His B-17, while returning from a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany, was crashed into by B-17 "Holy Mackeral" (#42-3265) and ended up crashing into the Wadden Sea (North Sea).

The "Holy Mackeral" had been hit by enemy flak causing an explosion on board and the pilot, 2nd Lt. Ewing J Leblanc, lost control of his B-17 due to the damage done by the enemy.

Airmen who perished on B-17 (#42-30860):

Carpentieri, Anthony, S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner, New York

Girvin, Robert P., 2nd Lt, Bombardier, California

Hull, John B., S/Sgt, Tail Gunner, New York

Kelly, Clarence E., S/Sgt, Nose Gunner, Georgia

Lemieux, Arthur L., T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, Maine

Rucker, Richard W., S/Sgt, Right Waist Gunner, Indiana

Schanke, Elbert W., 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, Minnesota

Schroeder, Merl L., 1st Lt, Pilot, Idaho

Tracy, Henry A., 2nd Lt, Navigator, Nebraska

Wade, Ivan J., T/Sgt, Radio Operator, California

Airmen who perished on B-17 (#42-3265) "Holy Mackeral":

Coleman, Andrew E., Jr., S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, Massachusetts

Dudus, Peter J., T/Sgt, Radio Operator, New York

Hovorka, Victor, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, Nebraska

Kinney, George A., S/Sgt, Tail Gunner, Rhode Island

Le Blanc, Ewing J., 2nd Lt, Pilot, Louisiana

Martire, Silvio, T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, New York

Mattarochia, John, S/Sgt, Right Waist Gunner, Pennsylvania

Sudbury, Robert E., S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner, Florida

Airmen who became POW's from B-17 (#42-3265):

Rogers, Lowell, 2nd Lt, Bombardier

Wales, Kenneth S. J., 2nd Lt, Navigator, Maryland

Source: Find A Grave contributor Russell Pickett

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Merl L Schroeder