The Hecox crews


Dibby (Harry Symmonds) and Chick (Charles Harisson) were 23 and 21. Harry flew 16 days in mission, was from a family of eight children. He became for his nephews and nieces the one who didn’t come back from the war. His fammily didn’t accept for a long time the fatality. « Chick », a good boxer, liked football and singing. He packed in everything to join the Canadian Air Force before 7th December 1941. His two brothers were enlisted too but in Pacific Theater Operation, their fate his unknow.
Two young faces symbol of the human mess which plunged into mourning a lot of families.



Crew member Prisoner of war


  • Herman Philbeck, Matricule 15043341.The only one to survive the mission, was on the May 29th flight as a replacement for radio operator, Edward Via., POW at Stalag XVII-B at Krems in Autriche. He died on 1997. Roger Symmonds got his account.
  • (1) Raymond Kaskey, member of Hecox's crews, he was not on the flight on May 29 - he was replaced by Joseph Tashjian.



    • Crew members killed in action


  • (2) Fred G. Snell, 35452643, from Mason Ohio, (Buried in St. James American cemetery in Normandy, France.) We searching his family
  • (3) Eugene Mc Coy, 35470766, from Dayton Ohio, (Buried in St. James American cemetery in Normandy, France) We searching his family
  • (4) Harry D. Symmonds, 37195169, Iowa (Buried in USA)
  • (5) George T. Coates, 16035138, from Dorchester C hicago Illinois, (Buried in St. James American cemetery in Normandy, France) We searching his family
  • (6) Max Hecox, 0-727989, California (Buried in St. James American cemetery in Normandy, France We searching his family.
  • (7) Charles Harisson, 0-664302, Pleasantville State of New-York (Buried in american Long Island N ational cimetery USA) We searching his family.
  • (8) Roland G. Mc Coy, 0-731524, Pennsylvania (Buried in USA) We searching his family
  • (9) Rolland V. Vanderhook, 0-793203, Nebraska (Buried in St. James American cemetery in Normandy, France) We searching his family.
  • Joseph G. Tashjain, 12060446, State of NEW-YORK, (Buried in USA) We searching his family.
  • Major Randoloh C Barthold, 0-430560, was an Eighth Air Force observer for the flight and was the unassigned eleventh crew member. (Buried in St. James American cemetery in Normandy, France) We searching his family.


    • Note:Edward Via (10) was not on the May 29th flight as he had been listed as missing while flying with another crew a few days earlier. We have now got in touch with Symmonds, Kaskey families and "Rod" Rawlinson . Roger Symmonds has been elected honourable chairman of our committee. Thanks to him, our knowledge about what happened on that sad day is significant.

    Help: We are still looking for other families. Thanks a lot for for helping us in our resarches.
    bas relief offered to Les Champs-Geraux community by Ray kasker jr., sculptor. The original work will be shown at the memorial of the second world war, near the White House in Washington."
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