Memorial

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Statement of 1st Lt Arthur B. Sheldon Jr.:
"I was leading Blue flight, returning from a mission with the rest of the squadron, when the squadron leader was advised by the controller Ripsaw I on A channel that we were over friendly territory. After again checking with the controller that it was safe to let down, the squadron leader called to us to let down through a hole in the overcast, as further beyond, the overcast appeared to be solid. Continuing on course, we dived down, flights line abreast in battle formation and levelled off at 2,000 feet, below the overcast. For several minutes, we flew along at this altitude over very rough terrain, and then just as we approached a large town or city, I observed gun emplacements south of the town smoking. A few seconds later, flak began to break all around us, both 20 and 40mm. I immediately broke up into the overcast and came down again in 15 seconds. We were still being fired upon, and my flight was already split up, so I climbed back up into the overcast and came home alone. When I landed, I learned that my #4 man, Lt Thomas, had been shot down by this flak."