Bombardier aboard B-17G Flying Fortress #43-37595, nicknamed "Vergen's Virgins."
Perished when his bomber collided with B-17G #43-38080 over Lutton, on approach to Polebrook, England, while returning from a mission over continental Europe.
Nine airmen aboard were killed:
2LT Reinhold W Vergen, O-826035, IL, Pilot
FLT O Robert E Sollers, T-126662, MD, Co-Pilot
FLT O Stanley L Dietel, T-129652, NJ, Navigator
SGT Francis T Leonard, 11108099, MA, Bombardier
SGT Emerald G Cutting, 32733503, NY, Flight Engineer
SGT Albert B Cantrelle, 38484924, LA, Gunner
SGT Philip M Singleton, 17169038, MO, Gunner
SGT Joseph E Ventress, 36313629, IL, Gunner
SGT Robert L Wheatley, 32364536, NJ, Gunner
*Limited information about this incident.
For the names of the airmen aboard B-17 #43-38080 see the memorial for 2LT Donald A Cornell.
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Entered the service from Massachusetts.
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Sergeant Francis T Leonard, service number: 11108099, served as nose gunner on B-17s with the 509th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group. Returning from a mission to Lutzkendorf, Germany, in B-17 #43-37595, 'Vergen's Virgins', this aircraft collided with another as both circled in preparation to land. According to the book "The 351st Bomb Group in World War II" written by Ken Harbour & Peter Harris, "Clouds were down to 200 feet over the base when the planes returned, making landing difficult. Observers in the control tower were horrified when two planes collided while trying to land. They were Lt. Ashton in 43-38080 and Lt. Vergen in 43-37595. All crewmembers were killed."
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Contributor: carolyn deloach (50647457)
Bombardier aboard B-17G Flying Fortress #43-37595, nicknamed "Vergen's Virgins."
Perished when his bomber collided with B-17G #43-38080 over Lutton, on approach to Polebrook, England, while returning from a mission over continental Europe.
Nine airmen aboard were killed:
2LT Reinhold W Vergen, O-826035, IL, Pilot
FLT O Robert E Sollers, T-126662, MD, Co-Pilot
FLT O Stanley L Dietel, T-129652, NJ, Navigator
SGT Francis T Leonard, 11108099, MA, Bombardier
SGT Emerald G Cutting, 32733503, NY, Flight Engineer
SGT Albert B Cantrelle, 38484924, LA, Gunner
SGT Philip M Singleton, 17169038, MO, Gunner
SGT Joseph E Ventress, 36313629, IL, Gunner
SGT Robert L Wheatley, 32364536, NJ, Gunner
*Limited information about this incident.
For the names of the airmen aboard B-17 #43-38080 see the memorial for 2LT Donald A Cornell.
~
Entered the service from Massachusetts.
~
Sergeant Francis T Leonard, service number: 11108099, served as nose gunner on B-17s with the 509th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group. Returning from a mission to Lutzkendorf, Germany, in B-17 #43-37595, 'Vergen's Virgins', this aircraft collided with another as both circled in preparation to land. According to the book "The 351st Bomb Group in World War II" written by Ken Harbour & Peter Harris, "Clouds were down to 200 feet over the base when the planes returned, making landing difficult. Observers in the control tower were horrified when two planes collided while trying to land. They were Lt. Ashton in 43-38080 and Lt. Vergen in 43-37595. All crewmembers were killed."
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Contributor: carolyn deloach (50647457)
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