Memorial

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Clair Des Voignes volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Los Angeles, California on 13 April 1942.

Statement of Lt Claude L. Chamberlin who flew in the same mission: "I was flying Capt Des Voignes' left wing at about 22,000 feet. We saw three P-47s coming almost towards us at about 2 o'clock position. Des Voignes started a turn to the right to keep them in sight and came in behind them. As we were in this turn, another P-47, flying straight and level came in towards us. I was behind, a little low and to the left of Des Voignes, when I saw this other P-47. Des Voignes could not see it because he was in a turn. The P-47 didn't seem to turn in any way. The P-47 hit the P-38 on the underside of the pilot's nacelle. I was on "C" channel so couldn't call Des Voignes as it happened too fast. Both planes exploded and burst into flames. The largest part I saw was the left motor and inboard section of the P-38. I saw no parachutes open."

Capt Des Voignes collided with Lt James A. Palmer (62nd FS, 56th FG), who was flying P-47 #42-25713.

According to the statement of the local police chief, Charles Vandenbussche, he saw both pilots bail out. Capt Des Voignes fell on the roof of a factory at the address Hoogstraat 100 because his parachute hadn't open. He also stated that the other pilot, Lt Parker, was never found because he believed he had escaped the Germans. Mr Vandenbussche had taken the lungs and the intestines of Capt Des Voignes and told the Germans he found these remains at another place and that they belonged to the second pilot, probably torn by the explosion of his airplane. He further told them that the rest of his remains weren't found and they had dropped in the river Durme. Although the back of Capt Des Voignes was totaly torn, they didn't see that wound and therefore didn't see his lungs and intestines were missing. They believed Mr Vandenbussche and agreed both pilots were killed and buried Capt Des Voignes remains, believing they were burying the remains of two men.

Afterwards it turned out that the risks Mr Vandenbussche took were not necessary at all, as Lt. Palmer also died in the crash. He is also buired at Ardennes Cemetery.

Capt Des Voignes was initially buried at the new municipal cemetery of Waasmunster, Belgium on 15 July 1944.

His remains were disinterred from the cemetery of Waasmunster on 29 March 1946 and transported to Ardennes Cemetery where he was reinterred in a temporary grave on 4 April 1946. His was given his final resting place on 8 April 1949.

Capt Des Voignes was a talented and humorous cartoonist and was very popular with members of his unit.