42-78292
Courtesy of Charles Morgan
Courtesy of Fred Tolar
William Jackson crew
Second Lieutenant S.B Tolar was killed in action on June 26, 1944. His Bombardment Group was on route to destroy the Moosbierbaum refinery in Austria when his plane was shot down.
Their 36 bomber formation was attacked by three waves of over 100 twin- and single-engine German fighters. Against these odds the 455th Bombardment Group still accomplished their mission losing 10 aircraft during the engagement. My uncle’s aircraft, the Miss Fitt, was one of the 10 bombers shot down.
The waist gunners were able to exit the aircraft and parachute to the ground where they were captured. The cockpit crew and the ball gunner were unable to get out in time.
Lieutenant Tolar was the navigator/bombardier on the aircraft. He was 27 years old. The remains of the cockpit crew were co-mingled and are buried together at the national cemetery in San Antonio, TX.