Piecing the puzzle

A turbo piece to a P-51 Mustang aircraft that belonged to the 335th Fighter Squadron was involved in a mid-air collision during World War II (WWII). Wings of Memory, an organization dedicated to recovering military aircraft remnants from WWII, recently excavated parts from the same P-51 in Belgium and will donate parts to the 335th FS, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, for historical preservation. (Courtesy Photo)

Piecing the puzzle

An emblem from a P-51 Mustang aircraft that belonged to the 335th Fighter Squadron was found at a crash site in Belgium. Wings of Memory excavated the aircraft which was involved in a mid-air collision during World War II, and plans to offer parts to the 335th FS, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, various museums and diverse restoration projects. (Courtesy Photo)

Piecing the puzzle

Published Dec. 10, 2013
By Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The P-51 Mustang aircraft was one of the most well-known fighters used by U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II (WWII). The Mustang served in nearly every combat zone during the war.

Wings of Memory, an organization dedicated to recovering crashed military aircraft remnants from WWII, recently excavated parts in Belgium from a P-51 Mustang aircraft that belonged to the 335th Fighter Squadron that is now housed here. The organization also donates aircraft artifacts found or excavated to various museums or diverse restoration projects, and have organized 25 salvages since 1997.

"I'm happy there are organizations like Wings of Memory that put forth this effort," said Maj. Kyle Meyer, 335th Fighter Squadron (FS) assistant director of operations (ADO). "I'm proud to serve in the United States Air Force, even though it's a relatively young branch of the military. It is so important to preserve relics from our past so future Airmen have actual reminders of where they came from and can take pride in our accomplishments."

Recently found artifacts from the two 335th P-51s, piloted by Capt. Carroll McElroy and 1st Lt. Robert Homuth, collided in a cloud over the Belgium coast while flying in a four-man formation.

"The 335th FS has roots dating back to 1941 as the Royal Air Force (RAF) 121st Squadron, composed of American volunteers, flying Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft out of England prior to the US entering World War II," said Lt. Col. Ernesto Divittorio, 334th FS ADO. "We still wear our RAF heritage patch on Fridays and most of our heritage is preserved in photos throughout our squadron headquarters. Artifacts recovered from a 335th FS aircraft flown during WWII make an excellent addition to our squadron and its proud heritage."

The recovery team plans to clean and distribute all of the artifacts found at the crash site. The 335th FS has first right to anything recovered, and anything not taken will be offered to museums and organizations in Belgium. Wings of Memory might also construct a memorial in honor of the fallen aircrew.

"Any items recovered and delivered to the 335th FS that are sturdy enough for display will be on exhibit in our Heritage Room and perhaps our leaderships' offices," said Divittorio. "There is also potential for some of the items to be displayed at other locations throughout the wing."