Near Chappell in Deuel County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
B-24J Bomber Crash
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016
1. B-24J Bomber Crash Marker
Inscription.
B-24J Bomber Crash. . During World War II Nebraska was home to eleven air bases, which filled the sky with planes engaged in training aircrews. On June 7, 1944, fifteen B-24 bombers departed from the Lincoln Army Air Base en route to the west coast. During a thunderstorm B-24J #44-40758 caught fire, descended to 500 feet, and began circling the town of Chappell, Nebraska, when it exploded about two miles southeast of here. All personnel aboard were killed instantly. The ten airmen who made the supreme sacrifice while serving their country were: 2nd Lt. Donald S. Wallace, Peculiar, MO; 2nd Lt. Colon A. Holland, Waynesboro, MS; 2nd Lt. Frank K. Duffey, Cranford, NJ; 2nd Lt. Paul E. Rose, Mammoth Springs, AK; S/Sgt. Robert E. Rogers, Camilla, GA; S/Sgt. Vance C. Johnson, Stromsburg, NE; Sgt. Bernard T. Clark, New York, NY; Sgt. Ralph A. Young, Anadarko, OK; Sgt. Peter L. Zamboto, Rochester, NY; and M/Sgt. William E. Webster, Oneonta, NY. All were members of the 866th Bombardment Squadron (H), Seventh Air Force.
During World War II Nebraska was home to eleven air bases, which filled the sky with planes engaged in training aircrews. On June 7, 1944, fifteen B-24 bombers departed from the Lincoln Army Air Base en route to the west coast. During a thunderstorm B-24J #44-40758 caught fire, descended to 500 feet, and began circling the town of Chappell, Nebraska, when it exploded about two miles southeast of here. All personnel aboard were killed instantly. The ten airmen who made the supreme sacrifice while serving their country were: 2nd Lt. Donald S. Wallace, Peculiar, MO; 2nd Lt. Colon A. Holland, Waynesboro, MS; 2nd Lt. Frank K. Duffey, Cranford, NJ; 2nd Lt. Paul E. Rose, Mammoth Springs, AK; S/Sgt. Robert E. Rogers, Camilla, GA; S/Sgt. Vance C. Johnson, Stromsburg, NE; Sgt. Bernard T. Clark, New York, NY; Sgt. Ralph A. Young, Anadarko, OK; Sgt. Peter L. Zamboto, Rochester, NY; and M/Sgt. William E. Webster, Oneonta, NY. All were members of the 866th Bombardment Squadron (H), Seventh Air Force.
Erected by Nebraska Historical Society. (Marker Number 348.)
41° 5.029′ N, 102° 28.258′ W. Marker is near Chappell, Nebraska, in Deuel County. Memorial is at the intersection of State Highway 25A and County Route 165, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 25A. The marker is in the “Chappell Pony Express Park”, with multiple monuments
at exit 85 off Interstate 80. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chappell NE 69129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 721 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
