Memorial

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S/Sgt Gilbert W. Sandoval volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Santa Fe, New Mexico on 9 December 1942.

The oxygen system was knocked out just as bombs were released. The only alternative was to descend to 15,000 or below to survive. The airplane was on top and they intended to stay in the clouds on the way back. After about 20 minutes they ran out of cloud cover and were immediately attacked by a flock of ME-109's. They were pretty well shot up - out of ammunition and on fire in the right wing. The control column went limp after a hit in the tail section with no control there was nothing they could do except bail out. Two crew members were killed, eight were taken prisoner.

According to a statement of one of the surviving crew members, S/Sgt Sandoval was knocked to his face during the attack of the fighters. He was not dead but one arm and a leg were practically blown off. He raised up and made a brave motion for the rest of the crew to get out and leave him there. The pilot came back and assisted him out. According to the pilot, the static line was torn and no ripcord handle was attached to it. He believed, S/Sgt Sandoval fell without his parachute opening.

He was initially buried at the cemetery for POW's and Russians in Vechta on 10 May 1944.