Gunner S/Sgt. Paul E. Beverly MIA/KIA
Hometown: Arizona
Squadron: 68th 44th Bomb Group
Service# 18045226
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. MIA/KIA
Target: Abbeville-Drucat Airdrome
Mission Date: 6-Dec-42
Serial Number: # 41-23786
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location: English Channel
Cause: enemy fighters
Notes:
Due to a recall of the mission which the 68th
Squadron crews did not receive, only six 68th
planes continued on to attack this airfield, while the other 13 planes returned to base.
Enroute to the target the 66th and 67th Squadrons received radio orders to return to base, but the leading 68th Squadron failed to intercept these orders and continued on with their six aircraft. All six bombed their target and were returning when approximately thirty FW 190s, in waves of two or three, made attacks from 12 o'clock, straight on. Very early in the encounter, aircraft #786 had #4 engine (right out-board) knocked out and #3 was damaged. The pilots valiantly fought to keep in formation due to the inherent dangers a single plane would surely encounter.
But due to the lack of power, the aircraft pulled off to the right and was losing altitude. The enemy fighters then proceeded to withdraw from the attack on the main formation and concentrated their attacks on aircraft #786.
After several attacks that also proved damaging to three FW 190s (two shot down and one damaged), two of the enemy aircraft again attacked from dead astern of the aircraft. The tail turret guns were seen to stop firing and pieces of the ship in that area were shot away, and the airplane nosed down toward the sea. The two pilots continued to fight for control as the nose was seen to pull up on several occasions. However, when the plane eventually hit the water, the nose was down, causing the ship to break into pieces and catch fire, quickly sinking. None of the crew attempted to parachute out, electing to stay with their craft and take as many of their enemy with them as possible. For such bravery and gallant action, the entire crew was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Lt. Du Bard Crew
1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. Pilot
2nd/Lt. Henry B. Kaitala Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Richard V. Somerville Navigator
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
Sgt Charles S. Dick Engineer
Sgt. William G. Mears Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Paul E. Beverly Gunner
Sgt. Anthony F. Rizzo Gunner
Sgt. Robert F. Lilley Gunner
Sgt. Donald M. Smith Gunner
Hometown: Arizona
Squadron: 68th 44th Bomb Group
Service# 18045226
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. MIA/KIA
Target: Abbeville-Drucat Airdrome
Mission Date: 6-Dec-42
Serial Number: # 41-23786
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location: English Channel
Cause: enemy fighters
Notes:
Due to a recall of the mission which the 68th
Squadron crews did not receive, only six 68th
planes continued on to attack this airfield, while the other 13 planes returned to base.
Enroute to the target the 66th and 67th Squadrons received radio orders to return to base, but the leading 68th Squadron failed to intercept these orders and continued on with their six aircraft. All six bombed their target and were returning when approximately thirty FW 190s, in waves of two or three, made attacks from 12 o'clock, straight on. Very early in the encounter, aircraft #786 had #4 engine (right out-board) knocked out and #3 was damaged. The pilots valiantly fought to keep in formation due to the inherent dangers a single plane would surely encounter.
But due to the lack of power, the aircraft pulled off to the right and was losing altitude. The enemy fighters then proceeded to withdraw from the attack on the main formation and concentrated their attacks on aircraft #786.
After several attacks that also proved damaging to three FW 190s (two shot down and one damaged), two of the enemy aircraft again attacked from dead astern of the aircraft. The tail turret guns were seen to stop firing and pieces of the ship in that area were shot away, and the airplane nosed down toward the sea. The two pilots continued to fight for control as the nose was seen to pull up on several occasions. However, when the plane eventually hit the water, the nose was down, causing the ship to break into pieces and catch fire, quickly sinking. None of the crew attempted to parachute out, electing to stay with their craft and take as many of their enemy with them as possible. For such bravery and gallant action, the entire crew was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Lt. Du Bard Crew
1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. Pilot
2nd/Lt. Henry B. Kaitala Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Richard V. Somerville Navigator
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
Sgt Charles S. Dick Engineer
Sgt. William G. Mears Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Paul E. Beverly Gunner
Sgt. Anthony F. Rizzo Gunner
Sgt. Robert F. Lilley Gunner
Sgt. Donald M. Smith Gunner
Gunner S/Sgt. Paul E. Beverly MIA/KIA
Hometown: Arizona
Squadron: 68th 44th Bomb Group
Service# 18045226
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. MIA/KIA
Target: Abbeville-Drucat Airdrome
Mission Date: 6-Dec-42
Serial Number: # 41-23786
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location: English Channel
Cause: enemy fighters
Notes:
Due to a recall of the mission which the 68th
Squadron crews did not receive, only six 68th
planes continued on to attack this airfield, while the other 13 planes returned to base.
