Second from the left
Army Serial Number - 39099394 - Enlisted in California
Waist Gunner - "Man-O-War"
323rd Squadron
91st Bomb Group (Heavy)
American Air Force
World War II
Purple Heart
After a bombing raid on the Messerschmitt factory in Kassel (Germany) the crew tried to get back to their base in England. But at 11:00 their B17 of the 91 Bomb Group American Air Force with the name 'Man-O-War', was shot down by German fighter planes. The plane crashed in Opijnen, eight of the ten crew members died on impact. These eight men are interred in this cemetery.
Crew photo page 12 in the link below.
http://www.91stbombgroup.com/memorials/opijnen.html
***********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
**********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
*****************
Parents:
Albert Sparks
Dorothy Royce (Beddeson) Sparks
Siblings:
Kenneth Sparks
Shirley Frances Sparks
NOTES:
S/Sgt. Hermon D. Poling, Tail Gunner; S/Sgt. Harold R. Sparks, Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. George R. Krueger, Waist Gunner; 2nd Lt. John P. Bruce, Co-pilot; 2nd. Lt. Keene C. McCammon, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Daniel V. Ohman, Bombardier; S/Sgt. Mike A. Perrota, Ball Turret Gunner; T/Sgt. Douglas V. Blackwood, Radio Operator; T/Sgt. Americo Cianfichi, Engineer. Not pictured, 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan, Navigator.
Man O War - The original navigator, Gill, was replaced by 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan (neither of which is shown in this photo). Gill was not in this photo as he was KIA with Forsblad's crew aboard the Stricnine, just 10 days before this crew was shot down on July 30, 1943. Only McCammon and Bruce survived. Crew members KIA can be referenced at the Opijnen Memorial and the 91st BG Memorial page (under Opijnen).
Army Serial Number - 39099394 - Enlisted in California
Waist Gunner - "Man-O-War"
323rd Squadron
91st Bomb Group (Heavy)
American Air Force
World War II
Purple Heart
After a bombing raid on the Messerschmitt factory in Kassel (Germany) the crew tried to get back to their base in England. But at 11:00 their B17 of the 91 Bomb Group American Air Force with the name 'Man-O-War', was shot down by German fighter planes. The plane crashed in Opijnen, eight of the ten crew members died on impact. These eight men are interred in this cemetery.
Crew photo page 12 in the link below.
http://www.91stbombgroup.com/memorials/opijnen.html
***********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
**********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
*****************
Parents:
Albert Sparks
Dorothy Royce (Beddeson) Sparks
Siblings:
Kenneth Sparks
Shirley Frances Sparks
NOTES:
S/Sgt. Hermon D. Poling, Tail Gunner; S/Sgt. Harold R. Sparks, Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. George R. Krueger, Waist Gunner; 2nd Lt. John P. Bruce, Co-pilot; 2nd. Lt. Keene C. McCammon, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Daniel V. Ohman, Bombardier; S/Sgt. Mike A. Perrota, Ball Turret Gunner; T/Sgt. Douglas V. Blackwood, Radio Operator; T/Sgt. Americo Cianfichi, Engineer. Not pictured, 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan, Navigator.
Man O War - The original navigator, Gill, was replaced by 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan (neither of which is shown in this photo). Gill was not in this photo as he was KIA with Forsblad's crew aboard the Stricnine, just 10 days before this crew was shot down on July 30, 1943. Only McCammon and Bruce survived. Crew members KIA can be referenced at the Opijnen Memorial and the 91st BG Memorial page (under Opijnen).
Second from the left
Army Serial Number - 39099394 - Enlisted in California
Waist Gunner - "Man-O-War"
323rd Squadron
91st Bomb Group (Heavy)
American Air Force
World War II
Purple Heart
After a bombing raid on the Messerschmitt factory in Kassel (Germany) the crew tried to get back to their base in England. But at 11:00 their B17 of the 91 Bomb Group American Air Force with the name 'Man-O-War', was shot down by German fighter planes. The plane crashed in Opijnen, eight of the ten crew members died on impact. These eight men are interred in this cemetery.
