Memorial

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2nd Lt Harry W. Zuest enlisted in the Air Corps in June 1943 (6 weeks before graduation at Union High school) instead of waiting to be drafted. It is believed he trained in Jefferson Barracks, MO, Texas and attended Knox College in IL. After flight school he was sent to Bombardier School. When he finished that training he was made a Bombardier/Navigator on a B26. After graduating in August 1944, he had a week of leave and in November 1944 was able to come home for 12 hours before shipping out. He then went to England then to France and flew his missions from there.
On February 14, 1945 he was on a bombing mission when their plane was hit by enemy flak directly over the target. Brown smoke like burning oil trailed out of the left nacelle. The plane immediately made a left turn off the target. Pilot Cpt Brennan told the bombardier 2nd Lt. Harry Zuest and the Co-Pilot Frederick LaFontaine to bail out to lighten the plane. Neither one had been wounded. He wanted to bring the plane down to save the wounded gunner(s). Cpt Brennan was able to land the plane but was captured. He was put on the back of a truck with a noose around his neck. They couldn´t get the truck started because they were using coals for lack of gas. A Luftwaffe officer came along and saved his life. He told him some of his buddies were not so lucky. 2nd Lt Zuest and LaFontaine were captured and hung by civilians. Sgt Monahan was killed during the crash.