Memorial

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T/Sgt Christopher A. Morris graduated from Bay County High School in 1941 and was a carrier for the News-Herald and its predecessor publications from the time he was a little boy. When he was 18 he was a solicitor for the papers circulation department, winning friends wherever he went. For a time he was employed by th O.E. Miley Dairy at St. Andrew.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Montgomery, Alabama on 14 March 1942 and trained at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri. He was sent overseas on 10 May 1943.

Statement form 2nd Lt Walter E. Allen, one of the surviving crew members:
"After trouble began over target we were constantly under enemy attack until we went down. Shortly before the finish several voices were heard to come over the interphone. Proof that the interphone was not out was that a few voices still came over. Twenty millimeter shells burst within 2 yards of me twice. Since the nose was not attacked as severely as the fuselage because nose guns were very active, but ball turret was out. It is logical to believe that many shells hit within the fuselage in the period of 25 minutes of contant attack. Ball Turret operator S/Sgt Gunson, Co-Pilot 1st Lt Grose, Radio Operator T/Sgt Kanetzky and Waist Gunner were all still in the A/C when it struck the ground."

The airplane exploded in the air. Four crew members were killed in the plane, two died on the ground and four were taken prisoner.