2 Sept 1994 Dedication in France:
We place this plaque here today to honor and keep alive the memory of 6 American crewmen of a B26 Marauder of the 9th Air Force 391st Bomb Group 573rd squadron who died on a combat mission to Pas de Calais on March 19-1944. Our brothers gave their lives during the European conflict so that we might be free. They came to rest here in Palfart, France and were interred in the churchyard of Eglise de I'Immaculee Conception.
In Memoriam
1st Lt Frank Bernzen Jr., Pilote, Boulder, Colorado
2nd Lt John D. Hill, Co-Pilote, Houston, Texas
2nd Lt Thomas R. Dragonetti, Bombardier-Navigator, Brooklyn,NY
Tech Sgt Thaddeus H. Grace, Radio-Gunner, Montgomery, Alabama
Staff Sgt Gale F. Brown, Engineer, Warrenton, Missouri
Staff Sgt John F. La Plante, Tail Gunner, S. Woodstock, VT
----------------------------------------
Report: Hit by flak on turn off from target on first run. Fell away with badly smoking engine and fabric on left stabilizer almost all shot away. Pilot got plane back into formation for a second run on the target. On second run, it was again hit by flak and tail blown off and went down with a full bomb load. No survivors.
============================================================
Crewmen:
John D. Hill - Memorial # 55877544
Thomas R. Dragonetti - Memorial # 82648671
Thaddeus H. Grace - Memorial # 56645025
Gale F. Brown - Memorial # 56642703
Frank Bernzen Jr. - Memorial # 56642327
==========================================================
John F. La Plante - ID: 11035865. Received Air Medal and Purple Heart
----------------------------------------------------------
Married Elaine Burns Rutherford on November 4, 1942.
Parents are Joseph Anthony and Jessie (Dresser) LaPlante.
----------------------------------------------------------
From contributor Cathy: "John's parents had moved to Corpus Christie, Texas by November, 1945 when John's picture was published in the Vermont Journal. He also had a sister in service, Pfc, Mary LaPlant who was stationed in Nevada, and two brothers in the Navy, James and Walter." Thank you, Cathy for the additional information.
-----------------------------------------------------------
We place this plaque here today to honor and keep alive the memory of 6 American crewmen of a B26 Marauder of the 9th Air Force 391st Bomb Group 573rd squadron who died on a combat mission to Pas de Calais on March 19-1944. Our brothers gave their lives during the European conflict so that we might be free. They came to rest here in Palfart, France and were interred in the churchyard of Eglise de I'Immaculee Conception.
In Memoriam
1st Lt Frank Bernzen Jr., Pilote, Boulder, Colorado
2nd Lt John D. Hill, Co-Pilote, Houston, Texas
2nd Lt Thomas R. Dragonetti, Bombardier-Navigator, Brooklyn,NY
Tech Sgt Thaddeus H. Grace, Radio-Gunner, Montgomery, Alabama
Staff Sgt Gale F. Brown, Engineer, Warrenton, Missouri
Staff Sgt John F. La Plante, Tail Gunner, S. Woodstock, VT
----------------------------------------
Report: Hit by flak on turn off from target on first run. Fell away with badly smoking engine and fabric on left stabilizer almost all shot away. Pilot got plane back into formation for a second run on the target. On second run, it was again hit by flak and tail blown off and went down with a full bomb load. No survivors.
============================================================
Crewmen:
John D. Hill - Memorial # 55877544
Thomas R. Dragonetti - Memorial # 82648671
Thaddeus H. Grace - Memorial # 56645025
Gale F. Brown - Memorial # 56642703
Frank Bernzen Jr. - Memorial # 56642327
==========================================================
John F. La Plante - ID: 11035865. Received Air Medal and Purple Heart
----------------------------------------------------------
Married Elaine Burns Rutherford on November 4, 1942.
Parents are Joseph Anthony and Jessie (Dresser) LaPlante.
----------------------------------------------------------
From contributor Cathy: "John's parents had moved to Corpus Christie, Texas by November, 1945 when John's picture was published in the Vermont Journal. He also had a sister in service, Pfc, Mary LaPlant who was stationed in Nevada, and two brothers in the Navy, James and Walter." Thank you, Cathy for the additional information.
