Katy-Did marker dedication set August 16
Published 2:30 pm Tuesday, July 1, 2014
- This photo depicts a median section of Hwy. 157 in southwest Morgan County where a permanent marker will be placed on August 16 in memory of eight U.S. Army/Air Force officers and enlisted men who perished in the crash of a B-26-C bomber April 9, 1944. | Special to the Enquirer
The unveiling and dedication of a permanent marker in memory of the eight Army Air Corps servicemen who died in the crash of a B-26-C bomber in southwest Morgan County April 9, 1944, will be Sat., Aug. 16, at 1 p.m.
The marker is being provided by the Alabama Department of Tourism. It will be placed on the northern approach to Battleground Mountain, about one-half mile from the crash site.
State and local elected officials, members of veteran’s organizations, relatives of the WWII heroes and other interested citizens are expected to attend the ceremony.
The “Katy Did” crash attracted widespread attention and concern from many Morgan and Cullman County residents on that April Sunday more than 60 years ago. In fact, the crash site was visited by a number of local residents and some of them are able to recall memories of where they were, what they were doing and what they saw on that fateful day.
Over time, however, the accident was lost in obscurity until Dr. Herman Stringer of Hartselle launched a search for information about the crash about a year ago.
He collected pieces of the warplane’s wreckage from the crash site, interviewed families in the area and retrieved copies of official accident reports.
He reported his findings and made a public appeal for support to have a permanent marker placed in memory of the crash victims. in a story that was published in the Hartselle Enquirer four months ago.
His appeal reached receptive ears and he soon had support being offered by public officials, veterans and residents of the battleground community, Among those who got involved and helped move Stringer’s appeal to a successful conclusion were State Senator Arthur Orr, State Rep. Ed Henry and Lee Y. Greene Jr., a local engineer/surveyor and history enthusiast.
