US defense and Australian officials paid tribute Nov. 8 at the Australian Embassy in Washington to 40 US servicemen that were killed in a B-17 crash in Australia on June 14, 1943. Now featured on the grounds of the embassy is a granite memorial—with a base of Australian pink granite—listing the servicemen’s names. Bound for New Guinea, the B-17C crashed at Bakers Creek in Queensland shortly after takeoff, killing all but one aboard. The crash was kept secret during the war—and for many years afterwards—to prevent the Japanese who were threatening Australia from learning of American troop presence there. Robert Cutler, a George Washington University professor and executive director of the Bakers Creek Memorial Association, said the stone memorial would stay at the embassy until a permanent site is found, possibly at Arlington National Cemetery.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
