Memorial

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Sgt Louis J. Colwart Jr. worked in construction. He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Houma, Louisiana on 25 November 1942.

The mission dated from 8 February 1944. During the return flight, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft and it had to continue flying on three engines. Near Couvin it was attacked by two FW-190s after which the crew bailed out.

The radio operator T/Sgt Ross I. Kahler and the ball turret gunner Sgt Louis J. Colwart Jr. crashed with the bomber, the eight other crew members could leave the bomber.

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt George Eike, Navigator 2nd Lt Roland Benninger and Sgt John Pindroch (waist gunner) came down to Signy. More than two months later, they were captured by the Germans. On 22 April 1944, their remains, along with those of five other aviators and two resistance fighters were found in a forest near St. Remy.

A memorial to their memory was erected in 1999.

The pilot, Howard Snyder joined the resistance and survived. The tail gunner, Bill Slenker, remained in the area until he was liberated by US troops.