Memorial

More information

2nd Lt Robert A. Van Tuyl graduated from Freeport High school in 1937. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1941 and was employed at Sperry Gyroscope Co. as an industrial engineer.

He received his wings at Stuttgart Army Air Field in Stuttgart, Arkansas in 1944.

Cpl Victor J. Dewolf:
"I saw Red G (44-41213) come up under Yellow P, the tail surface hitting near the bomb bays of yellow P. The tail surfaces cracked off and drifted away. I don't know whether the tail turret remained a part of the plane or whether it was knocked off with the tail surfaces. Yellow P pulled up and looked to be temporarily out of control, but straightened out and left the formation. Red G went into a flat spin, losing all forward motion. The motors were still turning. I saw one chute come out of the rear of the plane, apparently the camera hatch. I followed Red G clear to the ground where it hit and exploded near a populated clearing in the mountains."

F/O Charles J. Ames:
"2nd Lt Van Tuyl was probably trapped in the plane when it went into a spin."