A-20 flown by 1st Lt. Robert E. Stockwell on 12 May 44
Lt. Stockwell KIA, Lt. Jedinak POW, Ssgt Foster KIA, Ssgt Rust POW
From the archives of the 671st Bomb Sq.:
"Lt. Stockwell had been with the 671st Squadron since last July [1943]. He rose to the position of flight leader and was one of the key men in the Group. He was liked and admired by everyone and his loss is deeply felt."
The afternoon mission on 12 May 44, the 46th for the 416th Bomb Group was to a Noball site at Beauvoir, France. On the bomb run, Lt. Stockwell's aircraft received a direct hit in the open bomb bay, just after release of their bombs, causing an explosion within the aircraft. Ssgt Rust was the tunnel gunner and able to exit through the ventral opening. Lt. Jedinak, the Bombardier/Navigator, after much difficulty, was able to clear the aircraft through his escape hatch. Lt. Stockwell and Ssgt Foster went down with the aircraft. This sensational photo was widely published at the time and since.
"Goin' Home" courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Band