Major William Dekker was piloting a C-47A (42-235706), a troop transport plane, over Italy during one of the first invasions of Europe during WWII. The troops aboard had parachuted out and they were returning back to base when they were lit up by friendly fire, and the plane explosed mid-air and fell into the Mediterranean. Because this was one of the first large scale invasion events, there were about 3,000 ships off the coast of Italy. A German JU-88 bomber had just flown over a short time before, and then came Maj. Dekker's plane, so it was thought it was another German bomber. It does look very similar to a Junkers 88.
Eye witness account of Capt. Edwin L. Minor:
"I last saw 506 piloted by Major Dekker and Captain Dobbins heading along the coast northeast from Gala, just off shore. At this time (approximately 2113 GMT) the plane flew through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, both from the ground and from the naval vessels, at which time I lost sight of it and proceeded home. The guns are believed to be friendly because they were located at points known to be in our possession, and also because in some cases they ceased firing when the recognition signal was flashed."
Eye witness account of Capt. Edwin L. Minor:
"I last saw 506 piloted by Major Dekker and Captain Dobbins heading along the coast northeast from Gala, just off shore. At this time (approximately 2113 GMT) the plane flew through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, both from the ground and from the naval vessels, at which time I lost sight of it and proceeded home. The guns are believed to be friendly because they were located at points known to be in our possession, and also because in some cases they ceased firing when the recognition signal was flashed."
Major William Dekker was piloting a C-47A (42-235706), a troop transport plane, over Italy during one of the first invasions of Europe during WWII. The troops aboard had parachuted out and they were returning back to base when they were lit up by friendly fire, and the plane explosed mid-air and fell into the Mediterranean. Because this was one of the first large scale invasion events, there were about 3,000 ships off the coast of Italy. A German JU-88 bomber had just flown over a short time before, and then came Maj. Dekker's plane, so it was thought it was another German bomber. It does look very similar to a Junkers 88.
Eye witness account of Capt. Edwin L. Minor:
"I last saw 506 piloted by Major Dekker and Captain Dobbins heading along the coast northeast from Gala, just off shore. At this time (approximately 2113 GMT) the plane flew through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, both from the ground and from the naval vessels, at which time I lost sight of it and proceeded home. The guns are believed to be friendly because they were located at points known to be in our possession, and also because in some cases they ceased firing when the recognition signal was flashed."
Eye witness account of Capt. Edwin L. Minor:
"I last saw 506 piloted by Major Dekker and Captain Dobbins heading along the coast northeast from Gala, just off shore. At this time (approximately 2113 GMT) the plane flew through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, both from the ground and from the naval vessels, at which time I lost sight of it and proceeded home. The guns are believed to be friendly because they were located at points known to be in our possession, and also because in some cases they ceased firing when the recognition signal was flashed."
Inscription
MAJ 45 SQ 316 TRP CARR GP CALIFORNIA
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
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