

Crew of B-24J 44-40460 �Wong Long Hop� of the 861st Bomb Squadron Shot down 14 June 1944 Crew of B-24J 44-40460 “Wong Long Hop” of the 861st Bomb Squadron Shot down 14 June 1944 Top Row 2nd Lt. Robert G. Donahue Navigator (POW) 2nd Lt. Richard E. Wright Bombardier (evade) 2nd Lt. Floyd E. Addy Pilot (KIA) 2nd Lt. Douglas W. Hooth Co Pilot (evade) T/Sgt. Cecil O. Pendray Engineer (POW) (Detroit) Bottom Row Sgt. Irving W. Norris Nose Gunner (POW?) Sgt. Hugh C. Bomar Waist Gunner (evade) S/Sgt. Frank R. McPherson Radio Operator (evade) Sgt. Robert G. Mattie Tail Gunner (POW) Sgt. William L. Cupp Ball Turret Gunner (POW) Name: Cecil Charles Pendray Gender: Male Race: White Age: 19 Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head) Birth Date: 21 Jan 1923 Birth Place: Highland Park Residence Place: Highland Park, Michigan, USA Registration Date: 30 Jun 1942 Registration Place: Highland Park, Wayne, Michigan, USA Employer: Fisher Body Weight: 160 Complexion: Dark Eye Color: Blue Hair Color: Brown Height: 5 11 Died 3/28/1978 2Lt Floyd E Addy BIRTH 20 Jun 1919 Bakersfield, Kern County, California, USA DEATH 14 Jun 1944 (aged 24) Chièvres, Arrondissement d'Ath, Hainaut, Belgium BURIAL Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands PLOT Plot N, Row 18, Grave 11 MEMORIAL ID 55881207 · View Source A real American hero. Floyd was a pilot of a B-24 bomber during a raid on Laon Airfield at Laon, France. After bombing the airfield the bomber was on a return flight to base when an explosion rendered three of its four engines useless. As the plane lost altitude near Chievres, Belgium Floyd ordered his crew to bail out, which they all did except for him. Floyd realized that his plane would strike Chievres so he maneuvered the bomber towards an unpopulated area. At that point his bomber struck a high tension line and burst into flames, striking the ground just outside the village. Initially he was buried in the Chievres cemetery by the citizens of that town. Floyd was buried in the German Cemetery, his body was wrapped in an American Flag and decorated with a cross of white flower's. The villagers declared a day of mourning for the brave American that gave his life to saved this Belgium town

Cataloged By

Chris Causley

Acquisition

Accession

2013.46

Source or Donor

Charles Seehase

Acquisition Method

Donation

Source (if not Accessioned)

Charles Seehase

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1941 - circa 1945

Time Period

World War Two

Location

Location

Other

Memorial Wall

Category

Exhibit