Date: 1945 Feb 14/14			A/C Type: B-17G   Fortress		SN: 43-38405		Code: YB-D		A/C Nickname:
File: 636		Airforce: USAAF		Sqn/Unit:  BG -  BS			Mission/Raid: Dresden?
1	Pilot	1Lt. Curtis E. Ash					9	RWG	not carried
2	Co-pilot	2Lt. Ned Benedict					10	TG	Sgt. Louis D. Anderson
3	Nav.	1Lt. Robert W. Hays        hit by bullit, KIA					11
4	B	Sgt. Arthur A. Nicolas					12
5	E	T/Sgt. Robert B. Pierce					13
6	RO	S/Sgt. Ward E. Brady					14
7	BTG	Sgt. Kenneth Graser					15
8	LWG	Sgt. John R. Norbo					16
On route to target hit by Flak at Dutch coast at IJmuiden. Dropped bombs in the dunes. Spiraled down, and emergency landed in the Noorderveld polder north of Wormerveer. 1 KIA, 8 POW.

Co-pilot Ned Benedict was wounded in action and was liberated in a hospital in Apeldoorn.

Navigator Robert W. Hays was hanging in his parachute and was shot upon from the ground. 
A bullit hit him in the stomach. In a farmhouse he got a last sigaret and died.
He was initially buried in Assendelft.  


8mm movie 1 minute on youtube filmed 1945 after liberation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S44BkhLxSyw


30 seconds film on the recovery of the wreck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw9Inn6nI5E


Story and photos on website Teun PATS:  http://www.teunispats.nl/macr-12109.htm
When on this page, press CTRL + F and search on 'Benedict'.











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