Picauville

While on a supply mission, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing in a field located some 30 km south of Cherbourg. All seven occupants were taken POW. The reason of the occurrence remains unknown.

The Dakota was involved in a paratroopers mission and was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy. While cruising by night some 35 km south of Cherbourg, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located near Picauville. All 20 occupants were killed.
Crew (91st Transport Squadron):
2nd Lt Marston F. Sargent,
F/O Steve C. Baran,
T/Sgt Walter F. Gendron,
S/Sgt Melvin B. Shullanberger.
Paratroopers (501st Parachute Infantry Division):
1st Lt Kenneth A. Beatty,
Sgt Colin Campbel,
Sgt Roy H. Speake,
T/5 John D. Hall,
T/5 John L. Davis,
Cpl Eugene E. Middleton,
Pvt Jay E. Cheel,
Pvt Augustine Gonzales,
Pvt James D. King,
Pvt Salvatore Laferrera,
Pvt Luther F. Morrison,
Pvt Benjamin Winn,
Pvt Hugh F. Williams,
Pfc Frederick J. Feneran,
Pfc Robert J. Hensel,
Pfc Robert M. Naimola.