78 years since 25 men returning home from WWII killed in Mt. Tom B-17 crash

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Tuesday marked 78 years since 25 brave young men from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Air Corps, U.S. Public Health Service and American Red Cross lost their lives returning home to Westover Air Reserve Base from World War II, when their B-17 crashed into the side of Mt Tom in Holyoke.

Each year in July, the B-17 Memorial Committee holds a remembrance ceremony at the B-17 memorial monument to honor both the men who lost their lives in the crash, and those who make the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country.

“When we built this monument in 1996, the 50th anniversary of the crash, we wanted to commemorate the loss of these 25 young men, and what we didn’t realize was that how much of an emotional nerve with the community and with the families,” said Board Member Rick Lee.

Lee told 22News although none of them local, family members of those who lost their lives that July 9, 1946 come to Mt. Tom from all over the country every year to gather at the memorial.

“I think the people that are there are having a bittersweet emotional experience, it’s a very powerful thing. It feels good but at the same time it feels a touch sad because these young men were flying home after serving our country, they had family waiting for them, they were mostly in their teens and early twenties, they never made it home, they never lived their lives,” said Lee.

This year’s ceremony will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. and includes a fly-by by a Coast Guard HC144 Ocean Sentry Aircraft from Cape Cod. Lee and the committee are inviting the public to honor these men and their sacrifice. Free transportation to the site is provided on the day of remembrance along with seating, shade, water, and personal facilities. Organizers do ask that attendees arrive at 8:30 a.m. to allow time to shuttle to the site.

The memorial is on the southeast side of Mt. Tom approximately 300 feet below the summit, and visitors should note that a hike is generally required to visit the site, since vehicle access is restricted.

“I think people will enjoy being there. It’s a fulfilling experience and heart touching. It’s a very emotionally touching experience,” said Lee.

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