Webster in Day County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

WWII Plane Crash Holds Memories

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 5, 2015

1. WWII Plane Crash Holds Memories Marker

Inscription. On October 25th, 1944 at 3:50 p.m. an A26-B two engine medium bomber from the Watertown Army Airbase crashed and burned in a field on the northwest quarter of section 12 of Butler township, which is two miles south and one mile west of this site. The crash resulted in the death of the pilot, 1st Lt. Raymond Devere Schott of Youngstown, Ohio and severe burn injuries to the crew chief Ssgt. Donald R. Aspers of Pontiac, Michigan. May this monument always be a reminder of their sacrifice. Donated by the friends and relatives of crash site Eyewitnesses: Cliff and Lyle Buhler, Ed Wein, Frank Bohn, Harry and Nick Bury, Henry Berger, Herman and Dave Carlson, Henry and Herb Reiprich, Otto Dueschle, Elmer Berg, Joe Rydberg, and Fred Haase.

Erected 1994 by State of South Dakota. (Marker Number 659.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 1944.

Location. 45° 20.478′ N, 97° 32.121′ W. Marker is in Webster, South Dakota, in Day County. It is on U.S. 12 ¼ mile west of West 7th Street, on the right when traveling

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west. This marker is located outside the Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry, Webster, South Dakota. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 760 W Hwy 12, Webster SD 57274, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sigurd Anderson (here, next to this marker); The Fight at Webster (here, next to this marker); Edgar S. McFadden (a few steps from this marker); Webster (a few steps from this marker); "Lest We Forget" (approx. 0.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Pioneering in Dakota (approx. 8.1 miles away); Roslyn Auditorium (approx. 11 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Webster.

Also see . . . Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry. (Submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota.)

Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 5, 2015

2. Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry

Fourth marker in the row of markers.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,140 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.