-----------------------------------------------------------
2 Sept 1994 Dedication in France:
We place this plaque here today to honor and keep alive the memory of 6 American crewmen of a B26 Marauder of the 9th Air Force 391st Bomb Group 573rd squadron who died on a combat mission to Pas de Calais on March 19-1944. Our brothers gave their lives during the European conflict so that we might be free. They came to rest here in Palfart, France and were interred in the churchyard of Eglise de I'Immaculee Conception.
In Memoriam
1st Lt Frank Bernzen Jr., Pilote, Boulder, Colorado
2nd Lt John D. Hill, Co-Pilote, Houston, Texas
2nd Lt Thomas R. Dragonetti, Bombardier-Navigator, Brooklyn,NY
Tech Sgt Thaddeus H. Grace, Radio-Gunner, Montgomery, Alabama
Staff Sgt Gale F. Brown, Engineer, Warrenton, Missouri
Staff Sgt John F. La Plante, Tail Gunner, S. Woodstock, VT
----------------------------------------
Report: Hit by flak on turn off from target on first run. Fell away with badly smoking engine and fabric on left stabilizer almost all shot away. Pilot got plane back into formation for a second run on the target. On second run, it was again hit by flak and tail blown off and went down with a full bomb load. No survivors.
============================================================
Crewmen:
John D. Hill - Memorial # 55877544
Thomas R. Dragonetti - Memorial # 82648671
Thaddeus H. Grace - Memorial # 56645025
Gale F. Brown - Memorial # 56642703
Frank Bernzen Jr. - Memorial # 56642327
==========================================================
John F. La Plante - ID: 11035865. Received Air Medal and Purple Heart
----------------------------------------------------------
Married Elaine Burns Rutherford on November 4, 1942.
Parents are Joseph Anthony and Jessie (Dresser) LaPlante.
----------------------------------------------------------
From contributor Cathy: "John's parents had moved to Corpus Christie, Texas by November, 1945 when John's picture was published in the Vermont Journal. He also had a sister in service, Pfc, Mary LaPlant who was stationed in Nevada, and two brothers in the Navy, James and Walter." Thank you, Cathy for the additional information.
-----------------------------------------------------------
We place this plaque here today to honor and keep alive the memory of 6 American crewmen of a B26 Marauder of the 9th Air Force 391st Bomb Group 573rd squadron who died on a combat mission to Pas de Calais on March 19-1944. Our brothers gave their lives during the European conflict so that we might be free. They came to rest here in Palfart, France and were interred in the churchyard of Eglise de I'Immaculee Conception.
In Memoriam
1st Lt Frank Bernzen Jr., Pilote, Boulder, Colorado
2nd Lt John D. Hill, Co-Pilote, Houston, Texas
2nd Lt Thomas R. Dragonetti, Bombardier-Navigator, Brooklyn,NY
Tech Sgt Thaddeus H. Grace, Radio-Gunner, Montgomery, Alabama
Staff Sgt Gale F. Brown, Engineer, Warrenton, Missouri
Staff Sgt John F. La Plante, Tail Gunner, S. Woodstock, VT
----------------------------------------
Report: Hit by flak on turn off from target on first run. Fell away with badly smoking engine and fabric on left stabilizer almost all shot away. Pilot got plane back into formation for a second run on the target. On second run, it was again hit by flak and tail blown off and went down with a full bomb load. No survivors.
============================================================
Crewmen:
John D. Hill - Memorial # 55877544
Thomas R. Dragonetti - Memorial # 82648671
Thaddeus H. Grace - Memorial # 56645025
Gale F. Brown - Memorial # 56642703
Frank Bernzen Jr. - Memorial # 56642327
==========================================================
John F. La Plante - ID: 11035865. Received Air Medal and Purple Heart
----------------------------------------------------------
Married Elaine Burns Rutherford on November 4, 1942.
Parents are Joseph Anthony and Jessie (Dresser) LaPlante.
----------------------------------------------------------
From contributor Cathy: "John's parents had moved to Corpus Christie, Texas by November, 1945 when John's picture was published in the Vermont Journal. He also had a sister in service, Pfc, Mary LaPlant who was stationed in Nevada, and two brothers in the Navy, James and Walter." Thank you, Cathy for the additional information.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Vermont.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
