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World War II Honoree

Killed in World War II

Arthur Cyril Naylor

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Essex County, Massachusetts

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ON 4 NOVEMBER 1942. SERVED AS A PILOT ONBOARD A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS NICKNAMED THE 'WAR HORSE' ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 385TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 551ST BOMB SQUADRON, AT ROYAL AIR FORCE GREAT ASHFIELD NEAR SUFFOLK, ENGLAND. HE WAS THE LAST PILOT ON THE WAR HORSE'S FINAL COMBAT MISSION. WITH THE B-17 IN FLAMES, HE ORDERED THE CREW TO BAIL-OUT. THE CO-PILOT AND EIGHT OTHER CREWMEMBERS PARACHUTED FROM THE BOMBER, WHILE HE BECAME TRAPPED AND PERISHED IN A FIERY CRASH AS THE B-17 BOMBER EXPLODED DURING IT'S FINAL COMBAT MISSION ON 11 NOVEMBER 1944 NEAR EASTON, ENGLAND.