Eyewitness Statement

James Robert Lovelace
Lt. Leyes aircraft was flying in the Second Squadron. Immediately after "Bombs Away" an accurate burst of flak struck the right wing, instantly flames started to show from the right fuel tanks. The aircraft immediately fell out of formation making a sharp turn to the left and broke into a spin. The flames did not go out during the spin and the aircraft exploded when it hit the ground. I saw two (2) parachutes leave the aircraft, however, at extremely low altitude.