Memorial

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2nd Lt Charles D. Forman, Jr. attended Memphis Tech High School.

He enlisted on 1 February 1943 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Statement from Claude Acree, 1st Lt, Air Corps.
"On 25 December 1944, I was Navigator on plane #744, leader of the formation of which plane #016 was a part. At approximately 1245 hours, a crew member reported to me on interphone that the plane #016 had left formation with #2 engines either smoking or on fire. When I looked it was dropping back and out of the formation."

Statement from Edmond F. Sisko, S/Sgt Air Corps, Engineer.
'On the Morning of 25 December, 1944, Ship #16 was flying number 2 Position on the lead ship. The bomb-bay doors were open, and we were over the bomb run. I couldn't see too much of what happened, but ship #16 raised a little and then dropped behind, then he crossed over us. I saw a lot of sparks coming from #2 engine and a long spurt of flame. It quit throwing sparks and flames as it passed overhead. That is all I could see."

It is assumed that the pilot and co-pilot held the plane steady for the crew to bail out until it was too late for their escape. 2nd Lt William C. Brandan, Pilot, and 2nd Lt Charles D. Forman went down with the ship. The rest of the crew was taken Prisoner of War.