Memorial

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Sgt James L. Vajgl enlisted in Cleveland, Ohio on 28 December 1942.

The aircraft made an emergency landing after being hit by flak in an inboard engine and the wing fuel tanks.

The entire crew of nine men bailed out successfully.

Seven crew members were taken prisoner at different places on the day itself or the next day.

The navigator, Robert J. Branizza, was taken prisoner six days later and spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft III. The pilot, Lt Howell, was the last to bail out, but his parachute failed to open. He was initially hospitalized with a fractured skull and later transferred to Stalag Luft III.

The other crew members were all executed by German civilians.

During a military court in Dachau during the period of 20 February to 31 March 1947, seven German civilians were charged for the murder of Vicore Dolecek, Sammie Vinson, James Vajgel, and George Grubsia. Several were sentenced to death; others to imprisonment.

Herschel Hamblin, Bertil Johnson, and Arthur Majectic were executed by unknown assailants in the district of Schönberg. James Vajgl was shot by one or more unknown assailants in or near Börzow on 23 June 1944.