08/20/2026
A recent visit to France by Chris DeMaise & his family along with 2 other members of Post 192 resulted in the pictured French news article, with the English translation below. This is but one example of how grateful the French are of the sacrifices the Americans made in liberating France in World War II. A visit to Normandy will expose you to more examples. Read on about this moving story regarding one of our own, as well as the sacrifices of our nation's military and how outcomes to families could have been dramatically different stemming from those sacrifices.
A Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of the "Princess Pat" Bomber
More than 80 years ago, on January 20, 1945, while returning from a bombing mission over Germany, an American B-17 Flying Fortress—the "Princess Pat"--crashed in Waldolwisheim [France] with its crew on board. On Sunday, August 9, an eight person American delegation led by Chris DeMaise--grandson of one of the crew members--visited the crash site, welcomed by local officials and Bernard Linder, a guardian of the town’s history.
Seeing the actual terrain and the precise plot of land where the fate of Chris DeMaise’s grandfather took a dramatic turn evoked a powerful emotional response, blending relief with a sense of duty to remember.
Accompanied by the American delegation, DeMaise visited Waldolwisheim on August 19--the village where the American bomber "Princess Pat" had crashed on its return from a mission on January 20. 1945. “1 am walking on the ground where my grandfather survived, but also where his comrade-in-arms, Thomas Eason, sacrificed his life." stated the descendant of Victor DeMaise, the B-17's radio operator.
For Chris DeMaise and his family, this trip was not merely a sightseeing tour, but a true pilgrimage. It was an opportunity to attach words and images to the memory of the courageous man that was Victor DeMaise.
A moving tribute was paid at the spot where Thomas Eason lost his life. Photo: Jean-Charles Fischer
“1 would like to thank the residents of the municipality for protecting and supporting my grandfather. Without your community, I would not be here today, and my family would not exist.” said the grandson. The day was marked by a moment of reflection and the laying of a wreath at the exact spot where Thomas Eason—the B-l7’s waist gunner--tragically lost his life on January 20. 1945. He died after parachuting at low altitude prior to the crash-landing of the “Princess Pat" on the Steinberg in Waldolwisheim. A solemn tribute was paid to him in Steinbourg, attended by local officials, Muriel Schwab (President of •Le Souvenir Francais•), flag-bearer Andre Schneider, and Thomas and Regine Oiebolt with their Jeep, “Scarlett.”
Following the national anthems and a song joined in by the crowd, Bernard Linder--a local history enthusiast and a true living repository of memories regarding this event--recounted in detail the chronology of that day, January 20. 1945. He described the heroic decision made by the B-17 pilot and the tragic fate of Thomas Eason. Fifty years after the tragedy, the shared act of remembrance by residents, officials, delegations, and the American descendants of the crew demonstrated that this chapter of shared history remains a living, fraternal bond.
Chrissy Schultes DeMaiseEmlyne ForrenJohn Forren
