CREW SAVED AS PLANE CRASHES.

Sioux City, Ia. (AP) -- Five men, the entire crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress, parachuted to safety Tuesday afternoon when their plane, based at the Sioux City army air base, developed engine trouble, according to Lt. Col. George A. Blakey, base commandant.
The plane crashed into a hillside and burned three miles northwest of Emerson, Neb.
Quick thinking on the part of the pilot, 2nd Lt. WILLIAM M. SALMONS, who ordered the crew to bail out, saved the lives of his men, Colonel Blakey said.
Medical aid and fire-fighting equipment from the base were rushed to the scene but all the men were safe and were brought back to the base. The plane was on a combat training mission.
Other members of the crew were:
2nd Lt. GILBERT T. SAVAGE, co-pilot.
2nd Lt. EDWIN R. MEEKS, navigator.
Sgt. EDWIN R. ZISLER, engineer-gunner.
Sgt. LAWRENCE K. HAMIT, radio-operator-gunner.

The Nebraska State Journal Lincoln 1944-02-09
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!