Memorial

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1st Lt Floyd H. Chesmore attended high school for 1 year and was a chauffeur. He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Missoula, Montana on 8 April 1942. He trained at Cal-Aero Flight Academie, Ontario and Merces Army Flying School in Merced, California and graduated from flying school at Yuma, Arizona in April 1943, the same time he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant.

Returning from a bombing mission over Frankfurt am Main the aircraft was hit by flak over Brussels, Belgium. The number one and two engines were hit and because of no oil pressure it was unable to feather the props. Also the left waist gunner, Edward Michonski, was hit in the foot. A few seconds after the command to bail out was given, te aircraft blew up. At that time, only the pilot and tho co-pilot were still on board. Lt Chesmore was found lying near the crashed plane and was buried by the Germans in Moerzeke, Belgium on 4 March 1944. He is remembered with a cross at the place were the plane crashed. Also, one of the engines is preserved as a monument (photo on the right).

Two crew members were killed and are both buried at Ardennes. The other crew member is Leroy J. Teachey Jr. Five were taken prisoner and three escaped.

Statement from right waist gunner S/Sgt Lawrence J. Branden, right waist gunner:
"Lt Teachey (co-pilot) and Lt Chesmore seemed to be all right as I left the ship. I glanced toward the cockpit and both were still in their seats as if nothing was wrong. Lt Chesmore had given the order to bail out and he seemed all right then."

Statement from Sgt Billy T. Lewis, tail gunner:
"I saw six or eight single engine fighters attack the formation of B-17s. They knocked one of them out of the formation and then finished him off. The last I saw of the Fort it exploded just before going through the clouds. This all happened in the few minutes we had no escort, just before the target. It was too far to see any parachutes."

Lt Chesmore was initially buried at the New Community Cemetery of Moerzeke on 4 March 1944 by the Germans. He was disinterred and evacuated to Ardennes Cemetery. He was interred there in a temporary grave on 14 May 1945. He was again disinterred on 3 November 1948 and his remains were prepared and placed in a casket on 4 November 1948. He was given his final resting place on 1 April 1949.