While hiking near Gunnison and exploring the fall colors, I was able to take time to explore the memorial and adjacent World War II B-24 crash site. The memorial is located on a pull off near the river, while the actual crash site high up the hillside on the east side of the road.
The following link provides some details for a number of crash sites in Colorado: Plane crashes on Colorado’s trails: The horrors, histories, and — now — hikes
Additional details from this crash provided by the following article: Historic Sites | Gunnison County, CO – Official Website
The B-24 crashed at the site at about 1145 hours on 19 July 1943. A small clearing in the forest marks the location of the airplane impact. Remains of the bomber are currently located within a 200 foot diameter area at 9008 feet elevation.
All ten members of the crew and one passenger, perished in the crash and their bodies were badly burned by the ensuing fire. The B-24 Crash Site is considered a funerary site; the crash severity and fire resulted in partial interment of the body of one or more crew members. A 50th Anniversary Memorial Service was held at the crash site at 1150 a.m. on 19 July 1993…the service was full military ceremony and about 75 people attended, including family members of those deceased. A bronze marker is now affixed at the site to a granite rock on which the port main strut of the crashed B-24 rests.
