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A Bonac Airman Behind Enemy Lines

Staff Sgt. Harold Chapman was at the helm of a rapidly descending B-17 Flying Fortress. He was not a pilot. In fact, Chappie, as he was known, had just watched the pilot jump from the plane, his parachute failing to open. Hoping to avoid the pilot’s fate, Chappie was attempting to land the plane himself, according to his son, Rick Chapman of East Hampton. He was the last man aboard.