Lt. Schouten KIA, Ssgt Williamson KIA, Sgt Feistl KIA
A-20G Tail #43-9707
From the archives of the 671st Bomb Sq.:
Today was another dark Sunday for this Squadron in particular. Take off for another "No-Ball"- Bonnieres - was in the mid-morning. Up to the target area nothing of importance happened except for some inaccurate flak. The second box took an extremely long (1-1/2 minutes) bomb run for a known well defended target. It was on this run that Lt. Joseph T. Schouten, flying number four in the lead flight second box, received a hit on his right engine. He held position, however, until additional direct hits blew the entire fuselage off directly behind the wing, and the forward section of the plane tumbled to the ground. No chutes were seen to open. Though the crew are officially " Missing in Action", the Squadron has reconciled itself to the loss of Lt. Schouten, Sgt. Feistl and S/Sgt. Williamson. Sgt. Feistl had received the Purple Heart and a cluster for injuries sustained on previous missions with this Group.
"Goin' Home" courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Band