Source of information below: http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=5356

Sgt Edward J. Potkay, tail gunner of the B-17G-40-BO #42-97136, took off from Station 106 Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, UK on a bombing mission over a suspect Sottevast installation under construction after a 0400 briefing. The plane is one of 307 others that plan to drop 1261 tons of bombs. The plane successfully dropped its bombs on target but came under heavy flak fire at 1051, taking a direct hit on its left wing. This started a fire in the cockpit which spread rapidly to the rest of the fuselage. The plane started spiraling out of control before a violent explosion killed everyone on board. Their bodies were found around the Rocheville church. They were initially buried in the Cherbourg cemetery on April 29th 1944. Missing Air Crew Report #4350

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U. S. Army Service No. (ASN): #31326142

Enlistment Date: 03/01/1943

544th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group, Heavy

Edward J. Potkay is listed as Killed In Action in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for New London County, Connecticut.

Son of Roman Potkay and Marianna Grohocka Potkay.

Information below gleaned from https://www.myheritage.com/names/mary_potkay:

"... W. Buckler Funeral Home, 121 Main street, Westerly, April 23 at 2 P M. Interment in River Bend cemetery. Westera and friends Invited. Inte Edward J. Popkay, U. S army son of Roman and the Iate Mary Potkay of 38 Eastern avenue. New London, ln acton ln France, April 27, 3914. Aged 19 years. Funeral will be held from the Homestead Funeral Home, 285 street, on Thursday, April 22 at 8.15 A. M. Requiem ..."

Publication place: Hartford, Hartford County, CT, USA--Publication date: Apr 20 1948

***I would like to thank Frogman Find A Grave ID 47380828 for adding their photo to this memorial***

***I would like to thank Ellefson Find A Grave ID 47368288 for adding their photo and the information below in addition to updating birth location and middle name information on this memorial***

Missing in Action Pas de Calais 27/4/44 - B-17 #42-97136. CREW: Pilot: Herbert W. Small, Co-pilot: Roy J. Morris, Navigator: James E. McGee, Bombardier: John M. Sewack, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Richard D. Pirrello, Radio Operator: Marion L. Parker, Ball turret gunner: John B. Reynolds, Waist gunner: David E. George, Waist gunner: Russell H. Ulrich, Tail gunner: Edward J. Potkay (10 Killed in Action); flak on left wing, caught fire and spun in, crashed Le Pont Durand, two miles South of Rocheville, six miles West of Valognes, France; Missing Air Crew Report #4350. Contributor: Ellefson (47368288) •