For St Louis, Missouri, resident Tom Schulte, making the 4,000-mile trip to Canvey in honour of his hero uncle was one of the most important journeys of his life.
Tom and his wife Linda hopped on a plane and came to Canvey earlier this week in time for the 80th anniversary of the B17 bomber crash over Canvey.
The disaster occurred on June 19, 1944, when two American ‘Flying Fortress’ bomber planes collided over the estuary near Canvey on their way back to RAF Kimbolton in Cambridge.
The accident claimed the life of Tom’s uncle Louis Schulte.
Although Tom never even met his uncle as he was born after he died, he has spent years researching the history of the crash and is passionate about remembering his relative’s bravery.
“I didn’t really start looking into it all until after the death of my own father - who was Louis’ brother. I couldn’t believe what I found out,” said Tom, who also came to Canvey for the 75th anniversary of the B17 bomber collision.
“I never met my uncle but I still get emotional now thinking about what he - and all of the men in that crew - went through that day.
“We are grateful to everyone on Canvey for putting on a wonderful memorial service.”
Louis was one of three airmen who died after their ‘Heavenly Body II’ plane was hit by the other bomber, which had been damaged by enemy fire during a mission over France.
Tail gunner Louis, aged 24, managed to bale out but drowned upon landing. His body was found at Southend Pier.
Louis was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was originally buried at Madingley, Cambridge, before being repatriated to the USA. His grave is now within the grounds of the family home where Tom and Linda live near the city of St Louis.
Several years ago Tom was able to get in touch with Richard Andrews from New Jersey, a waist gunner who was serving with Louis that fateful day, but who managed to parachute out of the plane to safety.
He recalled: “I found out from Dick Andrews, who was one of the last survivors of the crash, that Louis had asked to switch places with him that day. You can’t help thinking what the outcome would have been if he hadn’t done that. We will never know.”
The aircraft that came down at Canvey Point claimed the lives of three crewman, including Schulte.
Eight other American servicemen died in the other B17 which hit the Heavenly Body II. That aircraft came down near Kent.
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