Enroute to the target the 66th and 67th Squadrons received radio orders to return to base, but the leading 68th Squadron failed to intercept these orders and continued on with their six aircraft. All six bombed their target and were returning when approximately thirty FW 190s, in waves of two or three, made attacks from 12 o'clock, straight on. Very early in the encounter, aircraft #786 had #4 engine (right out-board) knocked out and #3 was damaged. The pilots valiantly fought to keep in formation due to the inherent dangers a single plane would surely encounter.
But due to the lack of power, the aircraft pulled off to the right and was losing altitude. The enemy fighters then proceeded to withdraw from the attack on the main formation and concentrated their attacks on aircraft #786.
After several attacks that also proved damaging to three FW 190s (two shot down and one damaged), two of the enemy aircraft again attacked from dead astern of the aircraft. The tail turret guns were seen to stop firing and pieces of the ship in that area were shot away, and the airplane nosed down toward the sea. The two pilots continued to fight for control as the nose was seen to pull up on several occasions. However, when the plane eventually hit the water, the nose was down, causing the ship to break into pieces and catch fire, quickly sinking. None of the crew attempted to parachute out, electing to stay with their craft and take as many of their enemy with them as possible. For such bravery and gallant action, the entire crew was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Lt. Du Bard Crew
1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. Pilot
2nd/Lt. Henry B. Kaitala Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Richard V. Somerville Navigator
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
Sgt Charles S. Dick Engineer
Sgt. William G. Mears Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Paul E. Beverly Gunner
Sgt. Anthony F. Rizzo Gunner
Sgt. Robert F. Lilley Gunner
Sgt. Donald M. Smith Gunner
Hometown: Arizona
Squadron: 68th 44th Bomb Group
Service# 18045226
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. MIA/KIA
Target: Abbeville-Drucat Airdrome
Mission Date: 6-Dec-42
Serial Number: # 41-23786
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name:
Location: English Channel
Cause: enemy fighters
Notes:
Due to a recall of the mission which the 68th
Squadron crews did not receive, only six 68th
planes continued on to attack this airfield, while the other 13 planes returned to base.
Enroute to the target the 66th and 67th Squadrons received radio orders to return to base, but the leading 68th Squadron failed to intercept these orders and continued on with their six aircraft. All six bombed their target and were returning when approximately thirty FW 190s, in waves of two or three, made attacks from 12 o'clock, straight on. Very early in the encounter, aircraft #786 had #4 engine (right out-board) knocked out and #3 was damaged. The pilots valiantly fought to keep in formation due to the inherent dangers a single plane would surely encounter.
But due to the lack of power, the aircraft pulled off to the right and was losing altitude. The enemy fighters then proceeded to withdraw from the attack on the main formation and concentrated their attacks on aircraft #786.
After several attacks that also proved damaging to three FW 190s (two shot down and one damaged), two of the enemy aircraft again attacked from dead astern of the aircraft. The tail turret guns were seen to stop firing and pieces of the ship in that area were shot away, and the airplane nosed down toward the sea. The two pilots continued to fight for control as the nose was seen to pull up on several occasions. However, when the plane eventually hit the water, the nose was down, causing the ship to break into pieces and catch fire, quickly sinking. None of the crew attempted to parachute out, electing to stay with their craft and take as many of their enemy with them as possible. For such bravery and gallant action, the entire crew was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
Lt. Du Bard Crew
1st/Lt. James D. Du Bard Jr. Pilot
2nd/Lt. Henry B. Kaitala Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Richard V. Somerville Navigator
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
2nd/Lt. George A. Crawford Bombardier
Sgt Charles S. Dick Engineer
Sgt. William G. Mears Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Paul E. Beverly Gunner
Sgt. Anthony F. Rizzo Gunner
Sgt. Robert F. Lilley Gunner
Sgt. Donald M. Smith Gunner
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Arizona.
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