In God We Trust
Lt.Col. Geun-seok Lee of the Republic of Korea Air Force was the pilot of this F-51 Mustang when it crashed near Shihung, South Korea whle attacking a tank. He was killed in the crash.
Squadron Leader Graham Strout, the first Royal Australian Air Force fatality in the Korean War, was posted missing after leading a raid by a section of four Mustang aircraft north of latitude 37 degrees 08 minutes north, on the east coast railway at Samchok on 7 July 1950. The RAAF Air Board had directed that a search team should be sent to locate Strout or his remains. At the time, the Pukpyong area was controlled by ROK forces and the recovery party was assisted by the ROK Navy. The team comprised Squadron Leader Esmond New, an RAAF Presbyterian chaplain with extensive knowledge of Korea, its people and language from prior to World War II, and Sergeant (Sgt) Tom Henderson, a World War II veteran of RAAF search and rescue in New Guinea, Java and New Britain. Squadron Leader Stroud's remains were recovered and were later buried at the United Nations Cemetery at Pusan, South Korea. [Source: Australian War Memorial website] Squadron Leader Strout was born February 04, 1921, in Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia, the son of John Alexander Diggory Strout (1889-1956) and Effie Agnes Jane Dunn Strout (1892-1971).
The B-50A (#46-040) suffered the loss of propeller on #3 engine about 19 minutes after take-off on a navigational training flight at 12,700 feet. The engine vibrated loose from its mounts and struck the forward fuselage/bomb bay, causing a fire in this area and the wing. The aircraft immediately entered an uncontrollable spin to the right and all five men in the forward compartment bailed out. Four others were killed.
Fatalities:
Adcock, Cpl. James Thomas (gunner) - Corporal Adcock was born April 20, 1929, a son of James McCoy Adcock (1892-1963) and Jewel Odessa Conner Adcock (1897-1953). On November 24, 1949, Corporal Adcock married Margaret Mary Krautkramer (1925-1994) in Tucson, Arizona. They were parents of a daughter, Barbara Ann Adcock, born and died in 1950. Corporal Adcock is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama. His siblings were Raymond McCoy Adcock (1915–1979), Janice Elizabeth Adcock McWhirter (1917–2009), Bertha Adcock Turner (1919–2004), and Ila Adcock Arrington-McCay (1925–2003).
Jones, Sgt. Robert Louis (radio operator) - Sergeant Jones was born May 08, 1921, in Collinsville, Oklahoma, the son of Coney Jones (1882-1936) and Minnie M. Jones (1890-1973). He was married to Josephine Jones and had a stepdaughter, Dianna. One of his brothers was Abraham Lincoln Jones (1909-1953). He also had another brother and two sisters. Sergeant Jones is buried in Evergreen Cemetery and Mausoleum, Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Martin, Sgt. Harold Cornell (gunner) - Sergeant Martin was born March 08, 1923, in Shamrock, Oklahoma, a son of William M. Martin (1883-1958) and Alma E. Martin (1887-1971). His siblings were an infant with the last name Martin (1908-1908), Roy Martin, Virgel Martin, Thelma Martin Neely and Evelyn Martin downey. Sergeant Martin served three and a half years in the Pacific with the 1st Marine Division during World War II. after discharge in December 1945 he joined the Air Force in November of 1946. He is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery, Cushing, Oklahoma.
O'Daniel, Sgt. Robert Racine (gunner) - Sergeant O'Daniel was born October 28, 1924, in Santa Clara, California, the son of Robert O'Daniel and Dorothy Wright Crow O'Daniel (Zerell-Olexa) (1906-1994). His stepfather was Harry "Hick" Zerell. He was married to Marceline Joy Ferguson on January 27, 1944 in Azusa, California. She died in 2011. They were parents of children Don, Peggy and Norma.
Survivors:
Hornbuckle, Sgt. Earl R. (flight engineer)
Lautenschlager, Capt. Vaughn S. (commander)
McCarville, Lt. Jerome M. (co-pilot)
Montoya, Capt. Patrick (navigator)
Tonne, Capt. Alvin V. (bombardier)
Weisberg, Lt. Arthur R. (radar operator)
On this date B-50D Superfortress bomber (#49-0267) from the US Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC), 97th Bomb Group, left Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas, en route to England with a stopover at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton Ohio. The aircraft was carrying a Mark-4 nuclear bomb. It was flying over Warren County, Ohio at around 2:54 in the afternoon when the bomber suddenly fell from the sky and crashed approximately 4 ½ miles north east of Mason, Ohio. The crash occurred west of State Route 741 and north of Hamilton Road. All sixteen persons (four officers and twelve airmen) onboard were killed. The crew was performing a navigational exercice out from Biggs AFB, Texas. While cruising at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the aircraft went into a spin and crashed in a vertical attitude in a huge explosion in a field located southwest of Lebanon. All 16 crew members, among them four officers, were killed. The impact and the blast tore a hole in the ground that was about 18 feet deep and at least 75 feet wide.
Fatalities:
Adams, Capt. John Samuel Jr. (pilot) - Captain Adams was born June 30, 1923, in Oklahoma, a son of John Samuel "Jack" Adams Sr. (1895-1977) and Emma C. Burch Adams (1898-1975). He was married to Helen Joyce (McKinnon) (1923-2018). His brother was George Howard Adams (1928-2011). He is buried in Jefferson Barrackss National Cemetery, St. Louis County, Missouri.
Anderson, Capt. Paul E. Jr. (navigator) - Captain Anderson was born November 07, 1921, in DeKalb, Illinois, the son of Paul E. Anderson Sr. and Adah Pasley Anderson. His wife was Lucille Wilcox Anderson and they had four children. During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps in England. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, DeKalb, Illinois.
Danos, Sgt. Alcide - Sergeant Danos was born October 02, 1928, in Pelly, Texas, the son of Alcide Danos sr. (1898-1940) and Mary Angelina Dean Thompson (1895-1964). His sisters were Earline Danos Ingersoll (1;922-1992) and half-sister Minnie Roberta Dean Gieger (1916-2004). Sergeant Danos is buried in Hill of Rest Cemetery, Baytown, Texas.
Diggle, TSgt. Burnham Wade Jr. - Sergeant Diggle was born May 04, 1921, in Missouri, a son of Burnham Wade Diggle Sr. (1898-1968) and Irene A. Vickers Diggle (1897-1988). His brother was Frank Vickers Diggle (1925--2016). He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Martin, Pfc. George L. - He was from Danberry, Nebraska. No information found.
Martin, 1Lt. Harvey Eugene (pilot) - Lieutenant Martin was born March 20, 1924, in Indiana, the son of George Harvey Martin (1884-1969). His siblings were Agnes Madeline Martin Cobb (1909–1980), George Harold Martin (1913–2003), Beulah Mae Martin Koslo (1925–2012), andJoe Billy Martin Sr. (1932–1991). He is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
Moore, SSgt. Russell Earl - Sergeant Moore was born January 26, 1928, Fairmont, West Virginia. He was married in 1949 to Shirley Jean Carder (later Perkins) (1933-1973). He is buried in Doddridge County, West Virginia.
Mullen, SSgt. Thomas James - Sergeant Mullen was born May 14, 1928, in Kansas. He is buried in Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis County, Missouri.
Pickett, TSgt. Charles W. - Sergeant Pickett was born March 21, 1919, in Texas, the son of Charles W. Pickett Sr. (1886-1957) and Mary Virginia Young Pickett (1888-1981). His brother was William James "Billie"Pickett (1923-1928). Sergeant Pickett is buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis County, Missouri.
Smith, SSgt. Ellis E. - He was from Texas.
Tennille, SSgt. James Meador Jr. - Sergeant Tennille was born on January 05, 1916, in Richmond, Virginia, the son of James Meador Tennille Sr. (1884-1949) and Emley Getrude Newton Tennille (1892-1919). His sister was Alice Moore Tennille Armstrong (1914-1941). He is buried in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Timmons, SSgt Wallace O. - Sergeant Timmons was born on September 14, 1922, in Graham, Texas, a son of Wallace Edward Timmons (1883-1945) and Bertha Gertrude Clark Timmons (1890-1979). His siblings were Martha Ellen Timmons (1910–1913), William J. Timmons (1913–1980), Allie Edith Timmons Orr (1916–2002), Otwell Dudley "Preacher" Timmons (1919–1958), and Betty Jean Timmons Phillips (1932–2018).
Travis, SSgt. James Allison - Sergeant Travis was born July 22, 1921, a son of William H. Travis (1869-1928) and Ida Lee Hutto Travis (1880-1966). His siblings were Maud Isabel Travis Maher (1902–1996), Velma V. Travis Hays (1905–1989), Wilson Henry Travis (1909–1991), Nora F. Clifton (1912–1997), Dewey F. Travis (1914–1990), Thomas Milton Travis
(1916–1942), MM2 Thomas Milton Travis (1916–1942), W. D. Travis (1918–2010), W. D. Travis (1918–2010), and Gertrude Clodell Travis Ruddock (1924–2010). He is buried in South San Gabriel Cemetery, South San Gabriel, Texas.
Veid, TSgt Joseph - Sergeant Veid was born September 15, 1921, in West Virginia, a son of Louis Veid Sr. (1885-1982) and Mildred Virginia Farmer Veid (1887-1959). He was married to Delilah Mae Veid (Cumiford-Brown) and they had a son, Leonard Wayne Veid (1947-2009). His siblings were Louise Virginia Veid Gravely (1919–2000), Marie Veid Morgan (1924-2013), Louis "Louie" Veid Jr (1926–2012), and Fontaine "Fount" Veid (1928-2011). He is buried in Furrow-Tilden Community Cemetery, Glen Morgan, West Virginia.
Second Lieutenant Henry Ray Baas was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74281) with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On July 15, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft struck the ground as he made a rocket pass 14 miles northeast of Taejon, Korea. Lieutenant Baas was born May 26, 1928 in Pease, Minnesota, a son of John J. Baas Sr. (1895-1971) and Hattie Brinks Baas (1887-1969). His siblings were Lt. Jay Stanley Baas (1924-1945), 1Lt. John Junior "Jack" Baas (1924-1987), and Joan Alice Baas Suwyn (1922-2002). Lt. Jay S. Baas was killed in action in World War II. Both Lieutenant Henry Baas and Lieutenant Jay Baas are buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
Captain George Emmor Haines was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (ROK-2) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On July 21, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. Captain Haines was born March 06, 1925 in Portland, Oregon, the son of Ward Lemley Haines (1893-1968) and Hannah Marie Hall Haines (1897-1979). He was married to Mildred J. Haines. His sister was Marjorie Mae Haines Crisman (1921-2009). Captain Haines enlisted on January 27, 1943. He is buried in Friends Cemetery, Newberg, Oregon.
Ensign Don Richard Stephens was the pilot of an AD-4 Skyraider dive bomber with Attack Squadron 55 aboard the carrier USS Valley Forge (CV 45). On July 22, 1950, during an attack on enemy positions, his aircraft crashed and exploded near Kangnyong-ni, Korea. His remains were not recovered. Ensign Stephens was born on December 23, 1926 in Painesville, Ohio, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Stevens. He was married to US Navy veteran Thailia Virginia Holmes (later Cole) (1923-2014) on August 04, 1948. They were parents of a 15-month-old son, Paul Richard Stephens, when Ensign Stephens was killed in action in Korea. He was also survived by a sister, Patricia Stephens Phillips. Ensign Stephens attended Mentor schools and graduated from the Admiral Farragut Academy in New Jersey in 1944. He entered the Naval Academy, graduating in 1948. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
On July 27, 1950, a three-man aircrew, twenty-two male passengers and one female--Genevieve Smith, left Haneda, Japan for a flight to Pusan, Korea in a C-47D. Less than a half hour later the plane veered to the right and flipped onto its back. The tail section broke off and the plane crashed into the ocean. There was only one survivor--saved because he was sucked out of the airplane and was able to pull his parachute ripcord before he lost unconsciousness. He was picked up out of the water by a Japanese fishing boat eight hours later. All others on the aircraft were lost at sea.
Fatalities:
Blasetti, Pvt. Silvio Vito - Private Blasetti was born June 15, 1930 in Yonkers, New York, a son of Fausto Blasetti (1904-1976) and Caroline Farrara Blasetti (1906-1989). His siblings were sisters Lucy and Marion, and brother Philip Blasetti. Silvio attended St. Mary's Parochial School and Benjamin Franklin Junior High School. He enlisted in the Army in February of 1947. While living in Japan he had a son (mother's name unknown), George Reiko-Blasetti.
Boggs, Pfc. Junior Russell - Private Boggs was born May 12, 1928 in Creston, West Virginia, a son of Thomas R. Boggs (1901-1990) and Della Frances Parsons Boggs (1906-1984). His siblings were Thomas Lee "Tom" Boggs (1924-1998), Mary J. Boggs Campbell (1926-2013), Anna Boggs Exline (1931-2022), James "Jack" Boggs (1935-2013), Mrs. Larry (Margaret Boggs) Webster, and Charles Boggs.
Brunn, Reginald R. - civlian ECA representative that lived in Tokyo
Collingsworth, GMC T.L. -
Hughes, Capt. Alexander Jr. - He was the son of Alexander M. Hughes Sr. and Twila E. Hughes. He was married when he enlisted on January 29, 1944 in Pennsylvania.
Corey, Pfc. John C. - Private Corey was born March 31, 1929.
Davis, Pfc. Ralph Duane - Private Davis was born December 09, 1924, the son of Handy L. Davis (1901-1957) and Ruth I. Davis (1910-1950). He attended Newberry High School and was inducted into the Army on May 18, 1945.
Engle, Maj. Frederick
Foster, Lt. Col. George W. (pilot) - He was the son of Mrs. Tom Aldreidge and husband of Mrs. Ann Foster.
Hinton, Albert - civilian war correspondent for The Norfolk Journal & Guide
Jackson, Lt. Col. Wilfred - Colonel Jackson was born September 02, 1902 in Fairmont, West Virginia, the son of George Samuel Jackson and Jessie Pearl Fouse Jackson.
Golubinski, Sgt. Zigmund T. - Sergeant Golubinski was born December 21, 1915. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran.
Kite, 2LT Howard Ray - Lieutenant Kite was born August 09, 1924, a son of Andy Ray Kite (1900-1971) and Johnnie Beatrice Carroll Kite (1904-1996). His siblings were Harold Edwin Kite (1921-1965) and Mrs. Ben A. l(Sara Kite) Pelot.
McCurdy, Capt. Lauchlan Neil (co-pilot) - Captain McCurdy was born August 05, 1;916 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the son of William and Emma McCurdy. He enlisted in the military on July 11, 1941.
Moravec, Matthew C. (civilian) - Mr. Moravec was born in Winona on January 06, 1915, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Moravec. He was a 1934 graduate of Winona Senior High School. He joined the Army, serving in the continental United States, Alaska and Germany from August of 1940 to 1945. Beginning in September of 1946 he was a civilian working in criminal investigation with Army occupation forces in Japan. His siblings were Joseph Moravec and sisters Mrs. Elmer (Blanche) Bess, Mrs. James (Mary) Murphy, Mrs. Arhur (Agnes) Kern, Mrs. Joseph (Frances) Kierlin, Mrs. Alvin (Kathryn) Purcell, and Mrs. Charles (Margaret) Trubl.
Munro, I.T. - civilian with the United Kingdom liaison mission in Tokyo
Perry, Cpl. Percy Royster - Corporal Perry was born December 01, 1930. He was the son of Mrs. Iola W. Perry of Raleigh, North Carolina..
Philonenko, Maximilian - civilian war correspondent for Agence France Presse
Seito, Sgt. M. -
Sexton, SSgt. Samuel Nelson (flight engineer) - Sergeant was born July 27, 1922, in Texas, the son of Jessee Cromwell (died 1968) and Rebeccca Jane Madden Sexton (1899-1973). He was married to Laura Evelyn Strange. He enlisted in the military on November 25, 1940 and was a member of the National Guard.
Simmons, Stephen - civilian war correspondent for Hilton Press & London Picture Post
Smith, Maj. Genevieve Marion - Genevieve Marion Smith was born April 25, 1905 in Epworth, Iowa, daughter of Thomas Aphonaius Smith (1875-1947) and Mary Elizabeth Kennedy Smith (1874-1965). In addition to her mother, Major Smith was survived by siblings Mrs. Frank (Veronica) Dagenais, Mrs. Edwin (Catherine) Horsfield, Mrs. Alfred (Alice) Arensdorf, Joseph Smith and Thomas K. Smith. Genevieve Smith graduated from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa, on August 15, 1925, and joined the Army in 1928. After World War II she spent two years in Germany and then in October 1948 she was transferred to the Philippines. She was later transferred to Japan, where she was serving as chief nurse of the 155th Station Hospital in Yokohama, Japan when she was selected by General Douglas MacArthur to be chief nurse for Korea. Although the former World War II Army nurse was due to retire in January 1951 after 22 years of military service, she accepted the position and sealed her destiny on a fatal air flight to Korea. On July 27, 1950, a three-man aircrew, twenty-two male passengers and one female--Genevieve Smith, left Haneda, Japan for a flight to Pusan, Korea in a C-47D. Less than a half hour later the plane veered to the right and flipped onto its back. The tail section broke off and the plane crashed into the ocean. There was only one survivor--saved because he was sucked out of the airplane and was able to pull his parachute ripcord before he lost unconsciousness. He was picked up out of the water by a Japanese fishing boat eight hours later. All others on the aircraft were lost at sea. [See A Few Good Women by Evelyn M. Monahan and Rosemary Neidel-Greenlee, pp. 252-253.] Further information about Major Smith can be found in: A Concise Biography of Maj. Genevieve Marion Smith by Mrs. Genevieve Comeau, General Reference & Research Branch, Historical Unit, USAMEDS, Forest Glen Section, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, published in April of 1962.
Supple, James O. - civilian religion news correspondent for Chicago Sun Times.
Welsh, James William - civilian, Red Cross
Young, MSgt. George Wickersham - Sergeant Young was born May 25, 1906. He was married to Sue Farwell on April 16, 1934. He enlisted in the military on March 06, 1941.
Lone Survivor:
Sazaki, SFC Haruo - 166th Military Intellicence Service Detachment, 8th Army, Yokohama, Japan
Captain Howard Emmerson Smith was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73608) with the 51st Fighter Bomber Squadron (Provisional), 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 30, 1950, while on a strafing run, his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed into a hill 5 miles south of Kochang, South Korea. Captain Smith was born April 16, 1920, the son of George W. and Lucille L. Smith. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California
Major Louis Joseph Sebille Jr. was a pilot of a F-51D Mustang fighter (#44-74394) and commanded the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. On August 5, 1950 near Hamchang, Korea, he was conducting an attack upon a concentration of enemy troops when his aircraft was struck by enemy antiaircraft fire. Rather than attempting to land, he dove on his target to his death. Major Sebille was born November 21, 1915, in Harbor Beach, Michigan, a son of Dr. Louis Joseph Sebille Sr. (1886-1971) and Edna I. DeLish Sebille (1889-1918). He was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane Young at Barton, Florida, and they had a son, Louis Joseph "Flip" Seville III (born 1950). His sister was Elise M. Sebille. Major Sebille attended Wayne State University, Detroit, Michihgan and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 20, 1941. He flew 68 combat missions in Europe during World War II. Major Sebille was a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in Korea. He is buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois.
Captain Robert Newland Howell Jr. was a member of the 6002nd Tactical Support Wing. On August 5, 1950, he was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#45-11356) from the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. While on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames, killing him. Captain Howell was born November 30, 1919 in Missouri, the son of Robert Newland Howell Sr. (1869-1939) and Ida B. Tuley Howell (1878-1950). He was married to Eleanor Margaret McKasson (later Reed) (1920-2001) on March 15, 1944 in Kirksville, Missouri. His sister was Frances Clark Howell Reed (1906-1985). He attended four years of college and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 08, 1941. Captain Howell is buried in Maple Hills Cemetery, Kirksville.
Captain Marlin Thomas Nolan was the pilot of a P-51D Mustang night fighter with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On August 6, 1950, while on a combat mission, His aircraft crashed during an attack on a target near Keni-dong, Korea killing him. Captain Nolan was born September 01, 1920, in Baltimore City, Maryland, a son of Lawrence Thomas Nolan Sr. (1896-1963) and Sarah Marie Fleagle Nolan (1897-1942). He was married to Margaret Anne Ashbrook (born 1926). His brother was Lawrence Thomas Nolan Jr. (1926-1993). Captain Nolan was a member of John Marshall High School Corps of Cadets and graduated from the University of Richmond in 1942. He enlisted March 06, 1942 and served in World War II. Captain Nolan is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
First Lieutenant William Russell Briscoe Jr. was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On August 6, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. Several references list his death date as August 08, 1950. Lieutenant Briscoe was born May 16, 1925 in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of William Russell Briscoe Sr. (1899-1979) and Deas Sinkler Adams Briscoe (1902-1987). He was married to Martha McCrary (later McWhorter) (1927-1997), and they had a daughter Cathy who was born in 1949. His sister was Margaret "Peggy" Briscoe Rochelle (1928-2005). Lieutenant Briscoe graduated from Knoxville High School in 1943 and was an alumnus of the University of Tennessee. Lieutenant Briscoe was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried in Old Gray Cemetery, Knoxville.
First Lieutenant James I. "Jim" Mathis was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On August 10, 1951, while on a combat mission in the Pyongyang area, his engine suffered coolant problems and the aircraft crashed northwest of Yongdok. His remains were recovered and he was buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, California. Lieutenant Mathis was born December 14, 1922, in Bountiful, Utah, a son of John Lloyd Mathis (1894-1974) and Ida May Robinson Mathis (1894-1983). His siblings were Maj. Jack Robinson "Jake" Mathis (1918-1945/killed on Okinawa during World War II), Joe Mathis, Jerry Mathis, Dixie Mathis, and Evelyn Mathis Robinson.
DPAA: First Lieutenant Thelbert Bernard Wormack, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Ohio, was assigned to the 40th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 35th Fighter-Bomber Group. On the morning of August 14, 1950, he piloted an F-51D Mustang (tail number 44-73560) in a flight of two. The briefed mission was an armed reconnaissance operation over Waegwan, South Korea. During the mission, 1st Lt Wormack’s engine began to emit smoke, and he was forced to bail out; the Mustang crashed in a dry riverbed. 1st Lt Wormack's wingman observed the downed pilot walking northwest toward railroad tracks. On his next pass over the area, the wingman lost sight of 1st Lt Wormack but observed five enemy soldiers searching the area. After scattering the soldiers, the wingman resumed his search but was unable to locate the downed pilot. Once this area returned to the control of the United Nations Command, Army Graves Registration Service teams investigated the crash site and interviewed local nationals without positive results. Additionally, no returning prisoners of war (POWs) mentioned contact with 1st Lt Wormack, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Wormack was born July 09, 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Fred and Katherine Day Wormack. He attended Douglass Grammar School, Avondale Grammer School, and Hughes High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, before enlisting on November 09, 1945. He was recalled to active duty from the Enlisted Reserve Corps for the Korean War. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
"Jack flew sixty combat missions in the F-80's during the period June 25-August 15, 1950, and subsequently flew additional missions in F-51's when his unit was equipped with the latter type of aircraft. On August 15, 1950, shortly after he and his wingman had taken off on a pre-dawn mission, he experienced engine trouble, and had started to turn back to the field when his aircraft caught fire. Not being too far from shore, he risked his life attempting to save a costly piece of equipment, but lost the battle trying. The seas parted and received him and then closed around him. [Source: West Point website] 1Lt. John Neil "Jack"/"Monk" Munkres was born October 16, 1924, in Weeping Water, Nebraska, the only child of Neal A. Munkres (1904-1988) and Janet Y. Munkres (1898-1989). He was married to Alper Claudia Vestal on September 17, 1949, in Itazuke, Japan. Lieutenant Munkres attended the University of Nebraska and enlisted in the Army Air Corps December 14, 1942. A 1946 graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1946, he was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was on his 61st mission in Korea when he was lost in the sea.
AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft #44-81610 was hit by ground fire, spun in and crashed southwest of Chungam-ni, South Korea. There were two fatalities.
Fatalities:
Davies, 2Lt. Earl James - Second Lieutenant Davies was an air-ground controller for the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division and was onboard the Mosquito when it crashed. Lieutenant Davies was the stepson of William H. Burkhardt and the son of Mildred Davies Burkhardt. He married Audrey Lorraine DeVault on May 13, 1950, and left the next month for Korea. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Warwick, 2Lt. William Barksdale Jr. - Second Lieutenant Warwick was born June 25, 1928, in Henrico County, Virginia, the son of William Barksdale Warwick Sr. (1895-1944) and Charlotte Drewey Vaden Warwick (1901-1999). Lieutenant Warwick is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
On August 20, 1950, while flying an air-ground control mission, an AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft (#44-82521) with the 6148th Tactical Air Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Air Control Group was lost northwest of Waegwan, South Korea. There were two fatalities.
Fatalities:
Bushman, MSgt. Herschel L. - Sergeant Bushman was an observer on the aircraft . Sergeant Bushman was born January 26, 19 25, a son of Herschel C. Bushman (1903-1979) and Pearl S. Bushman (1903-1983). He was married to Marion O. Bushman and they had a son Terry. His brother was Jerald Allen Bushman (1931-2021). Sergeant Bushman enlisted on July 22, 1943 and is buried in Blackwell Cemetery, Blackwell, Oklahoma.
Reeves, 2Lt. Ernest Julius Jr. - Lieutenant Reeves was born January 15, 1926, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the son of Ernest Julius Reeves Sr. (1903-1976) and Saline Sallier Reeves (1886-1934). He was married to Marie Novelene Pfeffer Reeves (later Osborne) (1926-2002). His sister was Emma Theresa Reeves Carney Gaisser (1928-2011). He is buried in Sallier Cemetery, Lake Charles, Louisiana.
On August 22, 1950, a AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft (#42-86132) with the 6148th Tactical Air Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Air Control Group. encountered poor weather conditions and crashed into Sobuk San Mountain, South Korea. There were two fatalities and their remains were recovered.
Fatalities:
McCormick, 2Lt. Robert Emmett Jr. - Lieutenant McCormick was born July 13, 1927, in Maine, a son of Robert Emmett McCormick Sr. (1906-1988) and Josephine Mirian Hanley McCormick. His siblings were James, David Lee, and Tayler L. "Terry" McCormick. Lieutenant McCormick is buried in Lake Forest Park, Washington
Wenzl, 2Lt. Charles Patrick "Pat" - Lieutenant Wenzl was born November 20, 1926, in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, a son of Carl Patrick Wenzl (1898-1965) and Virginia Van Hole Wenzl (1899-1968). His siblings were Dick, Joe, Tom, James Emmett (1938-2019), Rebecca Jean Wenzl Allison (1934-1998), Kathleen Wenzl Snider, and Mary Lou Wenzl. Lieutenant Wenzl attended Bremerton High School and then enlisted in November f 1946. He is buried in Ivy Green Cemetery, Bremerton, Washington.
First Lieutenant Patteson "Pat" Gilliam was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On August 22, 1950. while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, as he made a strafing run over Uisong, Korea and crashed 5 miles northeast of Chonano-dong, South Korea. Lieutenant Gilliam was born August 31, 1926 in Petersburg, Virginia, a son of Robert Skelton Gilliam Sr. (1890-1968) and Jennie Belle Patteson Gilliam (1891-1983). His siblings were Robert Skelton Gilliam Jr. (1913-1985) and Jennie Belle Gilliam Powell (1917-2004). A graduate of West Point in 1948, he was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Lieutenant Gilliam is buried in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia.
Two B-26 Invaders of the 729th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 452d Bombardment Group (Light), based at George AFB, California, collided in flight over El Mirage Dry Lake, ten miles northwest of Victorville, California. The pilots attempted unsuccessful bailouts.
Fatalities:
Cuerton, 1Lt. Ouris Hulon (pilot of #44-34174) - Lieutenant Cuerton was born June 21, 1921, in Swift, Texas, the son of Giles Napoleon Cuerton (1891-1966) and Susan Myrtle "Susie" Chalker Cuerton (1897-1985). He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 to serve in World War II and was the recipient of an Air Medal. He is bu ried in Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Leavitt, Capt. Lyle N. (pilot of #44-34677) - Captain Leavitt was born June 02, 1917, in Boise, Idaho, a son of Franklin Charles Leavitt (1891-1957) and Verna Scrivner Leavitt (1889-1981). He was married in 1939 to Elizabeth L. Thompson (1917-1998) and they had daughters Nan and Bonnie. His siblings were Stanley Arnold Leavitt (1919-2015) and June L. Leavitt Rolls (1922-1997). Captain Leavitt graduated in 1935 from the Polytechnic High School and then attended Long Beach City College. He is buried in Angeles Abbey Mausoleum, Compton.
First Lieutenant Arlie Dale Mullet was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74476) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On August 24, 1950, while on a combat mission, he crash landed at Taegu Airfield (K-2). Lieutenant Mullet was born November 23, 1928, Warsaw, Ohio, the son of Oscar H. Mullet (1888-1976) and Gladys J. Akins Mullet (1892-1969). He was married to Oma Bess Mohon Mullet (later Gehlhausen) (1930-2014). He enlisted in the Air Force on November 27, l1946. Lieutenant Mullet is buried in Blissfield Cemetery, Blissfield, Ohio.
Major Meade M. Brown was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-72559) with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On August 24, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed. Major Brown was born June 26, 1916, a son of Theodore Lawrence Brown Sr. (1885-1975) and Edith Clare Marsh Brown (1887-1969). His brother was Theodore Lawrence Brown Jr. (1920-1934). Major Brown is buried in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.
DPAA: First Lieutenant James John Anderle Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was a member of the 363rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On September 2, 1950, he took off from Tsuki Air Base, Japan, piloting an F-51D Mustang (tail number 45-11538) as the number two aircraft on a two-plane armed reconnaissance mission over Wonsan, North Korea. As the flight neared Wonsan, the flight leader radioed an order to strafe an enemy oil storage tank. As the flight leader made his pass, he saw and heard heavy ground fire coming from the target area. He then radioed 1st Lt Anderle to give him flight instructions, but 1st Lt Anderle responded that he did not receive the message. The flight leader then circled the area to search for 1st Lt Anderle, but saw no sign of him. First Lieutenant Anderle was not seen or heard from again. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt Anderle, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He has not been associated with any remains returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire, and he is still unaccounted for.
Missing in Action:
Anderle, 1Lt. James John Jr. - Lieutenant Anderle was born June 24, 1924 in Oak Park, Illinois, a son of James John Anderle Sr. (1895-1965) and Evelyn Johanna Galley Anderle (1901-1969). His siblings were Katharine Galley Anderle Boos (1927-2004) and Gustav Galley Anderle (1930-1972). A World War II veteran with one year of college, Lieutenant Anderle was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Pilot Officer William Percy Harrop was on his second sortie of the day when he flew towards Taegu in his F-51 Mustang #A68-753. He radioed fellow pilots to say that his aircraft was on fire and he was going to crash land in a field. After landing he got out of the aircraft before it exploded. He made his way to a nearby hut and waved that he was safe. Soon after he had an encounter with North Koreans who shot him in the right leg and then captured and executed him by shooting him in the back of his head. P3 Harrop was born October 21, 1924 in Lakemba, New South Wales. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on February 23, 1948. Villagers buried him in a temporary grave. His body was recovered on January 14, 1951 and he was reburied in the British Commonwealth section of the United Nations Cemetery, Pusan, South Korea.
Captain David Howard Grisham was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 20th Weather Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 3, 1950, he encountered bad weather over Pusan and, after being seen near Tsushima, contact was lost. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Grisham was born October 14, 1920 in Shreveport, Louisiana, the son of Howard Grisham (1897-1966) and Ruby Grace Owen Grisham (1899-1976). He was married to Bette Desmond Grisham and they had daughters Barony Grisham and Leandra Grisham (1946-1973). His sister was Carolyn Lee Grisham Sirman (1930-2003). Captain Grisham was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Mdal and Bronze Star.
First Lieutenant William Jefferson Levi was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (tail number unknown) with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On September 7, 1950, on takeoff, his plane crashed and burst into flames 1.5 miles south of the airfield. Lieutenant Levi was born August 14, 1923, in Berryville, Virginia, a son of Charles Thomas Levi (1881-1944) and Marion Dearing Williams Levi (1884-1961). He was married to Ann Lee Enders (1925-1963) in January 07, 1943, Berryville, Virginia, and they had sons Charles Jefferson "Jeff" Levi and William Thomas Levi (1946-2020). His siblings were Charles T. Levi (1919-1920), Dorothy Dearing Levi and Helen Williams Levi Dozier (1911-1986). Lieutenant Levi graduated from Berryville High School and attended Randolph Mason College. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on June 22, 1942 and served as a glider pilot and serviceman in the States during World War II. After the war he became a Virginia State Trooper, but resigned to reenter the military. He had flown 60 missions over Korea before he was killed in the plane crash. Lieutenant Levi was buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Berryville, Virginia.
DPAA: First Lieutenant Jack Arthur Lightner, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Nebraska, was assigned to the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group. Late in the morning on September 7, 1950, he departed from Ashiya Air Base, Japan, flying an F-51D Mustang (tail number 11727 / callsign Elsewhere Barber 4) as the number four pilot in a flight of four. The briefed mission was a close air support operation, supporting the 6147th Tactical Air Control Squadron along the battlefront north of Pohang, South Korea. After successfully completing its mission, the Elsewhere Barber flight turned west out over the Korea Strait to return to base. During this return flight, 1st Lt Lightner radioed that his aircraft's engine was on fire and he intended to bail out. Turning back towards the closest airfield, Pusan (K-2) Air Base, 1st Lt Lightner jettisoned his Mustang's canopy as the aircraft descended to 2000 feet; however, he did not bail out early enough, hitting the water without decelerating and before his parachute could deploy. The flight circled the area for about ten minutes, observing a life vest, a dinghy, and what appeared to be blood on the water; they did not see 1st Lt Lightner. All air-sea recuse efforts failed to locate the missing pilot. He remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Lightner was born January 12, 1926, in Saint Edward, Nebraska, a son of George Fox Lightner (1897-1965) and Marion V. Preston Lightner (1901-1995). His sister was Jo Olive Lightner Groulik (1934-2014). He was also the brother of Dr. Jerry P. Lightner (1929-2010). Lieutenatn Lightner enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 16, 1943. The recipient of an Air Medal, he was killed on his 47th mission over Korea.
On 9 September, in cloudy conditions, WGCC Louis Thomas Spence of the Royal Australian Air Force led three other Mustangs in a low-level napalm attack on An'gang-ni. He attempted to pull out of a very steep dive but crashed in the middle of the town and was killed. Whether he was hit by ground fire or had misjudged his attack is uncertain. His body was recovered and buried in the United National Cemetery, Busan, South Korea. WGCC Spence was born April 04, 1917,in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, the fifth child of Robert John and Louise Margaretta Marie Koob Spence. He attended Longreach State School 1924-31 and Thornburgh College 1932-1934. He served in Germany and Italy during World War II. Decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, and Air Medal, he was married to Vernon Swain and they were parents of two children.
Captain Harold David Webster Jr. was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-72915) with the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Wing. On September 14, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft struck a high tension line and crashed into the ground two miles south of Kuksa-bong, Korea. Captain Webster was born May 21, 1925, in Venice, California, the son of Harold David Webster Sr. (1893-1947) and Loucille Hayes Fowlkes Webster (1904-2000). His brother was Edward Haviland Webster (1926-1953). His half-sister was Caria E. "Teddy" Webster Malin (1912-1998).
Captain Walter R. Russell was a member of Headquarters, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 16, 1950, he was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter from the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. While on a combat mission, his aircraft disappeared after making a bombing run. Captain Russell was born September 211, 1923, in Dickinson, North Dakota, a son of Walter William Russell (1894-1957) and Getrude S. Russell (Holland) (1899-1994). His siblings were Charles M. Russell Sr. (1927-2021), Dorothea Russell Sveen, and Marjorie Russell Focht. Captain Russell is buried in Terrace Heights Memorial Park, Yakima, Washington.
An AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft (#44-82520) with the 6148th Tactical Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Control Group. On September 17, 1950, this aircraft became lost in the Pohang-Kigye-Angang-ni area. Two crew members were killed and their remains were recovered.
Peiffer, Capt. Alfred Gordon - Captain Peiffer was born March 02, 1917, in Pennsylvania, the son of Leroy and Helen Road Peiffer. He married Fay Olive Coulson on November 08, 1943, in Dauphin, Pennsylvania, and they had a daughter, Karen M. Peiffer (Gillardy). Captain Peiffer was an air-ground controller from the 1st Cavalry Division when the plane was lost. His remains were not recovered. Captain Peiffer was the recipient of a Bronze Star.
Wolfsen, Capt. Elliott Dexter - Captain Wolfsen was born January 13, 1919, in Merced, California, a son of Chester Ralph "Chet" Wolfsen (1896-1958) and Hazel Estelle Elliott Wolfsen (1893-1943). He was married to Betty L. Wolfsen. His brother was 2Lt. Kent Harlan Wolfsen (1920-1942), killed in France during World War II. His sister was Beverly Jean Wolfsen Polly (1923-1965). Captain Wolfsen enlisted on November 07, 1941 and flew with multi-engine aircraft in the Pacific during World War II. He graduated from Pacific Union Collegge and attended the University of California before enlisting. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
Captain Edward J. Onze was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-72969) with the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 19, 1950, while on a combat mission, of strafing enemy positions three miles northwest of Namwon, Korea, his aircraft crashed. Captain Onze was born March 24, 1921, the son of Michael "Mitch" Onze (1892-1975) and Rose Solack Onze (1899-1994). He was married to Isabel C. Onze (1918-1958). Captain Onze is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Ltjg. Clifford Eugene Seeman was the pilot of an AD-4 Skyraider dive bomber(#123803) with Attack Squadron 65 aboard the USS Boxer (CV-21). On September 20, 1950, his aircraft was hit by ground fire, lost its wing and crashed about three miles southeast of Kaesong and burned. Lieutenant Seeman was born July 18, 1922, in Canton, Ohio, a son of Ethan Seemann (1893-1983) and Blanche Mae Shoemaker Seeman (1898-1981). (His parents' tombstone spells their name name with two N's.). Lieutenant Seeman was married to Betty J. Randall Seeman (later Halderman) (1923-1984). His siblings were Lester Ethan Seeman (1923-1995) and Mary Louise Seeman (later Fink) (1924-2020). Lieutenant Seeman is buried in North Lawn Cemetery, Canton, Ohio.
LTC Robert E. Scanlon was killed in action during the Korean War. Scanlon while flying a F-51D Mustang fighter (#44-74691) on a combat mission over North Korea on September 21, 1950. He crashed approximately one mile northwest of Mukpang-ni, North Korea. His body was recovered and he is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California. Lieutenant Colonel Scanlon was born May 27, 1923, in Colorado, the son of James and Viola Scanlon. He was married to Elizabeth Walsh (later Mrs. Robert Lee Anderson), and they had children Patrick (age 4), Daniel (age 3), and Marianne (six months). Lieutenant Colonel Scanlong enlisted January 14, 1942, and during World War II he flew combat missions in Italy. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Crosds and Air Medal.
On September 23, 1950, a AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft (#44-86145) was hit by ground fire, spun in, its wings came off and crashed. There were two fatalities.
Fatalities:
Burwell, 2Lt. David LeRoy - Second Lieutenant Burwell was born January 01, 1929, in Bridgman, Michigan, a son of Ralph L. Burwell (1901-1977) and Josephine Cutler Burwell (1908-2003). He was married to Dolores Nancy Livengood (later Coe) (1929-2023) in 1948. They were parents of an infant daughter, Nancy Jo Burwell, born in 1950. Lieutenant Burwell had siblings Lawrence Edward Burwell (1932-2023) and Norma Jean Burwell Marshall (1933-2001). Lieutenant Burwell graduated from Bridgman High School and then enlisted on June 2 3, 1948. He was only in Korea four days before the crash of his Mosquito. He is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman, Michigan.
Parmer, 2Lt. David Lindsey - Second Lieutenant David Lindsey Parmer was serving as an air-ground controller for the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Lieutenant Parmer was born March 10, 1930, in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Ione Wadsworth Parmer (Holt) (1903-1970). He graduated from Baker High School in 1946, and was an honor graduate at North Georgia College in 1950. He is buried in Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia.
1Lt. Roland Edward Lee was the pilot of an F-51D Mustang Night Fighter; with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter Interceptor Group. On Sepember. 27, 1950 while on a combat mission of bombing a truck convoy south of Chochiwon, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti aircraft fire and exploded. Lieutenant Lee was born May 15, 1923 in San Diego County, California, the son of Harold Vernon Lee (1896-1986) and Eunice Mae Skeel Lee (1894-1942). His sister was Mary Lee King. Lieutenant Lee attended Grossmont High School and then attended Antioch University in Ohio. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on February 23, 1943 and served in Italy during World War II. After the war he attended Stanford University before rejoining the Air Force. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Killed on his 71st mission in Korea, he is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego.
First Lieutenant Donald Lee Pitchford was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#255) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 28, 1950, while on a combat mission, he was attacked by a Yak. His aircraft's engine began to smoke and it went into a spin. He bailed out at low altitude 10 miles northwest of Waegwan, Korea. His remains were recovered. Lieutenant Pitchford was born January 14, 1928, in Beggs, Oklahoma, a son of Wesley Denton Pitchford (1899-1978) and Mary H. Rombach Pitchford (1898-1973). His siblings were Geraldine Verda Pitchford Rouk (1926-2018) and Leo C. Pitchford (1933-2012). Lieutenant Pitchford is buried in Beggs Cemetery, Beggs, Oklahoma.
Captain Donald Leroy Flentke was assigned to the 6002nd Tactical Support Wing and the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74521) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On September 28, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti- aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames near Senun-ri, 10 miles southeast of Wonsan, North Korea. Captain Flentke was listed as born in Ohio on January 01, 1917. He was married to Mildred C. Flentke. The World War II veteran enlisted in the Army Air Corps on February 19, 1942. It is believed by the KWE that he was a part of the Flentke family of Vanderburg County, Indiana, but that has not yet been confirmed. He is said to be buried in Auburndale Cemetery, Auburndale, Florida.
Second Lieutenant Billie R. Crabtree was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On July 26, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft dove into the ground from 2,000 feet. Lieutenant Crabtree was born March 21, 1927 in Nashville, Tennessee, a son of Dr. Louie Richard Crabtree (1889-1946) and Sarah Belle Grindstaff Crabtree (1888-1935). His full and half siblings included Joseph Harold Crabtree (1910-1974), Garvin Preston Crabtree (1920-1958), Eloise C. "Nip" Crabtree Jones Skinner (1924-2000), Rudy Crabtree, Mary Elizabeth Crabtree Banister, Lee Crabtree, Quentin Crabtree, May Crabtree Miller, and Lillian Crabtree Richards. Lieutenant Crabtree is buried in Garland Brook Cemetery, Columbus, Indiana.
DPAA: Captain Dean Garland Crowell, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Oregon, was a member of the 6146th Air Base Unit, 5th Air Force. On October 1, 1950, he departed Seoul Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-51D Mustang (tail number unavailable) as the flight leader of a four-plane armed reconnaissance mission over Pyongyang, North Korea. While flying over the south edge of Pyongyang, Capt Crowell spotted a target of opportunity. While diving over the target, his Mustang was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft went out of control and crashed, exploding on impact. Captain Crowell's wingman on the mission reported seeing signs of life near the crash site; however, rescue attempts or ground searches could not be conducted since the area was still in enemy hands. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Capt Crowell, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He is still unaccounted-for. Captain Crowell was born April 30, 1921 in LaCross County, Wisconsin, the son of Dr. Dean Piper Crowell (1894-1983) and Isabella Virginia Garland Crowell (1894-1983). On June 07, 1944 He was married to Helene M. Wilmot, and they had three children. His brother was Samuel H. Crowell. Captain Crowell was a 1944 graduate of the United States Military Academy. Captain Crowell graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1944 and served at Okinawa during World War II.
On October 2nd, 1950, U.S. Air Force Captain Woodrow Burton, 32, of Quincy, Illinois; beloved son of Joseph E. & Grace M. (Webster) Burton; continuing in honorable service since throughout World War II (Pacific); assigned to the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron "Fighting Fortieth", departed Tsuiki Air Base, Japan as the sole occupant of a single-seat North American F-51D fighter-bomber and ground attack aircraft (#44-74072) in the number two position of a finger-four formation flying against enemy targets north of Pyongyang, DPRK. During low-level flight (15)-fifteen miles northeast of Pyongyang (at an 800-ft. altitude), Burton radioed the others in the flight to notify them that his Mustang, having ridiculously vulnerable oil and coolant lines lying just beneath its skin-thin sheet metal exterior, had been struck by gunfire from the ground, giving him about (5)-five minutes to decide where and how to separate from his disabled plane. Climbing to l,OOO feet, he deployed his Stanley Yankee A-1H egress system, successfully clearing the plane. Landing in hostile enemy territory (4)-four miles east-northeast of North Korea's communist political capital city of Pyongyang (the DPRK's equivalent of Washington, DC), at coordinates (39°04'N 125°50'E) at 16:20 hrs., he was immediately surrounded by a mob of angry civilians. The remaining (3)-three planes in the flight continued to orbit overhead for (10)-ten minutes and Burton waved to indicate he was all right. Eventually departing the area on low fuel, they would never see Burton again. No clues about his actual fate or final resting place have ever been able to surface. Captain Burton was born September 11, 1918 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Joseph E. and Grace M. Webster Burton. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Cluster.
On October 2, 1950, U.S. Air Force Captain Donald David Bolt, 26, of Havre de Grace, Maryland; beloved son of William D. (Sr.) & Edith M. (Riddaugh) Bolt; assigned to Headquarters Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing "Dogpatchers", was the sole occupant of a single-seat North American F-51D fighter-bomber and ground attack aircraft (#44-84982) whose high degree of expertise was needed to perfectly time glide-bombing a locomotive just before it emerged from the Opariuk Railroad Tunnel. Clogging the tunnel in such a clever way would put a serious pause on Soviet-supplied weapons flowing into North Korea and ending up in enemy hands. Such an audacious stunt was not without its dangers, but Capt. Bolt was already aware that he might not make it back from this high-risk mission. Unflinching as his fuselage and canopy glass made a sound like popcorn popping while it was struck by large caliber automatic weapons fire from the ground, he made a perfectly controlled crash landing in a nearby rice paddy (coordinates 39°08'N 125°38'E). The landing was witnessed by Capt. McGee and Lt. Daniel B. Leake, who were taking part in the same attack. Leake flew cover over Bolt's plane and saw him get out on the wing and wave to indicate he was unharmed. Continuing to several more passes, Leake exchanged hand signals with Bolt enough to learn that he was not being fired upon. Continuing to be fired upon until departing the area low on fuel, Bolt's Air Force buddies would sadly never see or hear from him again. Continuing in honorable service since throughout World War II, a precursory glance at the Escape & Evade Society data, compiled and maintained by anti-Nazi resistance operatives (to covertly recover downed pilot back to friendly lines in Europe through an elaborate underground network) shows no listing for pilot Bolt which would've otherwise appeared in-between 'Bolsega, Stanley F.' and 'Bomar, Hugh C.'. He was, however, an expert topographic cartographer in his civilian life, and would've possessed all the maps and survival gear he would've needed. [Source: Findagrave]
Captain Bolt was born April 04, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a son of William David Bolt Sr. (1897-1967) and Edith M. Riddaugh Bolt (1897-1980). His siblings were Dorothy May Bolt Donovan (1926–2003), Bernice Adele Bolt Wright (1929–2003), William David Bolt Jr (1930–2005), Paul Earl Bolt (1932–2009), Frank Carroll Bolt Sr. (1933–2023), and Howard Murray Bolt (1936–2020). Captain Bolt was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Captain Ramon Roderick "Stoop" Davis was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#45-11606) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On October 5, 1950, while on a combat mission over Sunchon, North Korea his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and lost its coolant. He landed on a sand bar in the Taedong River. He jumped out, waved "OK" to a fellow pilot, and then ran and disappeared into trees and brush. Davis was never heard from again. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on March 31, 1954. Captain Davis was born October 12, 1924, in Ames, Iowa, the son of Harry Kimball Davis (1884-1965) and Coral Marian Roberts Davis (1886-1974). He was married to Tommie M. Davis. Captain Davis enlisted on November 14, 1942 and served in World War II. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Major Glen Dale Schiltz Jr. was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73504) with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On October 6, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded west of Pyongyang, North Korea. Major Schiltz was born March 15, 1919, in North Canton, Ohio, a son of Glen Dale Schiltz Sr. (1891-1973) and Lillian M. Snyder Schiltz (1892-1973). He was married to Patricia J. Schiltz. Major Schiltz was the recipient of a Silver Star and a Distinguished Service Cross. He is buried in North Canton Cemetery, North Canton, Ohio.
First Lieutenant Mike Steve David was the pilot of a RF-51D Mustang fighter bomber with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 8, 1950, while on a combat mission near Wonsan, North Korea, his aircraft's engine failed so he ditched the plane in Wonsan Bay. His remains were not recovered. From the book, Unsung Heroes of the Korean Air War by D.E. "Bud" Biteman: "Lieutenant David was attacking targets along the coast near Hungnam when his airplane was hit in the engine by ground fire...he could see oil streaming up through the top of the cowling..being a hundred miles behind enemy lines, he reasoned that his best chance for pickup would be with the Navy flotilla known to be steaming north...Mike headed out over the sea to intercept them, nursing his crippled Mustang as it gradually lost power and altitude. Mellow Control was alerted by radio, and they, in turn, notified the Navy, who promptly arranged for a helicopter rescue...Mike could see the Navy formation off on the distant horizon as his engine finally sputtered and froze...his dead-stick glide brought him closer and closer to the vast watery expanse. Then, while the helicopter hovered several hundered yards off to the side, Mike touched gently onto the placid surface of the Sea of Japan..Then, as if in slow motion, the Mustang's nose dipped under the surface, and with the continuing momentum of his landing speed, the entire airplane slid immediately under the water...Mike could be seen trying vainly, and belatedly, to jettison his canopy...being held forcefully on by water pressure..the airplane settled deeper into the sea.." Of Hungarian descent, Lieutenant David was born November 07, 1926 in Ohio, the son of Mike and Gazella David. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 29, 1945.
Captain Alexander Beck Padilla was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74107) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 9, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire near Kwangtan-ni, Korea, crashed and burst into flames. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on March 31, 1954.
[Source of the following information is Findagrave.] "At 16:45 hrs. Lima Time (local Korean time), less than (2)-two hours before sunset (assuming skies were not overcast) Padilla, descending by parachute, touched down at coordinates furnished by Air Force Intelligence investigators as being (38°22'N 125°45'E). The eventual crash of his Foxy-Few-Dog-Patching-Mustang nearby was observed by flight leader 1st Lt. William D. Bridges, and by 1st Lt. Robert R. Blank. After Padilla's plane crashed, his squadron mates observed him climbing out of the aircraft holding his left arm. Padilla walked away from his plane and sat down. His left arm appeared injured or broken because he held it. Padilla waved to other members of the flight circling above. Padilla's actions appeared erratic to Lt. Blank, who continued to orbit overhead after Lt. Bridges had departed for Kimpo air base for a rescue helicopter. F4U Corsairs that had been operating nearby cooperated in maintaining surveillance by buzzing the area. Padilla sat down holding his arm and stayed in a ditch until 17:45 hrs. (45 min. before sunset). Suddenly Lt. Blank noticed dust kick up in front of Padilla (shot fired) and (1)-one enemy soldier sneaking to within an estimated (25)–twenty-five yards of Padilla, up a ravine. Padilla stood up, raised his arms to a surrender position, and stumbled down the path about (75)–seventy-five yards into the village. Afterwards, he was observed being captured. At this time the F4Us were called off by Lt. Blank, who then returned to base." Captain Padilla was born December 21, 1923, in Tucson, Arizona, the son of Felix Ochoa Padilla (1889-1949) and Emma Beck Padilla (1902-1988). He was married to Evanggeline "Eva" G. Urrutia Padilla (1925-1990) in 1943, and they had a daughter Frances Diane Padilla Barela (1944-2009). Captain Padilla was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Sang Soo Lee was the pilot of an F-51 Mustang when it was downed by ground fire near Pyongyang. A member of the Republic of Korea Air Force, Lieutenant Lee was killed in the crash.
Second Lieutenant Wayne Johnson Rabun was the pilot of a F- 51D Mustang night fighter (#45-11404) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On October 16, 1950, his aircraft collided with a L-17 control aircraft near Haeju, Korea and crashed. The L-17 was piloted by Lt. John B. Stanton, and his observer was Lt. John Elliott Watkins. Lieutenant Rabun was born August 10, 1924, in Oklahoma, a son of Robert Dickson Rabun Sr. (1894-1947) and Dora Katherine "Kate" Matthews Rabun (1897-1987). His siblings were Mary Kathlyn "Kaye" Rabun Grider (1928-2015), Robert Dickson "Dick" Rabun Jr. (1917-1922) and Mona Ruth Rabun Reeves. Lieutenant Johnson is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, Oklahoma.
This aircraft crashed into the sea on its takeoff run from the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. One crewman escaped from the wreckage with minor injuries and was rescued by the plane guard helicopter. Analysis of witness statements and movie and still photos failed to positively identify the cause of the accident, but the most likely cause was determined to have been an inadvertent engagement of the flight control gust lock.
Fatalities:
Barrett, ALC Edward Robert "Eddie" (chief aviation radioman) - Airman Barrett was born March 11, 1922, in New York, a son of Edward Patrick Barrett (1896-1959). He was married to Lydiaa Tennessee Anderson (later Petrini) (1925-1993) in 1948. His siblings were Raymond Peter Barrett Sr. (1926-1992) and Mary Catherine "Little Mary" Barrett (1934-1937). Airman Barrett was lost at sea.
Purdon, LCDR David B. Jr. (aircraft commander) - Commander Purdon was born September 07, 1916, the son of David B. Purdon Sr. He was married to Blanche Tallulah Grantham (later Wyche) (1921-2001) on October 27, 1943, in Duval, Florida. He was a graduate of Eramus Hall High School and was a graduate of the US Naval Academy's Class of 1940. He was lost at sea.
Survivor:
Decker, Ltjg. Ed
DPAA: On October 18, 1950, a T-6 Texan (serial number 44-82514) with a pilot and one observer aboard departed Seoul Air Base on a tactical air control mission over Pyongyang. The last contact with the aircraft was at take-off, and the aircraft did not return to base as scheduled. The route was searched for several days but a crash site was never located and the two crew members were never heard from again. It was determined that the Mosquito was hit by anti-aircraft fire at Kajo-jong and crashed five miles east of Pyongyang, North Korea.
Missing in Action:
Decoste, Capt. Thomas William - Captain Decoste was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, serving as an aerial observer aboard AT-6F coordinating with the 6148th Tactical Control Squadron. Captain Decoste was born May 20, 1921, in Schenectady, New York, a son of Thomas Decoste (1879-1933) and Edna Alma Augusta Anderson Decoste Hyson (2896-2985). His stepfather was Charrles Hyson. Captain Decosta was married to Eva Louise Williams Decoste (1924-2008). His siblings were Ruth Eleanor Decoste Cross (1916-1988), Marjorie Decoste Mintz (1925-1987), Robert Martin Decoste (1927,2002), Alice W. Decoste, William P. Decoste, and half siblings Patricia J. Hyson Knapp (1930-2011), Vivian Hyson, Charles Hyson and Richard Hyson. Captain Decoste was the recipient of a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
McKee, 1Lt. Robert Edgar - Llieutenant McKee was born November 14, 1921, in Walpole, Massachusetts, the son of Fred Alexander McKee (1885-1938) and Amy Dorothy Reeves McKee (1888-1954). He was married to Lois A. McKee. His sister was Dorothy Mabel McKee Fitzgibbon (1926-2000). Lieutenant McKee was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Captain Daniel Bruce Leake Jr. was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74993) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On October 18, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed. He could not bail out successfully. Captain Leake was born January 29, 1923, in New Mexico, the son of Daniel Bruce Leake Sr. (1892-1982) and Ona Blanche Teel Leake (1899-1987). He was married to Mary Ellen "Betty" Sears (1922-1996) on February 06, 1942 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 11, 1942. He was the recipient of an Air Medal and was a World War II veteran. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Deming, New Mexico.
First Lieutenant Lamar Brindley Longshore was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On October 19, 1950, while on a combat mission, he suffered vertigo and the aircraft crashed into the ground. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Longshore was born March 10, 1927, in Washington, D.C., the son of Clinton Lamar Longshore (1909-1982) and Nallie Mae Brindley Longshore (1909-1989). His siblings were Jean Longshore Faulkner and Carol Ann Longshore Roudenbush. Lieutenant Longshore was the recipient of an Air Medal.
On October 21, 1950, while on a combat mission, an F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into a hill between Sunchon and Kunu-ri, North Korea. The pilot's remains were discovered and returned during Operation Glory, 1954.
Killed in Action:
Anderson, Capt. Bergier Albert - Captain Anderson was born July 18, 1924 in San Francisco, California, the son of Beriger F. Anderson (1896-1961) and Marie W. Muhlmann Anderson (1902-1993). A P-47 pilot in World War ll, he was awarded a fifth and sixth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal posthumously. Captain Anderson's remains are buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
DPAA report: On November 5, 1950, a PBM-5 Mariner (bureau number 84765) with twelve crew members took off from Naval Station Sangley Point, Philippine Islands, on a patrol mission up the Formosa Strait. The flight had a scheduled recovery at Naval Base Buckner Bay, Okinawa, where the seaplane tender USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) awaited its arrival. The weather was problematic, with heavy cloud cover and rough seas. The Mariner made a routine position report near the south end of the Formosa Strait but then disappeared for unknown reasons. It did not reach its destination and was not seen again. Extensive searches following the aircraft's disappearance failed to locate any sign of the Mariner or its crew.
