Memorial

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The target was the marshalling yards at Wittenberg, Germany. Moderate, accurate flak was encountered over the target and two planes were lost to enemy action. Due to smoke and haze over the target only one flight from the group was able to bomb the primary. The crews of the two planes that were lost were as follows: Listed as missing in action was 1st Lt William Dow, 2nd Lt D.K. Booth, S/Sgt Sievers, S/Sgt R.E. Howard, S/Sgt D.R. Kittredge and S/Sgt L.R. Pitman. The crew of the second plane to be lost on the mission was listed as prisoners of of war (later liberated).

Statement of Donald E. SHEPHERD, O-704507, 1st Lt., 450th Bomb Squadron:
"I was flying as co-pilot in the aircraft leading the flight. The lost aircraft was flying on our left wing. I first observed Lt. Dow's aircraft as we turned off the target and his plane came directly under ours. The plane was in a steep dive and smoke was coming from its tail. Later I saw flames come out of the left side of the plane. At the same time I saw one chute leave the aircraft and blessom out. Diving earthward the plane made a shallow turn to the left and hit in the center of a small town. The aircraft exploded immediately upon hitting the ground."

The plane received a direct hit from antiaircraft fire and crashed into a house at Muhlanger, 1 mile south east of Wittenberg. In December 1948 the wreckage could be located, however no trace could be found of the remains of the decaesed crew members. It is believed that their remains were totally destroyed by the ensuing fire since the plane and the house burned completely.

1st Lt William E. Dow is remembered at the Friendship Park Cemetery in Paragon, Morgan County, Indiana.