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Capt Clarence S. McIlveen worked in an aircraft factory before he volunteered for the Air Corps at Portland Airbase, Oregon, on 12 March 1942

The primary target of the 304 bombers were the oil refineries of Poznan, Poland, but due to cloud cover, 263 bombers diverted to the secondary target of Rostock.

The plane was last sighted in the vicinity northwest of Rostock, Germany, over Mecklenburg Bay. It had earlier sustained rocket attacks from two JU 88s which caused the loss of one engine and consequent lagging In the formation. It dropped about 1,000 feet below the formation and was jumped by three enemy aircraft which set the number 3 engine on fire. The plane was last seen, under control, gliding toward cloud cover with a JU 88 and ME 110 following it. Seven parachutes were sighted. The entire crew of 10 was killed.

One picture shows his brother on the left, 2nd Lt Clifford McIlveen, co-pilot of the "Mary Ellen III", and right 1st Lt Clarence McIlveen on the right.

The two brother pilots served in the same squadron in England after nine months of separation. Clifford had been over several months and Clarence had just joined the unit. They fly wing to wing whenever possible and they sleep besides each other in their hut.

He is remembered at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.