Memorial

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Capt Timothy E. Crimmins Jr. graduated from Lanier High School for Boys in 1938 and was employed at the Crane Company as a purchasing agent.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Cochran Field, Georgia, on 28 September 1942. He earned his wings and commission in March 1944 at Turner Field, Georgia,m and was sent overseas in September 1944.

Aircraft 43-38639 was flying the lead position of the low section, low squadron. This aircraft was struck from beneath by B-17 #43-38210. A portion of the aircraft, striking the airplane, lodged in the under portion of 43-28639 and the pilot apparently lost complete control of the aircraft. Witnesses state that it began to lose altitude, under partial control, with pilot swerving his aircraft in an attempt to dislodge the vertical stabilizer of the aircraft that had collided with him, and which had lodged in the forward under portion of 43-28639. In doing so, aircraft 43-28639 broke apart at the beginning of the tail section and went into a flat spin. From four to six parachutes were reported as having been observed leaving this aircraft. The formation was flying over the North Sea at the time, and the parachutes and aircraft hit the water."

An air/sea rescue search was made aware of the area, but no crew members were seen nor were any bodies recovered.

Both B-17s had nine crew members. All eighteen men were killed.