Memorial

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Plane was lost due to mechanical failure. About 1010 on the North Sea and about one hundred and twelve miles from the English Coast one engine blew one cylinder which blew the cowling off and started a very intense fire. The pilot brought the plane as fast as possible down to the water and ditched it. The landing was not too bad, but the tail did break off. When the pilot climbed out of the plane it was already half way under the water and sinking fast. The tail gunner was off some distance from the life raft. The six crew members in the raft tried to paddle over to him but the wind and waves kept them apart. After about fifteen of twenty minutes they did not see or hear him calling again. About twelve o'clock, 3 P-47's found us. About one o'clock they dropped a Lindholm dinghy which we got in as soon as possible. About five o'clock a Wellington dropped a 'Flying Dutchman' rescue boat, which broke upon impact. About one half hour later they dropped another which we eventually got into. About seven thirty or eight o'clock we were picked up by R.M.L. #515 and brought to shore. Six of the crew were rescued from the water by Air Sea Rescue Service. Waist Gunner (Furrow) was last seen after plane ditched, his face was bleeding. Three of the crew were killed: John E. Furrow Jr., tail Gunner Glen H., Cline and navigator Waren L. King.