Capt. William R. Wales.
Yes there is another dead hero in Marcouray ... in his sky .
OPERATION REPULSE : Ressuply units at Marcouray .
Hit after passing the DZ, the cockpit on fire. The situation is becoming very critical for aircraft C-47 BP-485346.
But , the pilot , Capt. William R. Wales made his choice...
to avoid the danger of a possible explosion that could have impacted neighboring aircraft, and to gain maximum altitude to give his crew a chance to jump out of the plane.
Attached , a part of the Missing Aircrew Report for this plane ,
Capt.Adonis , who was on another plane in the formation says:
" After pass the DZ .. he pull his plane to one side and up over the formation ... I saw 3 or 4 parachute ...
It was evident that a desperate attempt formation so as not to endanger the other planes and at the same time to give his crew a chance to bail out .... "
All his crew were able to jump, and no other aircraft was damaged by his.
William won't jump ....
This was the story of Capt. Wales' last flight on December 23, 1944.