Arl Benjamin Cross was born July 18, 1925 to Roy Lee & Allie Maude Mathis Cross. in Sebastian County, Ar. He completed 3 years of high school. On 18 Nov 1943 Arl enlisted in the Army Air Corp serving with the 95th Bomb Group as a waist gunner and S/Sgt. He flew 25 missions on a B-17G with the same pilot. On the 25th mission. March 23, 1945 their plane went down after a collision with another plane flying with them. Out of the 10 crew member 6 were killed. S/Sgt Cross survived. They were only 1 Mile West of Airfield, Grottaglie, Italy. All the missions they flew were over Germany. HERE you can see a list of their missions and crew on each mission. Over the time they served the B-17Gs they flew were named "Pretty Baby", "Go Getter", "New York Express", "Spook Six", "Heavy Date", "Flak Evader" and others. S/Sgt. Cross' highest rank achived was Sergeant (Technician Fourth Grade). He served from Nov 30, 1944 to Mar 23, 1945. When he returned from the war on the 24th of June in Sebastian Co., Ar. he married Doris Nadine Copeland from Mansfield, Sebastian Co., Ar. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ from Find A Grave Arl B. Cross, 93, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on March 18, 2019. He was born July 18, 1925 in the Palestine Community near Greenwood to Roy Cross and Maude Spessard Cross. Arl was a Sargent in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He was a member of the 95th Bomb Group Association. He loved to fly, read his bible and spend time with his family. Arl was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clohie Cross and John Cross; one sister, Bonnie Cross; and one grandson, Jasper Burns. He is survived by his wife Doris; one son, Greg Cross and wife Susie of Barling; one daughter, Debby Hobbs of Fort Smith; one sister, Royce Coleman of Fort Smith; five grandchildren, Pete Hobbs, Katy Kehler, Ben Hobbs, Michelle Childers and husband Shedon, and Kevin Burns; five great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Service will be Monday, March 25, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home chapel. Arrangements entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.

385th Bomber Group Emblem