A memorial honoring World War Two US airmen will be unveiled tomorrow in Bury St Edmunds, marking 81 years since the tragic crash of the Mission Mistress.
On January 6, 1945, a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress named the Mission Mistress took off from Rougham Airfield near Bury St Edmunds. Tragically, the plane crashed in Home Covert, a wooded area on what is now the Moreton Hall estate. The crash resulted in the deaths of five of the nine crew members and injuries to four others.
The crew, part of the 94th Bomb Group, was on a critical bombing mission to Germany. Tomorrow marks 81 years since the crash, and a memorial will be unveiled near the site to honor these brave airmen and all who flew from RAF Bury St Edmunds during the war.
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Lt. Jack W Collins | Pilot | KIA |
| 2nd Lt. Robert J. Doran | Co-pilot | Survived |
| 2nd Lt. Gordon F. Henry | Navigator | KIA |
| Sgt Clinton R. Hallman Jr. | Togglier | KIA |
| S/Sgt James F. Tate | Top Turrent Gunner/Engineer | KIA |
| Sgt Raymond J. Von Bokel | Radio Operator | KIA |
| Sgt Ony M. Carrico | Ball Turret Gunner | Survived |
| Sgt Nicholas A. Urda | Waist Gunner | Survived |
| Sgt Cecil H Schermerhorn | Tail Gunner | Survived |
The memorial will feature the names of the Mission Mistress crew. Clive Springett, a founding member of the Mission Mistress Memorial Trust, expressed pride in completing the project after six years. He stated, “It’s going to be a great day for the community.”
The unveiling event will include a presentation by Derek Wilson from the Trust, a dedication service, and a display by the Rougham Tower Association at the community center. Families of the airmen, including relatives of Sgt Clinton Hallman Jr. and Sgt Ony Carrico, are traveling from the US to attend.
David Shattles, a relative of Sgt Hallman Jr., shared that attending the memorial feels like closing a long-standing gap for his family. Loretta Carrico, daughter of Sgt Carrico, noted the importance of the memorial in helping her father heal from past traumas.
Mr. Springett emphasized the significance of remembering the sacrifices made by the crew and all who served. He stated, “To us, they are all heroes.” Students from local schools will also participate in the event, ensuring that the history of the airmen is remembered by future generations.
The memorial will be unveiled to the right of the Moreton Hall Community Centre. Many local businesses and individuals have supported the project, which aims to honor the legacy of the Mission Mistress crew and all who served from the airbase.
