Memorial

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F/O Paul Stephens attended high school for four years and was employed at Aluminum Industries work shop.

He enlisted in Fort Thomas Newport, Kentucky on 10 March 1943.
Statement from 2nd Lt John W. Ellsworth:
"Co-Pilot of B-17 No. 378, flying in formation of the first wave, first squadron, second element, number three position. I saw B-17 No. 671 last at 1408 hours from 26,800 feet at 51.29 N – 14.00 E. I observed a fire inside his left wing behind the number one engine. I called him but received no answer. B-17 No. 671’s pilot must have noticed the fire coming up thru top of his wing, for he called the “able” box leader and then peeled off to the left. Pilot said he was afire and was leaving the formation. I observed no chutes."
According to other crew members F/O Stephens bailed out, being allright but he was found laying dead on the ground. They mentioned that they met some small arms fire and later machine gun fire. They reported that the body of F/O Stephens was motion less on the ground to Russian troops who tried to recover his body at night fall, which failed. It was still on the same position the next morning. The Russians agreed to give him a military burial upon recovery.

F/O Stephens was the only casualty. The rest of the crew returned to an Allied base.