Memorial

More information

Statement from Sgt Michael Rizzo, crew member of another bomber in the same group: "I was flying with Lt Hill in number 1 position of 'Baker' box. Lt De Groat was flying in number 3 position of 'Baker' box, to the left and slightly to the rear of our aircraft. We had experienced no flak on the way and had met no enemy fighters. We were flying at approximately 25,000 feet on our first run over the target when we could not drop our bombs because of an aircraft under us.

Lt De Groat was still in our formation when we made the second approach to the target, but peeled off to the left when about midway from the I.P. to the target. He was not hit by flak or fighters as much as I could see. The aircraft was fully under control, and all four engines were working. From my position in the tail turret, I watched the aircraft until it disappeared in the undercast. That is all I know of this occurrence."

It is believed that Sgt Joseph was shot while coming down in his parachute. It is not certain that the shots came from German or Russian soldiers. German flak knocked out the airplane over the Russian-German front, and the entire 10-man crew bailed out. Surviving crew members never accounted for Sgt Joseph on the ground, and they believe he was shot coming down, as the area was noted for this kind of activity. One crew member collected 30 holes in his parachute coming down.

Eight crew members survived and were taken prisoner; two men were killed.

His father donated a park in his memory to the City of Vincennes, Indiana. A video of this park can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUVseyPhARw