2nd Lt Herman C. “Jack” Carey Memorial in rural Scotland

A new monument honoring a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot from Knoxville, Tennessee, was unveiled on Wednesday during a stormy outdoor ceremony in southwest Scotland.

The memorial commemorates 2nd Lt Herman C. “Jack” Carey, who was killed at age 29 when his P-47D Thunderbolt crashed in farmland near the village of Howwood on December 28, 1943.
The site is located in a remote area of the Gleniffer Braes, a stretch of open hills and farmland outside the town of Paisley, about 15 miles from Glasgow.

Wreath layers included the Renfrewshire Provost, local councillors, and members of Howwood Community Council

The new stone was unveiled by Lorraine Cameron, the Provost of Renfrewshire — a role similar to a county civic leader or mayor. The ceremony included a piper, an outdoor religious service led by Baptist minister Rev Ian Miller, and the playing of Taps by bugler Alison Baxter. Standing behind the memorial throughout the ceremony were cadets from 1701 (Johnstone) Squadron of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, the UK’s youth military aviation organization.

Attendees included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant (a representative of the British monarch), local elected officials and members of Howwood Community Council. Among them was Dave Cooper, who has led efforts over the past three years to research Lt Carey, contact relatives in the United States and replace the original damaged memorial.

Allison Baxter playing the Last Post at the memorial service

Lt Carey was born in Knoxville on January 23, 1914 and served in the 311th Ferry Command, 27th Air Transport Group during World War II. On the morning of December 28, 1943, he took off from Renfrew Airport — then a military airfield near Glasgow — to deliver his aircraft to Burtonwood Air Base in England. Around 20 minutes after takeoff, flying in low cloud and mist, the plane struck trees and crashed. He was the only person on board.

His body was later returned to Tennessee and he is buried at Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville.

The original memorial at the crash site was placed in 2003 after local resident and former RAF firefighter Bill Kerr discovered signs of the crash while flying model aircraft nearby. That stone was later vandalized and broken, but parts were recovered by local farmer David Jamieson and his son Alan.

Over the past three years, Howwood Community Council has worked to replace the memorial, preserve Lt Carey’s history and make contact with his relatives in the United States. Two family members have been reached.

A relative said: “Jack was always held close to the hearts of his parents and siblings. They would be grateful that their beloved Jack is remembered and honoured by the residents of the far away place where he died. As an American, I am deeply touched by this honour to a young American pilot who was unknown to anyone there but is remembered as representing his country in the fight alongside Great Britain to defeat Hitler.”

After the ceremony, guests gathered at a local inn where historical materials were displayed and Lt Carey’s story was discussed further.