Memorial

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2nd Lt David M. Paris attended college for one year.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve as a private in Louisville, Kentucky on 23 October 1942.

The aircraft took a direct hit from flak just after bombs away. There was an explosion and the plane broke into many flaming pieces. No parachutes were seen. Sgt Bacon, a crew member of another plane, saw two men come out of the plane. He couldn't say whether they had jumped or been thrown clear. He saw no parachutes.

As this happened a crew member of another plane took a photo of Blue Streak and this photo appeared in most of the London newspapers and one New York newspaper (see: Beeson, William H).

The entire crew was killed. They were initially buried on the cemeteries of Kreypau and Kriegsdorf. After the war the body of Lt Paris was never recovered.

His brother John was a Captain-Flight Surgeon, who served with the U.S. Army Air Force in Lybia, North Africa from 1942 to 1945.

Lt Colonel Henderson R. Marriott send us the following story:

"After the death of Lt Paris in the "Blue Streak" B-17 heavy bomber over Germany, a few personal articles were returned to the family. One item was (1) full USAAF issue parachute.

A family burial service was held by Dr. John Paris in 1999 in New Albany, IN-USA- for his
brother lost on the B-17 "Blue Streak".

IRONY:

My father, Lt Henderson R Marriott, JR. Served as crew member-bombardier on the B-24
"Modest Maiden" during 1944. {30 missions over occupied France and Germany}.

He returned to the USA following the war, and died in 2000. Among his effects was a bombardier's kit bag. Within the kit bag were effects and maps, medals and USAAF manuals.

All of his World War II uniforms, medals and USAAF wings were donated to the 8th Air Force Museum now located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. USA.

Inside the kit bag also was a newspaper original picture-clipping showing Lt David Paris B-17 as it was struck by flak and exploded, losing all crew members.

Further irony to the story of Lt David Paris is that in 1994, Dr. Marion S. Paris {The niece of Lt Paris} and I were married and lived in Alabama."

2nd Lt Paris is remembered at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana.