B 24 Bomber Crash Site Memorial Project on the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Mountian Branch

B 24 Bomber Crash Site Memorial Project on the Santa Fe Trail

B-24 bomber crash site on the Santa Fe Trail Mountain Branch

On August 21, 1944 a formation of B-24 Liberator heavy bombers based at Pueblo passed over Trinidad practicing formation flying. South of town the formation turned and headed back in a northerly direction. In the vicinity of the town of Model, two bombers collided in mid-air. One bomber broke into several large segments and fell on both sides of Highway 350 just north of Model at mile marker 15. The crew of nine men died in the collision or upon impact with the ground. The second bomber plunged into the ground about 3/4 mile to the northeast, killing nine men. One man from this aircraft managed to parachute to safety, the sole survivor.

The deaths of 18 men in this accident made this the greatest loss of life suffered in any single aviation accident in the State of Colorado during the years of World War II. Little remains visible today to remind anyone of the terrible loss of life suffered that date in 1944. At right is the crash site.

Bronze Memorial Plaque to be placed at crash site!

A plan is underway to place a bronze memorial plaque to remind all of the cost of defending our county, a price being exacted even today. Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway- Mountain Branch along with the Trinidad Historical Society are teaming up with Larry E. Carpenter of Estes Park Colorado to place the plaque just north of Model Colorado at mile marker 15, Highway 350.

The current wayside exhibit has a parking area and Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway interpretive signage. We are pleased to add this educational and historically important bronze marker to our most valued prairies and plains.

Many are in awe of our Trail's historic treasures and untold stories. Projects such as this will open many new opportunities for Santa Fe Trail travelers to learn to appreciate our area history and the brave soldiers who have died so tragically for our country.

Search for family survivors to attend dedication ceremony

Search Update- located two more families of the nineteen...7 to go.

Efforts are underway to locate surviving family members of all the crewmen. For information please contact Larry Carpenter at 1141 Holiday Lane, Estes Park, CO , or email him at . PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES signed by President Bush will be presented to each of the families. Air Force or Air National Guard flyover is going to be scheduled for August 21st, 2004. The High Frontier Honor Guard from Peterson Air Force Base will do the color guard duties and fire the 21-gun salute. Fox News will have a photojournalist there to cover the event. A dinner the evening before the dedication on August 20th is being planned and a luncheon after the cermony will be held both in Trinidad. For reservations email Larry Carpenter at above address.

Funding and support for this project paid in part by:

MODEL, CO B-24 MEMORIAL FUND, Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway & Trinidad Historical Society, & Larry Carpenter

An account has been established at: WESTSTAR BANK, P.O. Box 2270, Estes Park, CO 80517 for contributions to the memorial fund. Checks may be sent either directly to Larry Carpenter, 1141 Holiday Lane, Estes Park, CO or to the bank made out to: MODEL, CO B-24 MEMORIAL FUND. (If the contributor wishes to make the donation in a person's memory please so specify.)

Crew Roster Listed alphabetically

2nd Lt. Adams, Frank W., Jr., Houston, PA.

Capt. Brock, Royal J., Columbus, OH.

2nd Lt. Clark, Clair A., Cowansville, PA.,

*2nd Lt. Clark, Robert S., Augusta, KS.

Pfc. Crawford, Malcolm M., Savannah, GA

Cpl. Forester, Boyce E., Athens, TX.

2nd Lt. Gates, Claire E., Greene, IA

Cpl. Hartman, Joseph L. Jr., Chicago, IL.

2nd Lt. Jenkins, Horace M., Cheyenne, WY.

Pfc. Joyce, William C., Jr., Medford, MA.

Pfc. Kaplan, Morton, Brooklyn, NY.

Pfc. Killinger, Luther C., Charleston, WV.

Cpl. Miller, Carl E., Canton, OH.

Cpl. O'Donahue, Francis J., Brooklyn, NY.

Cpl. Powell, William A., Jr., Chicopee, GA.

Pfc. Riccio, Daniel J., Hartford, CT

FO Robbins, William J., Cincinnati, OH.

Cpl. Rogove, Herbert J., Philadelphia, PA.

T/Sgt. Sermon, Albert J., Providence, RI., * Only survivor-now deceased.

Another B-24 crashed on Mesa de Maya June 29, 1944 killing tne men. The aircraft was off course when it flew into Seven L. Buttes on a nighttime training flight. A BT-13 crash killed one man in June 1942 when it flew into the mesa. Still another B-24 crash claimed eight lives when it hit a mountain near Monument Lake in 1943. Las Animas County had a number of fatalities due to air crashes during WWII.

The author of this prayer was a sister of 2nd Lt. John Franklin (Frank) Kime, Liberty, NC. He was killed in the crash of a B-24 Liberator bomber in a field in eastern Colorado, July 28, 1943.

ODE TO (LT.) FRANKLIN KIME

Oh Lord; please hear my lonely plea
And lend a helping hand to me.
I have a grief too great by far
To bear alone.
They say You are mindful of a sparrow's fall
I ask that You will heed my call.
I had a brother, brave and true.
Lord, is he happy there with You?
And do You let him use his wings?
They were so new,
Such hard won things.
He wore them proudly on his breast.
Did wings so soon then need a rest
Why do I grieve?
I miss him so!
I can't believe he wished to go.
His life on earth had just begun.
Please see that he has friends and fun.
And let him soar his heart's desire
On wings that never, never tire.
For each lonely, weeping, Mother's son
Whose are destroying, grievous tide
Has sent to dwell at Your right side.
I ask your most special care
Help us below the cross to bear.

Rebekah Kime Davis, Feb. 2, 1944