Memorial

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Joe D. Schermerhorn enlisted on 21 August 1942 in Washington in District of Columbia.

The A/C was part of a formation whose target was Ploesti oil fields. At 1420, and while yet about one half hour from the target, the plane was attacked by fighters. On the second or third pass, rocket fire or machine gun fire knocked out the interphone system and set the plane afire amidships. The plane exploded.
Statement from 2nd Lt. Ronald Cook.
At about L435, over Ocnita, Rumania, and while our formation was being attacked by enemy aircraft, I saw what appeared to be airplane no. 42-52103, piloted by 1st Lt. Wilfred B. McAllister, flying in our low flight, losing altitude. Some chutes opened from the plane, probably three or four. I did not see the plane crash, but lost sight of it. It was apparently in trouble, and enemy fighters were after it.
S/Sgt Schemerhorn was found nearby the wreckage of the plane with his chute unopened. 1st Lt. Wilfred B. McAllister, 2nd Lt. William L. Story, T/St. John E Oprisko, S/Sgt Robert J. Wood and S/Sgt. Schermerhorn were killed. Some of the crewmembers were identified by the Bombardier and the Navigator who searched the wreckage and attended the funeral which was held in a small town near Targoviste, Rumania.