World War II Honoree

Richard M. Sagers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Hood River, Oregon

Honored By

John Meurs

Relationship

Dutch Historian

SERVICE NUMBER: 39318635. TAIL-GUNNER WITH THE 389TH BG, 566TH BS, OF THE 8TH USAAF, BASED IN ENGLAND. ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1944, HIS AIRCRAFT, THE B-24J, SERIAL # 44-10579, “PUGNACIOUS PRINCESS PAT,” RECEIVED TWO DIRECT FLAK HITS ON THE BOMB RUN TO THE SYNTHETIC FUEL PLANT IN MISBURG, GERMANY. ONE WING AND PART OF THE TAIL PIECE BROKE OFF. BOTH WAIST-GUNNERS AND THE PILOT COULD BAIL OUT WHILE THE NAVIGATOR WAS BLOWN CLEAR FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THESE FOUR WERE TAKEN PRISONER. THE SIX OTHERS, INCLUDING THE HONOREE, LOST THEIR LIVES. THEIR BOMBER CRASHED NEAR ALTWARMBÜCHEN IN GERMANY.