B-17 Bomber Crash

Memorial plaque on Cape Lookout

On August 1st, 1943, a B-17 flying fortress, doing a routine patrol mission out of Pendleton airfield, got lost in a heavy fog, and crashed on Cape Lookout. Parts of the bomber can still be seen today. One man survived that crash, the bombardier, and he still lives to tell the story today.

We tell this short piece of History during our Friday night campfire, but there is much more info that can be found on this, and soon you'll be able read as much info and other items that I can find.

The picture to the left is of the memorial plaque placed on Cape Lookout, and directly to the west of it, if you're lucky you can see some of the remains of the wreck.

Crew Of The B-17

• Pilot: Roy James Lee, 2nd LT
• Co-Pilot: Robert W. Wilkins, 2nd LT
• Navigator: Victor Alfred Lowenfeldt, 2nd LT
• Bombardier: Wilbur L. Perez, 2nd LT only survivor
• Aerial Eng. G: Delmar F Priest, S/SGT
• Assit Aerial Eng. G: William M. Pruner, SGT
• Radio Operator G: Benjamin J. Puzio, S/SGT
• Assit Radio Operator G: Paul W. Mandeville, SGT
• Armorer Gunner: Harry Liley, S/SGT
• Asst Arm G: Hoyt W. Wilson, S/SGT