Memorial

More information

1st Lt David A. Humke graduated from Dubuque High School. He received his BA degree from the University of Dubuque.

He was employed by the West Liberty School District as a math teacher and assistant coach.

He enlisted at Fort Des Moines, Iowa on 31 October 1941. He was sent overseas in May 1943.

The plane was last seen over the North Sea. They had suffered continuous fighter attacks which set the plane on fire. Six crew members bailed out at about 5000 feet over the North Sea as six parachutes were seen in the air. Only the bombardier, Lawrence Robert Wolford survived. In his post war statements, together with apparently eye witness statements from other planes in the formation, it is believed that the regular co-pilot (who was flying in the tail gunner position) was killed in the fighter attacks. Also the Radio Operator was believed to have been killed prior to the bailout. There is no mention or speculation in the MACR of exactly what might have happened to Postlewait. Of the six who bailed out, three have been identified as Wolford, the bombardier (and only survivor), the navigator Humke and the assistant navigator (listed as an observer) Howell. Howell's body washed ashore near the German/Danish border in August.