Memorial

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2nd Lt Lon E Jackman, Jr graduated from Edgemont High School in 1941. He was an outstanding student-athlete and was president of his senior class. He was an actor before he joined the army.

He joined the National Guard in Edgemont, South Dakota on 15 October1938 and volunteered for the Air Corps of the U.S. Army as a private on 16 April 1942.

He was the co-pilot of a B-17 along with three other planes that were involved in the "Outfield Fly" buzzing of the first game of the 1943 World Series at Yankee Stadium. When the squadron landed at Presque Isle Airfield in Maine, the pilots were confined to quarters while court martial proceedings were undertaken. They were released after a few days and fined $75.00 each. You can read more about what happened here: http://www.303rdbg.com/outfieldfly.html

Anti-aircraft fire knocked out one engine and a subsequent German fighter attack resulted in the crew bailing out and the B-17 crashing near Bremen. Only 2nd Lt Jackman was killed and the other nine crewman became POW's.

According to witness statements of surviving crew members Lt Jackman was hit in the stomach by a 20 mm sqhell and his oxigen mask caught fire. Before one of the crew members present could stop him, he ended his own life by using his .45 pistol.

The ball turret gunner was the last to bail out and stated that the airplane exploded shortly after.