Willard R. Beaumont.

2nd Lt. Willard R. Beaumont served as co-pilot aboard a 93rd Bomb Group, 330th Squadron B-24 that crash-landed approximately 30 miles west of Bucharest, Romania on August 1, 1944. A tool designer by civilian occupation from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he had served approximately 2 years and 7 months and held the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was wounded in the crash, sustaining 20mm cannon fragments in his left leg, burns on both legs, and a cut over his right eye.

After the crash, Beaumont was taken to a hospital together with the pilot, Lt. Teltser. He remained in Romania and was eventually repatriated through Italy, signing a security certificate at the 22nd Replacement Center in Bari on August 31, 1944.

Beaumont departed Bari by air on September 5, 1944, arrived at Gibraltar on September 6, and continued to the United Kingdom. Beaumont spoke a little French and some Romanian. His escape aids were largely lost: his aids box was destroyed in the crash, and his purse, maps, and currency (including $10 American, 500 Lei, and one gold sovereign Egyptian) were taken by Romanians.

Beaumont had been lectured on evasion and escape at the 93rd Bomb Group in June 1944. His account is preserved in E&E Report No. 1615.