Memorial

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Statement of Russell E. Grimmer, 2nd Lt., :
“I, Russel E. Grimmer, 2nd Lt., was in No. 4 position of Red Flight on an armed reconnaissance mission over designated target, Rescheid Base, Germany, on 27 September 1944. 2nd Lt Philip J. Beisner was in No. 3 position of same flight. Shortly after we resumed course, Lt Beisner's plane was hit by flak. He did a slow roll to the right, and as he did, I could see pieces flying off his plane. He apparently had been hit too, as he continued to go down, turning slowly. I tried to keep sight of him, but lost him, I did not see Lt. Beisner use his parachute; so I assumed he went down all the way with his plane. “

Statement of Howard R. Rideout, 1st Lt,:
“I, Howard R. Rideout, 1st Lt., was flying in No 2 position of Red Flight on an armed reconnaissance mission over designated target, Rescheid Base, Germany, on September 27, 1944. Lt Philip J Beisner was in No. 3 position of same flight. We had been on course for home about two minutes, when I noticed the sky directly overhead was filled with small white bursts from intense white flak. Lt Beisner, who was flying just opposite my left wing, turned into me, and passed inverted under my plane. I lost sight of him for a moment, then picked him up again to my right. He was just completing a right-hand roll. His plane made two more complete rolls while diving at 45 degrees. It crashed right side up and exploded on impact. I did not see his plane struck by flak, but I feel that Lt. Beisner himself was hit. His plane acted as though no one were on the controls. Lt. Beisner made no effort to jump, as the canopy was still closed at the end of the second roll, I saw no parachute, and am certain that he would not have survived the crash.”