USA MEMORIAL DAY SPEECH 2026

Good afternoon, everyone. Today we gather at this memorial on the site of the former Holmsley South Airfield, to remember the brave Americans who gave their lives for our nation. We use this opportunity to honour their sacrifice in the spirit of the shared history and friendship of our countries over many, many years.

Between 1942 and 1944 it is estimated 30,000 US airmen flew from the Airfields of the New Forest. These airfields include Christchurch, Ibsley, Hurn, Beaulieu, Stoney Cross, Bisterne, Lymington, Winkton and from here Holmsley South. They flew fighters such as the P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-38 Lightning.

They also flew bombers such as the B-26 Marauder and B-24 Liberator. One of these bombers the B-26 Marauder equipped the 394^th Bomber group.

This bomber group was based here at Holmsley South in August 1944.

I wish to use the story of one of their pilots 25 year old Captain Darrell Lindsey to illustrate the reason we are here today.

On May 30, 1945, Captain Lindsey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the only Marauder crew member honoured as such in World War II.

This award was presented to his widow Evalyn Scott Lindsay Rhinehart on August 9, 1945, by General Robert B. Williams. I will know read a slightly abridged version of his citation.

“On 9 August 1944, Capt. Lindsey led a formation of 30 B-26 bombers from Holmsley South bombs in a hazardous mission to destroy a strategic enemy railroad bridge over the Seine in occupied France.

With most of the bridges over the Seine destroyed, this heavily fortified bridge was of great value to the enemy in moving troops, supplies, and equipment to Paris.

Capt. Lindsey was fully aware of the fierce resistance that would be encountered.

Shortly after reaching enemy territory the formation was buffeted with heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire. By skilful evasive action, Capt. Lindsey was able to elude much of the enemy flak, but just before entering the bombing run his B-26 was peppered with holes.

During the bombing run the enemy fire was even more intense, and Capt. Lindsey’s right engine received a direct hit and burst into flames.

Despite the fact that his ship was hurled out of formation by the violence of the concussion, Capt. Lindsey brilliantly manoeuvred back into the lead position without disrupting the flight.

Fully aware that the gasoline tanks might explode at any moment, Capt. Lindsey gallantly elected to continue the perilous bombing run. With fire streaming from his right engine and his right wing half enveloped in flames, he led his formation over the target upon which the bombs were dropped with telling effect.

Immediately after the objective was attacked, Capt. Lindsey gave the order for the crew to parachute from the doomed aircraft. With magnificent coolness and superb pilotage, and without regard for his own life, he held the swiftly descending airplane, in a steady glide until the members of the crew could jump to safety.

With the right wing completely enveloped in flames and an explosion of the gasoline tank imminent, Capt. Lindsey still remained unperturbed.

The last man to leave the stricken plane was the bombardier, who offered to lower the wheels so that Capt. Lindsey might escape from the nose. Realizing that this might throw the aircraft into an uncontrollable spin and jeopardize the bombardier’s chances to escape, Capt. Lindsey refused the offer. Immediately after the bombardier had bailed out, and before Capt. Lindsey was able to follow, the right gasoline tank exploded. The aircraft sheathed in fire, went into a steep dive and was seen to explode as it crashed.

All who are living today from this plane owe their lives to the fact that Capt. Lindsey remained cool and showed supreme courage in this emergency.”

As Congressman James I. Dolliver who delivered an address at this occasion, stated

‘Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’

The congressional Medal of Honor is awarded as is our Victorian Cross to people who perform a task “above and beyond the call of duty.”

This was one of these people.

It could be said for him completing the mission came first, the safety of his crew second and his own survival last.

Thank you for attending and may we never forget the sacrifice of all who flew from these airfields never to return.

Also, we honour this giving of their life’s by living lives worthy of their sacrifice.

I will know play Taps followed by a minute’s silence for us to remember those who gave their lives.