Memorial

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Statement of Maj James A. Goodson:
"While leading the Group on the 31st of May, 1944, Lt Homuth flew in No. 2 position in my section, and Capt McElroy flew No. 3 position.
As we crossed in the French coast, in the Ostend area, I noticed that there were only 3 aircraft in my section. Lt Church, the No. 3 in my section, later reported that Capt McElroy had waggled his wings and turned for home shortly before crossing in. No more was heard from him.
As we crossed in the enemy coast we encountered a bank of towering cumulus cloud, and it was necessary to make a climbing turn to avoid it. During the orbit, it was necessary for me to enter cloud for a short time. Lt Homuth was with me as I entered the cloud, and when I emerged a few seconds later, he was not.
In the case of Lt Homuth, at least, it would appear to be yet another case of lack of cloud flying and close formation while training in the Zone of Interior."

According to records in the MACR, the planes of Lt Homuth and Capt McElroy were downed by lightning. Possibly, they collided in mid-air. Capt Carroll B. McElroy's plane crashed in Zandbergen. He bailed out and was taken prisoner.

Lt Homuth's remains were recovered with head wounds and bone fractures the same day, 1 Km from the place of the crash. It is assumed that he also could have bailed out, but that his parachute opened too late or not at all.

He was initially buried at the cemetery of Geraardsbergen, Belgium on 2 June 1944.

The historical association, Wings of Memory, is planning a memorial for both airmen.