Memorial

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1st Lt Brent was commissioned a second lieutenant in the air forces in June 1943, at Yuma, Arizona, following earlier training at Mira Loma Flight Academy in Oxnard, California, and at Minter Field, Bakersfield, Calif. He took combat training at Casper, Wyoming. He was graduated from Eugene High School prior to entering military service, and was stationed at a Portland air base before he was called to cadet training.

Statement of Capt Andres Grove:
"100 to 150 enemy aircraft attacked our formation from 6 o'clock. They came in about 10 to 15 abreast and there were about 6 rows. B-24s were going down all around, and it was impossible to state which was which. Many parachutes were seen in the area. Many of the planes were seen going down in flames."

One of the surviving crew members, Radio Operator T/Sgt Sammy S. Weiner, said that after bombs away he heard Lt Brent saying over the interphone that he was very happy since this mission was his 33rd and he had only two to go. He also stated that he saw Lt Brent the last time when he tried to bail out of the bomb bay. He assumed Lt Brent either got hung up in the bomb bay or his parachute never opened.

The co-pilot, 2nd Lt Walter George, believed he was killed on the ground by civilians. He heard much small arms fire and many shouts and cries.

Lt Brent was first buried at the cemetery of Ulfen the same day.