Final Search and Recovery Report: CIL 2011-321. From February 20 through March 21, 2011, and from October 30, 2011, to December 3, 2011, personnel from JPAC and personnel from the People's Republic of China excavated a crash site associated in Jiao Shui Gen Village, Feng Huang District, Guangdong Province, P.R.C. Partial records obtained from John Zimmerlee. The aircraft was identified as an aircraft from VP-46, United States Navy, and corresponded to the aircraft reported Missing on or about November 5, 1950. No remains were recovered. The approximate site of the crash was on a mountain about 37.26 miles north of Shantou at a bearing of 6.65 degrees.
Fatalities:
Burt, AL1 James Bryan Jr. (aviation electronicsman) - AL1 Burt was born August 06, 1924, in Ringgold, Texas, the son of James Bryan Burt Sr. (1896-1981) and Grace Mae Dell Burt (Gray) (1903-1989). He was married to Frances Lucille Jaquays Burt (born 1924).
Faubel, AOC Warren Henry (chief aviation ordnanceman) - AOC Faubel was born April 04, 1920, in Nebraska, the son of Heinrich W. George "Henry" Faubel (1887-1962) and Katherine Elizabeth "Katie" Fink Faubel (1894-1971). He was married to Margaret [or Maude] Edith Enmark (1914-2001). His sisters were Lilah Faye Faubel Wagner (1913-1985) and Marjorie Kathryn Faubel Kohl (1926-2016).
Franchino, PNC John (chief aviation pilot) - PNC Franchino was born March 27, 1921, in Herkimer County, New York, the son of Francesco Franchino (1889-1971) and Anna Gargiulo Franchino (1899-1971). He was married to Emma Elizabeth LaCoy Franchino (1915-1993). PNC Franchino was a World War II veteran.
Gardiner, ENS Joseph William - Ensign Gardiner was born November 19, 1928. He was married to Emmy Lou Edwards Gardiner (born 1929).
Henderson, SN Clifford Murry Jr. (seaman) - Seaman Henderson was born May 23, 1930, in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Cliford Murry Henderson Sr. (1908-1981) and Kathleen Hale Henderson (1911-1969).
Larsen, AN Lawrence Oliver (aviation mechanic) - AN Larsen was born June 16, 1931, a son of Lawrence Charles Larsen (d. 2005) and Velma Wilson Larsen (1905-1990). His siblings were Evelyn Louise Larsen Larsen (1919–2011), Robert Alexander Larsen (1924–1973), Perry D. "Pete" Larsen (1934–2021), and Kathleen Larsen Buchanan (1937–2021). AN Larsen attended Woodrow Wilson grade school and Granite High School. He joined the Navy on July 09, 1948.
Milus, ADC Nick (chief aviation ordnanceman) - ADC Milus was born July 23, 1921, in New Mexico, the son of Mike Milus (1893-1967) and Dorothy Godeski Milus (1905-1981). He was married to Marion Olive Briggs Milus (1924-2007).
Mische, LTJG Lester Louis - Lieutenant Mische was born November 16, 1 924, in Kansas, the son of Henry Charles Mische (1896-1973) and Effie C. Mische (1896-1970). He was married to Carol Louise Mische. His brother was Lawrence Gene Mische (1928-1958).
Schwerer, AL1 Raymond Paul (aviation electronicsman) - AL1 Schwerer was born April 14, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of George Schwerer (1898-1994) and Margaret C. Smith Schwerer (1906-1968). He was married to Juanita Rae Schwerer.
Stevenson, ADC Carl Cecil (aviation electronicsman) - ADC Stevenson was born April 30, 1919, Owensboro, Kentucky, a son of William Isaas Stevenson (born 1881) and Mattie Huff Stevenson (1888-1981). He was married to Mary Ethel Thomas Stevenson. His siblings were William, Willard, Paul, Ray, Evelyn (Aebersold) and Margaret Stevenson Anderson. ADC Stevenson graduated from Halleck Hall and then attended duPont Manual High School. He joined the Navy on October 25, 1939.
Wilkes. AD3 Donald (aviation ordnanceman) - AD3 Wilkes was born March 24, 1928, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a son of Thomas Jefferson Wilkes (1895-1958) and Gladys Carson Wilkes (1898-1982). His siblings were Truett George Wilkes (1923-1945) (killed in action in World War II in the Philippines) and Troy Gene Wilkes (1932-1968).
Williams, LTJG Cassius Allen Jr. - Lieutenant Williams was born February 16, 1923, in Seneca County, Ohio, a son of Cassius Allen Williams (1882-1975) and Mary C. Hoppes Williams (1882-1958). He was married to Maude Elva Thurn Jess (1923-1958) on September 23, 1945, and they had a son Chris Williams, age three years old. His brother was Leland K. Williams (1907-1978) and his sister was Pauline M. Williams Habecker (1909-2004). Lieutenant Williams was a World War II veteran.
First Lieutenant George Michael Lukakis was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73570) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On November 6, 1950, while departing on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed and he was unable to jettison his napalm bomb. Lieutenant Lukakis was born January 10, 1924 in Massachusetts, a son of Michael Lukakis (died 1940) and Irene Kaloroumakis Lukakis (1898-1986). His siblings were Mary Lukakis Venetiou (1918-1989), Nicholas Michael "Nike" Lukakis (1920-1999), and John M. Luke (1925-2014). Lieutenant Lukakis enlisted on December 03, 1942. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Chicopee, Massachusetts.
On November 8, 1950, while flying an air-ground control mission, an AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft (45-86149) with the 6148th Tactical Air Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Air Control Group was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded.
Fatalities:
Harrison, 1Lt. Lewis T. Jr. - Lieutenant Harrison was living in Nashville, Arkansas, when he enlisted and was serving as an air-ground controller for the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was seriously wounded when the enemy infiltrated his platoon's position near Kumchon, South Korea on August 2, 1950 and returned to duty on August 26, 1950. On November 8, 1951, while flying in a AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft, it was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded. Lieutenant Harrison was born on September 24, 1922, a son of Lewis Thomas Harrison Sr. (1889-1981) and Matilda Jane "May" Smith Harrison (1890-1984). He was married to Eula Ruth Jones Harrison (1922-2011), and they had a daughter, Emily Anne Harrison (1948-1951). His siblings were Nathan Daniel Harrison (1908-1983) and Joe Hugh Harrison (1917-2009). The recipient of a Silver Star, Lieutenant Harrison is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Zentner, 1Lt. Frederick Otto - Lieutenant Zentner was born February 02, 1920, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the son of Emil John Zentner (1886-1969) and Myrtle Ida Louise Ziebell Zentner ( 1899-1992). He was married to Thrula Mae "Siddy" Lane Sager (later Penner) (1914-1969) in 1944. They had a son Fredrick L. Zentner (1946-2014). His siblings were Phyllis Ruth Zentner Buchanan (1921-2015) and Priscill May Zentner Reid (1932-2009). Lieutenant Zentner is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
The crew was performing a routine flight from Maxwell AFB, Alabama, to Donaldson AFB, South Carolina. While approaching Greenville from the northwest, the aircraft hit the wooded slope of Mt Bully located 13 miles northwest of Pickens, about 34 miles northwest of the Donaldson AFB. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and a fire erupted. All four crew members were killed.
Fatalities:
Bloomer, SSgt. John Davis - Sergeant Bloomer was born March 12, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a son of Edwin McKinley Bloomer (1894-1956) and Edith Mae Davis Bloomer. His siblings were Inga Bloomer, Doris Mae Bloomer Pickens, Marian Florence Bloomer, Roy Earl Bloomer and Adeline E. Bloomer. Sergeant Bloomer is buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.
Lott, SSgt. Walter O. (passenger) - Sergeant Lott was born May 16, 1898, in Wirt County, West Virginia, the son of Walker Buchanon "Buck" Lott (1867-1927) and Lucy Treadway Lott. The KWE believes that his step-mother was Jessie Lena Smith Lott (1888-1965). He was married to Lelia May Stevens Lott (1898-1969) on January 01, 1922. Their children [unconfirmed by the KWE] included Betty B. Lott Kerby (1922-2003), