Memorial

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Col Marshall Bonner graduated from San Jacinto High School. He received an appointment to West Point and graduated in 1933. Following graduation, he was stationed for 2 1/2 years at Luke Field, Hawaii. He was an instructor at West Point for three years in the department of mechanics. He was assigned to the Second Air Force in June 1943.

Report of the pilot, 1st Lt Lamar J. Dunn, who was one of the surviving crew members: "Just after we dropped our bombs, we got a hit which knocked out the windshield. Ten or fifteen seconds later, we received a direct hit in the vicinity of the flight deck. As soon as we were hit, fire broke out in the flight deck, about the left half was on fire. Controls were out and there was no rudder, elevator or aerilon control. I was unable to contact the crew by inter-phone. I pushed the bailout signal and held it for a few seconds. I glanced at my altimeter, and we had reached approximately 1,200 feet. At that time, the ship came out on almost an even keel. During this time, I hadn't contacted any members of the crew. I was not aware of what was happening in any part of the ship in the pilot compartment. The next thing I remember, I was falling through space. I opened my chute. There were two chutes below mine."

His Silver star citation told how, despite attacks from enemy fighters and heavy antiaircraft fire which severely crippled his aircraft, Col Bonner led his formation successfully to the target which was severely damaged. He continued to lead his formation over the target until his crippled and damaged aircraft was forced out of formation and was seen last losing altitude over enemy territory.
Two crew members bailed out and were taken prisoner, nine were killed.