Memorial

More information

Ross McCollum attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

He joined the National Guard in Alburquerque, New Mexico on 6 January 1941.

Violent attacks of FW-190’s caused severe confusion in the Group formation. One of the B-17’s in the formation flew under this plane and attempted to emerge from the fighters on the right side. In doing this, his propeller blades cut open the leading edge of this B-17 on the right hand side. This touch caused a terrific bump on the plane and the pilot rang the bail out bell but regained control of the plane. He recalled the bail out order over the intercom and told the crew to stay at their stations. Almost immediately, the plane was attacked by three elements of FW-190’s from head on and the plane began falling down in very precipitous angle.

Lt Lloyd G. Crabtree, the bombardier, now knew it was time to leave the plane. Lloyd Crabtree looked around and saw that the navigator, Lt Daniel P. Jones was standing up at his desk. He had inadvertently popped or opened his lead parachute in putting it on. Lloyd Crabtree motioned him to gather the small parachute in his arms and to follow him. But Jones just looked at Crabtree and did not budge. It was difficult to reach to the front escape hatch because of the angle of decent of the plane but finally Lloyd Crabtree managed to bail out. While he drifted down, a ME-109 circled him but did not finish him off. Shortly afterwards McCollum’s plane crashed near the town of Epe and the 9 remainder of the crew were found killed.

They were initially buried at the cemetery of Ede.

It was the second mission of this crew.