Memorial

More information

2nd Lt James R. Hale attended college.

He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 16 September 1942.

Statement from 2nd Lt James E. Keelan (mickey operator) and only survivor (out of nine crew members):
"A/C 566, returning from a mission on 17 February 1945, caught fire from an explosion in the nose over the North Sea, just off the coast of Ostend, Belgium, at less than 10,000 feet at approximately 1400 hours. Only slight battle damage had been inflicted. Two men, believed to be the radio operator and tail gunner, bailed out just off the coast of Ostend and were not observed by me after making their jump. I bailed out approximately 20 miles off the coast of Ostend. I was equipped with a Mae West preserver. I remained in the sea for about one hour and thirty minutes before being picked up. My chute opened within a few seconds before striking the water. A/C 566 crashed in the sea and to the best of my knowledge, remainder of the crew was in the ship. It is my opinion that they had little chance for survival. A/C 566 could not have been ditched."

All killed crew members are mentioned at the Walls of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle, except for Sgt. Francis Wishart, who is mentioned at the Walls of the Missing at Cambridge Cemetery.