War Horse Memorial Page

<--- Lt. W. W. Dutt
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Navigator - War Horse
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Lt. Dutt was in his final year of college and destined for a bright future when he volunteered for military service. He was the middle child of 8 brothers and one sister( the youngest). The family were farm people in Pennsylvania eking out a living prior to the war. One older brother and one younger also enlisted in the service of their country. Elmer - the older brother - was killed-in-action in North Africa.

Woodrow Wilson Dutt - "Woody" - as he was called by family and Buddies - was a quiet fellow with compassion for his friends. A GREAT GUY ! Sorely missed by family and all Buddies on the War Horse Crew.

Lt. Dutt was wounded on his 15th combat mission - July 8, 1944 - and succumbed to his wounds in the hospital at Great Ashfield.

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This Page is Dedicated to Two Officers of The Crew of The War Horse That gave Their Lives In Service Of Their Country While Flying Combat Missions Out of Great Ashfield England - The Home Of The 385th Bomb Group - 549th Bomb Squadron - 1944. Lt. W.W. Dutt was wounded while flying his 15th combat mission and died in the hospital at Great Ashfield on July 9, 1944. (First photo on left) Lt. Roy M. Slaper was KIA on his 35th combat mission as the group bombed Berlin on October 6, 1944.(second photo on right)
		<--- Lt. W. W. Dutt ______________ Navigator - War Horse ____________________ Lt. Dutt was in his final year of college and destined for a bright future when he volunteered for military service. He was the middle child of 8 brothers and one sister( the youngest). The family were farm people in Pennsylvania eking out a living prior to the war. One older brother and one younger also enlisted in the service of their country. Elmer - the older brother - was killed-in-action in North Africa. Woodrow Wilson Dutt - "Woody" - as he was called by family and Buddies - was a quiet fellow with compassion for his friends. A GREAT GUY ! Sorely missed by family and all Buddies on the War Horse Crew. Lt. Dutt was wounded on his 15th combat mission - July 8, 1944 - and succumbed to his wounds in the hospital at Great Ashfield.
Lt. Roy M. Slaper ____________ Bombardier - War Horse---> _____________________ Lt. Roy Slaper hailed from his home town Buffalo New York. Young - quiet - actually sort of shy for an officer. He stood some six-foot six or so inches tall. His height and slim body made him stand out in a crowd. Never knew him to drink whiskey or chase after "Fast" Ladies. Lt. Slaper did date the young Lasses and when questioned if he "made-out" with his pretty dates he would always abruptly reply, "No ! She was a nice girl." If you can see it on the crew photo with the War Horse - there on his chin turret is painted the words, "Nice Girl." There is also a single photo of his chin turret showing flak damage and the wording concerning his constant embarrassing reply. Lt. Slaper was shot down -KIA - on his 35th and final tour of duty combat mission - over Berlin - October 6, 1944. _____________________________________________________________ Lt. Slaper and Sgt. Wolverton flew as replacement spares on a nine man crew on their last and final mission to complete a tour of duty of 35 combat missions. THE FINAL MISSION = The nine man B-17 crew flew in a bomber piloted by Lt. Courcelle. The B-17 was named "TEXAS BLUEBONNET" - and there is not a photo of the bomber available at the time of this writing Eight of the nine crew members were Killed-In-Action when the bomber was shot down by German fighters over Berlin. Sgt. Wolverton - although wounded - was the only crewmember able to escape through the fuselage waist door from the damaged bomber - parachuted to safety - and was taken POW by the Germans. Sgt Wolverton spent the remainder of the war in a German Stalag The total crew was listed as follow = Lucian. C. Courcelle - Pilot Frank R. Bullen - Co-Pilot Hubert J. Bivins - Navigator Roy M. Slaper - Bombardier Delbert L. Hamilton - Top Turret Gunner Ronald N. Leider - Radio Operator Jerry L. Weir - Ball Turret Gunner Robert P. Bozina - Tail Gunner Marvin B. Wolverton - Waist Gunner May these men be remembered for their duty to America and ultimate sacrifice for FREEDOM of future generations the world over. _________________________________________________________________________ Sgt. Wolverton was released at the end of hostilities and returned to the United States of America for necessary medical attention. It should be noted here = Sgt. Wolverton had served with the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Area prior to returning to the States after flying 50 combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star while flying in the Pacific. On return to the States he volunteered to join the crew of the War Horse. It was on his 85th combat mission his "LUCK" finally ran out ---and he was shot down ! ____________________________________________________________________________________