Lt Reves was a member of the 319th Bomb Group, the 438th Bomb Squadron, (In the 57th Bomb Wing, the 12th Air Force) That flew out of Sardinia in B 26's (Later adapted to B-25's on Corsica, then went on the A-26's in the Pacific Theatre)

That fateful Day was 15 June, 1944, A practice mission out of the Base at Sardinia.

Pilot of the ship was the acting C. O. Art Riegel, he had completed 72 Combat Missions and was waiting to go home.

Herbey the names of Art Riegels crewmembers.

All buried Nettuno Temporary Cemetery. NOW in the

Name Rank ASN Origin Date of death Unit Grave on LAST INTERMENT

RIEGEL Arthur N Capt 0-668026 MO KIA 15 JUN 44 438 BS 319 BG Nettuno 3C-91-7561 MO

REEVES Clyde D 1Lt 0-559330 ALA KIA 15 JUN 44 438 BS 319 BG Nettuno 3C-91-7562 SICILY ROME A-9-27

CLARK Jr John C 1Lt 0-746299 N.J. KIA 15 JUN 44 438 BS 319 BG Nettuno 3C-91-7563 SICILY ROME E-10-49

PEMBERTON Jr B M Sgt 33090616 VA KIA 15 JUN 44 438 BS 319 BG Nettuno 3C-91-7564 VA Arlington NCm 12-4930

GLEISNER Robert A Pfc 13061979 PA KIA 15 JUN 44 438 BS 319 BG Nettuno 3C-91-7565 SICILY ROME I-6-41

CREW information compliments of Historical Researcher Gerrie Frankin.

319thBG,438thBS, Clyde D Reeves KIA 15 June, 1944

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION Clyde D. Reeves
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces Service # O-559330
438th Bomber Squadron, 319th Bomber Group, Medium
Entered the Service from: Alabama Died: 15-Jun-44
Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy
More on Clyde Reeves from The Dothan Eagle:(Alabama Newspaper)
Reeves Decorated Before His Death. Word has been received here that First Lieutenant Clyde D Reeves of Dothan, before his death in a plane crash June 15, in Sardinia, helped to earn the (DUC) distinguished unit ribbon after serving overseas for 13 months as squadron communications officer with a Bomb Group of B-26 Marauders which President Roosevelt twice cited for outstanding performance of duty in action.(REEVES was on board that day for "Flying Time".
Capt Arthur N Riegel was one very well-loved man. The Commanding Officer of the 438th Squadron of the 319th Bomb Group. "Art" had completed 72 Combat Missions in the B-26 Marauder "Lonesome Polecat" (Battle Number 41) Famous for her flying 101 Combat Sorties! C.O. Capt. Riegel was waiting to go home when a tragic and unforeseen accident took the lives of Art and his Crew of 5 men. On 15 June, 1944, it was a different B-26 "test hop", a "Buzz" job on the bathing beach at Cagliari Harbor in the Mediterranean. A common and fun activity….only 'high-noon' cast no shadow, he saw the concrete pole but pulled up too late and tipped the wing causing the ship to spin and explode. A sad and tragic loss, God Bless our brave men.

Placed 7 Aug.2009 by Barbi Ennis Connolly/ Stories and pictures from his proud son Robert Register/ Alabama

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 57th BW Researcher PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com _319th BG and 321st BG Historian in the 57th Bomb Wing._