Memorial

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Sgt Richard L. Lopez enlisted in Phoenix, Arizona on 14 September 1943. Before entering the service he was a student at Tuscon High School and was a station attendent for the Kelley Oil Company. He completed training as a heavy bomber gunner at Sioux City in Iowa and won his wings at Kingman field in Arizona.

The aircraft was flying in number 3 position of the lead element of the high squadron of the 486th Group. This group was the 4E group of the 4th Combat Wing. Flak in the target area was intense and accurate. Aircraft was hit by flak in the target area; crews are of the opinion that the Tokyo tank in the right wing was hit. At an altitude of 25,000 feet black smoke was seen coming out of the right wing. The aircraft pulled off to the left of the formation and the crew members started to clear the ship. The Hunter and Frese crews observed 8 chutes. Then the right wing tip broke off and the aircraft turned over and another man bailed out. All men cleared the aircraft and all chutes opened. The plane was last seen going down through clouds with the right wing burning. Sgt Cole also states that Sgt Allen saw Sgt Lopez in a school house. Sgt Lopez landed alive, but later died from his injuries. According to Allen, Lopez told the school teacher he was Spanish before he died. It is not know how he sustained his injuries. Wright had told Cole that Lopez did have trouble exiting the aircraft.