Memorial

More information

T/Sgt Alan D. Mackie worked in a machine shop before he volunteered for the US Army in New York City, New York, on 10 November 1942.

Statement from 1st Lt Donald D. Sibley:
"About one half hour before we hit the target, our number four engine began to run poorly, and our ship was forced to lag from position, and we took a position in trail to the last squadron in our group. From that vantage point we had not only our own squadron, but the whole group within our range of vision. We entered the target area under intense fire from flak guns. Immediately after the lead squadron bombs went away, the number five ship (570) suddenly pulled away from the formation down and to the right, with his number two engine smoking badly. The airplane lost altitude slowly and flew under control in a wide easy spiral, shortly the nose dropped into a steep dive. I was able to detect several small dark objects drop from her when suddenly she exploded. Almost simultaneously, chutes blossomed from the dark objects in intervals until I couldn’t see them below my right wing. There were six that I saw and were possibly more. The airplane continued flaming to the ground."

T/Sgt Mackie bailed out. He was lying dead on the ground near Oppeln, Germany. His parachute was still on and it was open.