Five Fortresses left at 10:30 AM to intercept the enemy fleet. After cruising for several hours the flight sighted an enemy carrier when a portion of them broke out of a thick sea fog into a small opening. Captain Mansfield and his entire crew were lost in this momentary encounter. The exact details of their last few seconds are unknown for no one saw what happened after they were seen flying directly toward the carrier.
(From the journal of the 36th Bomber Squadron)
From other accounts, it appears that Capt. Mansfield went down to minimum altitude and dropped a bomb. The pilot of their wing plane stated that they most likely were either shot down at that moment or the blast of their own bomb destroyed them.
(From the journal of the 36th Bomber Squadron)
From other accounts, it appears that Capt. Mansfield went down to minimum altitude and dropped a bomb. The pilot of their wing plane stated that they most likely were either shot down at that moment or the blast of their own bomb destroyed them.
Five Fortresses left at 10:30 AM to intercept the enemy fleet. After cruising for several hours the flight sighted an enemy carrier when a portion of them broke out of a thick sea fog into a small opening. Captain Mansfield and his entire crew were lost in this momentary encounter. The exact details of their last few seconds are unknown for no one saw what happened after they were seen flying directly toward the carrier.
(From the journal of the 36th Bomber Squadron)
From other accounts, it appears that Capt. Mansfield went down to minimum altitude and dropped a bomb. The pilot of their wing plane stated that they most likely were either shot down at that moment or the blast of their own bomb destroyed them.
(From the journal of the 36th Bomber Squadron)
From other accounts, it appears that Capt. Mansfield went down to minimum altitude and dropped a bomb. The pilot of their wing plane stated that they most likely were either shot down at that moment or the blast of their own bomb destroyed them.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Illinois.
Family Members
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