2 Lt Sidney P. Brooks O 789118

He had enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces. Entered the service via Regular Military. Served during World War II. Brooks had the rank of Second Lieutenant. His military occupation or specialty was Pilot. Service number assignment was O-789118. Attached to 33rd Fighter Group, 99th Fighter Squadron. During his service in World War II, Army Air Forces Second Lieutenant Brooks experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on September 19, 1943. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Non Hostile, Air Crash, Died of wounds or injuries. Incident location: Italy.

Member of the Tuskegee Airmen. He enlisted in the USAAF in 1941, and received his commission at Tuskegee in 1942. He was a graduate of Central High School in Cleveland where he was a football star. At the time of his enlistment he was a junior at Ohio State University.

On Sep 17, 1943 he took off on a mission but soon had engine trouble and returned to land; but visibility was terrible and he decided to do a belly landing. Unfortunately, he forgot to jettison his belly tank, which sheared off and left a trail of fuel which caught fire and engulfed the aircraft. He jumped out with his flight suit in flames which his pals soon put out. He was jovial even though his hands had been burned. He was taken to a British hospital where he died of secondary shock and smoke inhalation.

https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=323437

Sidney P Brooks