Memorial

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2nd Lt Frederick W. La Fontaine Jr. joined the Regular Army in Providence, Rhode Island on 4 November 1942.

He graduated from Pawtucket High School in 1940.

Statement from Sgt John E. Callahan:
"I saw the plane above and to the right in a one o’clock position apparently in the first box, position three of flight one piloted by Capt Brennan hit by enemy flak directly over the target. I did not see any bombs released by this plane before being hit. Brown smoke like burning oil trailed out of the left nacelle. Plane immediately made a left turn off the target. Plane was lost from sight for a moment. I picked up sight of the plane again on the turn off of the target as the plane was flying in the same direction. Thirty seconds later the plane went into a dive. I called to the bombardier who could see the plane from his position. The bombardier said he saw the plane go into a spin and observed it until lost from view about 1500 feet from the ground. I saw two chutes drifting back towards the target."