Memorial

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1st Lt David C. Lee graduated from Warren Easton High School. He joined the Army Air Force in June 1942. He was sent overseas in June 1943.

At approximately 1005 hours, 24,000 feet, at the target, A/C No. Q-624 from this group was seen receiving concentrated attacks from E/A. No. 3 engine caught on fire, but the plane stayed in formation, the parts of the engine cowl began to fall off the A/C. A/C opened its bomb-bay doors to jettison its bombs, and as it did so, flare enveloped bomb-bay and radio compartment. A/C dropped bombs in target vicinity, and thoug it still tried to stay in formation, A/C finally fell out of place and slipped down on the left of the formation.

Approximately 5 men were seen leaving the A/C before it went into a slow spin, finally exploding about 5,000 feet from the ground. Some crews reported seeing 6-8 men bail out, and another crew counted 10 men. This last number may be true for while only a few chutes were seen, a number of crews reported seeing men making delayed jumps.

1st Lt Lee bailed out, close to where the plane hit the ground. He was brought to a first aid station in a very critical condition. A German doctor gave little hope for his recovery.