Hirtzfelden, France
Monument to the Aaron Conover Crew, Hirtzfelden, France
Dedicated May 13, 2017
On 20 January 1945, Captain Aaron A. Conover and crew left Horham on the 95th BG’s sortie number 266, with an original target of the Breisach Railway Bridge in Germany. Heavy cloud cover and stronger than expected winds resulted in the 13th CBW “C” formation altering their heading toward the secondary target of the Heilbronn, Germany marshalling yard. According to Missing Air Crew Report #11755, “Shortly after leaving the target, a/c last observed in formation as the group flew through some cirrus clouds.” This was the 12th combat mission for most of the Conover crew; the on-board observer (Sgt JF Garry) had only 3 missions and the ball turret gunner (S/Sgt HC Hall) had 27 missions. With the 95th BG, 335th BS, B-17G serial number 44-8660, R/T code “W” failing to return from this combat mission, the following casualties were recorded: 4 KIA & 6 POW; Pilot: Capt Aaron C Conover [KIA]; Co-Pilot: 2Lt Ernest M Veal [POW]; Navigator: 2Lt Eeward D Larkin [KIA]; Bombardier: F/O Allen B Kodish [KIA]; ROG: S/Sgt Frank Kotyk [POW]; TT/E: T/Sgt Delbert D Bennett [KIA]; BTG: S/Sgt Harold C Hall [POW]; WG: S/Sgt Ervin F Schropp [POW]; TG: S/Sgt Kenneth N Wurtz [POW]; OBS: Sgt James F Garry [POW].
(Reference sources: National Archives & Records Administration; “Operational Record of the 95th BG – revised/updated 1990” by Paul M. Andrews)
