Between September and November of 2003 Danny Keay and his team excavated two WW2 planes. One P-47 Thunderbolt in Griesheim, Germany and a P-51 Mustang in Trebur, Germany. The P-47 pilot was killed in action and buried in France, but they still found remains. The Mustang pilot bailed out, but they didn't know that at the time of the dig. They found large human remains and think they belong to either a lynched airman, or a soldier that was KIA during Patton's advance in March of 1945. The Stars and Stripes did an article featuring Danny. You can view it by clicking on the link below.

Army staff sergeant digs WWII crash sites

This link will take you to a story about Danny and the recovery of Major Chester Slingerland's plane and part of his remains in July of 2003. Danny has asked me to help researchers in Germany locate Chester's relatives. This is the Major's story.

Major Chester Slingerland was in the 393rd Fighter Squadron and 367th Fighter Group. He was commanding officer of the 393rd when he was shot down and killed by ground fire on a mission near Griesheim, Germany. Slingerland was killed on March 23, 1945. He was flying a P-47 and his serial number was O-660824. He entered the service from Illinois and is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France, Plot K, Row 29 and Grave 18. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.

Slingerland was providing close-air support for the 3rd Army under Gen. George S. Patton when his P-47 was shot down. He was originally buried by the German AA gunners who shot him down. At that time the Americans were less then 5 miles away and the Germans were under constant attack. Considering the Major blew up one of the German guns and the gun crew it's a miracle they buried him at all. His remains were recovered by U.S. forces a few days later and eventually interned in St. Avold. But those were partial remains. Under the engine block Danny's team found parts of an arm, skull and jawbone that, if they belong to Slingerland, might someday join the rest of his remains.

We have been trying to find Major Slingerland's family for some time now. He enlisted in Illinois but his wingman thought he was actually from Texas. I have called all over that area and have been unable to locate anyone who knows anything about him. Danny and others are going to open a memorial for Major Slingerland and they need more information - photographs, his biography, etc. If anyone has any information on Major Chester Slingerland or can put us in touch with a member of his family please email us. (See below.)

Danny at work - 2005
Danny is on the far left.

Danny on the dig for Slingerland's a/c
Griesheim, Germany - 2003

Family has been contacted.

Paul W. Mazal's Body Recovered