Memorial

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T/Sgt Robert D. Fitzgerald worked in an aircraft factory before he volunteered for the Army of the United States in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 16 September 1942.

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 the 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 reportedly 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 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.