Memorial

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1st Lt Benton R. Gatch Jr. graduated from the University of Maryland in 1939. He majored in Agriculture and was a cheerleader all 4 years of school. Prior to entering the service he was employed at Southern States Winchester Petroleum Services in Virginia.

He enlisted in Baltimore, Maryland on 31 October 1942.

2nd Lt Robert J. Lucas:
"We had left the English Coast and were climbing on route, flying #3 position of 96th A Sqd. in the low section. The leader of the low section was Lt. Gatch, 339th Sqd. in A/C 43-37767 and we were at 8,500 or 9000 ft. at the time of the accidant. My pilot was flying at the time, cross cockpit. The formation was in good position. I glanced down and noticed the No. 6 man was dangerously close to us, took the controls and pulled our plane up and to the left. At the same time the low flight leader seemed to realize the danger of his wing man to us. In looking over, he must have taken his hands off the controls or else unknowingly pulled back on his elevator control. The No. 4 man, the low flight leader, Lt. Stilwell, 413th Sqd., in A/C 44-8697, came up under the No. 1 man, Lt Gatch, hitting him just behind the ball turret. It looked as though the No. 4 man hit him with his #2 engine and cockpit. Lt. Gatch's airplane broke in two at the ball turret and went down. The nose of Lt. Stilwell's A/C was knocked off and then the wings came off as he went down. One chute was raported seen but no evidence of this was found as we left the formation at the order of the command pilot and circled the area . Air Sea Rescue personnal arrived shortly and we the returned to base."