Lt Meehan, Band of Brothers: The D-Day Crash That Killed Easy Company's Commander

What happened to Lt Meehan? Thomas Meehan III led Easy Company, 101st Airborne, into Normandy on D-Day. Around 01:12 on 6 June 1944, his C-47 troop transport, chalk 66, was shot down over Beuzeville-au-Plain, killing all aboard. The crash site is marked by a memorial and can be visited today.

Thomas Meehan was born on July 8, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, enlisting in the U.S. Army after the outbreak of WW2. Rising through the ranks earning the rank of Lieutenant by the time of the Normandy Invasion.

After arriving in the UK for the build up for the invasion of Normandy Lieutenant Meehan was initially a platoon leader for B (Baker) Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He would later become the commanding officer of E (Easy) Company after replacing Lieutenant Herbert Sobel, who had been transferred to command a parachute training school for non-combat officers as depicted in the series "Band of Brothers."

No. Thomas Meehan III was a First Lieutenant, not a captain, and held that rank for his entire service, including at the time of his death on D-Day. He never had the chance to be promoted as he was killed within hours of the invasion beginning.

The confusion likely comes from the show itself: in HBO's Band of Brothers, Meehan is played by Irish actor Jason O'Mara, appearing only in the opening episodes before his character is killed in the crash. Easy Company's better-remembered commander, Dick Winters, does go on to make captain later in the series, and it's an easy mix-up to flatten every "Company CO" into that same rank in memory.

On June 5, 1944, Lieutenant Meehan and the men of Easy Company departed from Upottery Airfield in Devon, England. Upottery was one of several airfields used by the Allied forces for the D-Day operations. It played a critical role in launching the airborne assault, housing C-47 aircraft that would carry the paratroopers to Normandy. The airfield was bustling with activity as soldiers prepared for the imminent invasion. Meehan’s departure from Upottery marked the beginning of his final mission, as he and his men embarked on their journey across the English Channel towards their drop zones in Normandy.

Today located in one of the airfields original Nissen huts there is a heritage centre run by the South West Airfields Heritage Trust which tells the story of the airfield and the men who departed from it for the Invasion of Normandy, including some panels on Lieutenant Meehan and the crash of the aircraft he was travelling in.

Lt Meehan is featured on a memorial located on the airfield's last remaining original WW2 guard post honouring all those who departed from the airfield on the 5th and 7th of June and were killed in transit. These men were from the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division and the 439th Troop Carrier Group USSAF.

On the 5th June 1944 Lt Meehan and 16 of his fellow comrades and the 5 man crew boarded their Douglas C-47 No.66 (42-93095) of the 12th stick. Shortly before boarding Lieutenant Meehan handed a letter to one of the air force guys to be delivered to his wife.

“Dearest Anne, In a few hours I’m going to take the best company of men in the world into France. We’ll give the bastards hell. Strangely, I’m not particularly scared. But in my heart is a terrific longing to hold you in my arms. I love you Sweetheart - forever. Your Tom”

While flying over Normandy through heavy flak towards drop zone C, the C-47 he was travelling in was hit by German anti-aircraft fire. The pilots attempted to land the aircraft in a field near Beuzeville-au-Plain a small town 2 miles NorthEast of Saint-Mere-Eglise. But burst into flames after clipping a hedge killing all those on board. The plane burned continuously for 3 days, with heat so intense that any approach was not possible.

45 years after the crash the site was excavated, some of the artefacts from the excavation can now be seen on display at Dead Man’s Corner Museum including dog tags, rings and a watch which had stopped at the time of the crash, 01:12.

Among the items recovered were the parachute hooks, which were all still locked proving that none of the paratroopers escaped from the plane before it crashed.

Crew of the C-47, 439th Troop Carrier Group

Paratroopers, 506th PIR

The memorial stands at 49.431286, -1.285761 — D17 (L'Église),Beuzeville-au-Plain, Manche 50480 — with free parking on site. It lists all 22 men lost aboard Chalk 66: the five-man aircrew of the 439th Troop Carrier Group and the 17 paratroopers of Easy Company, 506th PIR. There's no set opening hours as it's an outdoor memorial, accessible year-round.

More information on visiting can be found on the memorial page: Lieutenant Meehan's C-47 Crash Site Memorial

Following the crash and the death of Lieutenant Meehan, Easy Company's commander, the men of Easy Company served under Lieutenant Winters as depicted in the series Band of Brothers Episode 2: Day of Days. In this episode Easy Company are tasked with clearing 4 guns near Brecourt Manor, to the corner of this field there is now a memorial to the men of Easy Company including Lieutenant Meehan.

Lieutenant Meehan was officially listed as missing in action until the wreckage of his C-47 was re-discovered in 1952 where he was repatriated back to the United States; he is now buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.

Was Lt Meehan's body ever found?

Yes. His remains were recovered and formally buried in a 1952 group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri (Plot 84),alongside others lost in the same crash. The wreck itself wasn't excavated until decades later, in 1989, when personal effects and aircraft parts were recovered and are now displayed at Dead Man's Corner Museum.

What happened to Lt Meehan in Band of Brothers?

His C-47, call sign "chalk 66," was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire over Beuzeville-au-Plain in the early hours of 6 June 1944, D-Day. Everyone aboard was killed, including Meehan, who commanded Easy Company, 506th PIR.

Where is Thomas Meehan buried?

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri — Plot 84, part of a 1952 group burial with other men recovered from the same crash.

Was Meehan a captain or a lieutenant?

A First Lieutenant. He held that rank for his entire service, including at the time of his death, and was never promoted to captain.

Who took over Easy Company after Meehan's death?

First Lieutenant Dick Winters took command and led Easy Company through Normandy and the rest of the war, eventually reaching the rank of captain.

Can you visit the crash site?

Yes. A memorial at Beuzeville-au-Plain marks the site and lists all 22 men lost aboard Chalk 66; see Visiting the Crash Site Today above for coordinates and direction

Phil – creator of Normandy War Guide
I started the site more than a decade ago after my first trip to Normandy and have been hooked ever since. I visit a few times each year to explore new sites and update the guide. Over the years I've also transcribed thousands of WWII war diaries and scanned original maps to keep this history accessible for everyone.