[aaatripp]

Once again we remember this tough day in the history of the Fighting Cobras of the 353rd Fighter Group. With many missions this busy day at ALG #2 near Cricqueville, France, there were numerous sorties from morning to late afternoon.

On the morning mission Maj. Don Beerbower's FT-E "Bonnie B II" was hit by accurated groundfire as he made a 2nd pass to draw fire away from the rest of his squadron mates at a German airfield near Reims. Don's 'chute never opened and his stunning record in the air came to a tragic end at 15 1/2 aerial victories.

His tentmate and OPSO in the 353FG was Bud Emmer who was out to inflict some payback on the German Luftwaffe. While returning from his afternoon armed recce sweep near Rouen, France, Bud's FT-G "Arson's Reward" was hit by an 88mm AAA shell and his P-51D burst into flames. Bud got out of the a/c but was badly burned and died late, on 15 Feb 45 while a POW at Dulag Luft Wetzlar.

The 3rd CO of the 353FS on that fateful day of 9 Aug 44 was Mike Rogers who was credited with 7 kills and returned from the ETO. Mike retired from the USAF as a 4-star general and lives in California.
We remember our dedicated fighting airmen who gave so much for our freedom.....!

'Lest We forget....

Tripp