Chêne Major Henry Shurlds

Amidst the tranquil Verneuil-sur-Seine Regional Forest stands a silent testament to a life cut short: the Chêne Major Henry Shurlds. This unassuming oak tree marks the spot where American pilot Major Henry William “Son” Shurlds Jr. met his tragic end. Chêne Major Henry Shurlds isn’t just a tree. It’s a living memorial, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II. Major Shurlds, a skilled pilot with the 513th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group, took to the skies on August 19, 1944. His mission: an armed reconnaissance over the Seine, between Rouen and Paris. He flew his P-47 Thunderbolt, coded 42-26938, from A-14 in Cretteville. High above the French countryside, Shurlds was engaged by a German Me-109. The enemy fire found its mark. Shurlds’s plane exploded in mid-air, bringing his mission, and his life, to a sudden, fiery end. The Chêne Major Henry Shurlds stands as a solemn marker of this event. It whispers a story of courage, duty, and the devastating cost of war. Major Shurlds’s bravery is further commemorated by the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Purple Heart. While his remains rest in the Normandy American Cemetery, this simple oak, the Chêne Major Henry Shurlds, serves as a tangible link to the place where he made his ultimate sacrifice. This quiet memorial in the Verneuil-sur-Seine Regional Forest offers a space for reflection, a place to remember Major Shurlds and the countless others who lost their lives during the conflict. The Chêne Major Henry Shurlds serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring impact of war on individuals, families, and nations.