Memorial

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For the first time in a number of missions, the Group encountered enemy aircraft--this time jets! Six Me-262 jets flew through the formation, shooting down one 401st aircraft and damaging another. The Group also flew into accurate flak, which resulted in major battle damage to two aircraft and minor damage to fifteen others.
The downed 401st ship was B-17 No. 43-38607 ("Lady Jane II"), piloted by Lt David E. Vermeer. After being hit by fire from an enemy jet aircraft, the B-17 continued over the target and then fell off on one wing out of the formation. Even though the ship was able to make it most of the way out of Germany, it was again attacked by Luftwaffe Me-262s after American fighter escort planes had left. Lt Vermeer then gave the bailout signal, and six of the nine crew members parachuted to safety--and captivity. The pilot, togglier, and radio operator did not exit the ship and were killed in the crash.
Dave left for the service in February 1943 and left for active overseas service in the early part of February 1945. He was with the 557th Division of the 8th Army Air Corps with headquarters stationed in England. As far as it is known, this was his 7th mission.