Crew photo page 12 in the link below.
http://www.91stbombgroup.com/memorials/opijnen.html
***********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
**********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
*****************
Parents:
Albert Sparks
Dorothy Royce (Beddeson) Sparks
Siblings:
Kenneth Sparks
Shirley Frances Sparks
NOTES:
S/Sgt. Hermon D. Poling, Tail Gunner; S/Sgt. Harold R. Sparks, Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. George R. Krueger, Waist Gunner; 2nd Lt. John P. Bruce, Co-pilot; 2nd. Lt. Keene C. McCammon, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Daniel V. Ohman, Bombardier; S/Sgt. Mike A. Perrota, Ball Turret Gunner; T/Sgt. Douglas V. Blackwood, Radio Operator; T/Sgt. Americo Cianfichi, Engineer. Not pictured, 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan, Navigator.
Man O War - The original navigator, Gill, was replaced by 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan (neither of which is shown in this photo). Gill was not in this photo as he was KIA with Forsblad's crew aboard the Stricnine, just 10 days before this crew was shot down on July 30, 1943. Only McCammon and Bruce survived. Crew members KIA can be referenced at the Opijnen Memorial and the 91st BG Memorial page (under Opijnen).
Army Serial Number - 39099394 - Enlisted in California
Waist Gunner - "Man-O-War"
323rd Squadron
91st Bomb Group (Heavy)
American Air Force
World War II
Purple Heart
After a bombing raid on the Messerschmitt factory in Kassel (Germany) the crew tried to get back to their base in England. But at 11:00 their B17 of the 91 Bomb Group American Air Force with the name 'Man-O-War', was shot down by German fighter planes. The plane crashed in Opijnen, eight of the ten crew members died on impact. These eight men are interred in this cemetery.
Crew photo page 12 in the link below.
http://www.91stbombgroup.com/memorials/opijnen.html
***********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
**********************
Remembering S/Sgt Harold R. Sparks, one of the 8 American heroes buried in the village of Opijnen in the Netherlands. On July 30, 1943, Harold and his nine crewmates were returning to England after a bombing raid over Kassel, Germany, when suddenly, several enemy fighters attacked their B-17 bomber. To escape certain death, eight crew members bailed out over Opijnen, but as they descended, a German pilot started shooting at them. A local farmer recalled: "Eight of the crew members got out of the airplane, but when they were hanging on those big umbrellas, the German fighter started shooting at those poor boys. Oh man, I got so mad". Two crew members died in the B-17, six were murdered by the German pilot, and two were captured by German ground forces. The villagers immediately carried the lifeless bodies of the eight airmen to their local cemetery and buried them. At the end of the war, instead of being transferred to American military cemeteries, the citizens of Opijnen requested that the graves of the eight airmen be left to their care. Since then, this Dutch village has never stopped honoring these American heroes. Several memorials were erected, a formal church service takes place every year, flowers are always on their graves, and in 2006, when the village opened a new housing complex, the airmen were honored by having ten streets named after them.
Contributor: Andy (48021049) • [email protected]
*****************
Parents:
Albert Sparks
Dorothy Royce (Beddeson) Sparks
Siblings:
Kenneth Sparks
Shirley Frances Sparks
NOTES:
S/Sgt. Hermon D. Poling, Tail Gunner; S/Sgt. Harold R. Sparks, Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. George R. Krueger, Waist Gunner; 2nd Lt. John P. Bruce, Co-pilot; 2nd. Lt. Keene C. McCammon, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Daniel V. Ohman, Bombardier; S/Sgt. Mike A. Perrota, Ball Turret Gunner; T/Sgt. Douglas V. Blackwood, Radio Operator; T/Sgt. Americo Cianfichi, Engineer. Not pictured, 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan, Navigator.
Man O War - The original navigator, Gill, was replaced by 1st Lt. Robert U. Duggan (neither of which is shown in this photo). Gill was not in this photo as he was KIA with Forsblad's crew aboard the Stricnine, just 10 days before this crew was shot down on July 30, 1943. Only McCammon and Bruce survived. Crew members KIA can be referenced at the Opijnen Memorial and the 91st BG Memorial page (under Opijnen).
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