Memorial

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T/Sgt Donald P. Sowers worked in the production of bakery products before he volunteered for the U.S. Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on 22 July 1942.

Statement from Capt Thomas W. Bennett:
"On combat mission of 1st August, 1943, Aircraft No. 42-40313 failed to return to base. On the morning of 2nd August, 1943, my complete crew and I took off in aircraft #082 for a search mission in the area. We were looking for survivors of the ships missing from the previous day's operation. After taking off, we flew direct to the eastward edge of the area. We spent two and one-half hours flying at 500 feet making consecutive parallel courses 6 miles apart. We then returned to our base. During the entire operation, nothing was observed by either myself or crew. A/C took a direct AA hit in the bomb bay and crashed in refinery grounds. Only two escaped this target-area flaming wreck."