Near Naper in Boyd County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lost Airmen of World War II

Photographed by Jeffrey A. Schimpff, September 7, 2009

1. Lost Airmen of World War II Marker

Inscription. On August 3, 1944, a C-47 transport carrying twenty-eight men of the U.S. Army Air Forces crashed in a ravine six miles southwest of Naper during a severe storm. There were no survivors. It was the largest single military air disaster in Nebraska history. The plane was in flight from the Bruning, Nebraska, Army Air Field to Pierre, South Dakota, where the men would complete gunnery training before going overseas. A monument in nearby Knollcrest Cemetery honors their sacrifice.

Erected by Naper Historical Society; Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 453.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 42° 57.521′ N, 99° 5.404′ W. Marker is near Naper, Nebraska, in Boyd County. It is on State Highway 12, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Naper NE 68755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and

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in the Niobrara Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Naper Area Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lost Airmen (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Bonesteel (approx. 10.7 miles away in South Dakota); State Line Marker (approx. 11.1 miles away in South Dakota); Iron Post (approx. 11.1 miles away in South Dakota); Legacy Park (approx. 11.1 miles away in South Dakota); Bonesteel American Legion Memorial (approx. 11.1 miles away in South Dakota); Fairfax Veterans Memorial (approx. 11.3 miles away in South Dakota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naper.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Lost Airmen of World War II Memorial at Knollcrest Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeffrey A. Schimpff, September 7, 2009

2. Lost Airmen of World War II Memorial at Knollcrest Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2013, by Jeffrey A. Schimpff of Madison, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,521 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 7, 2013, by Jeffrey A. Schimpff of Madison, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.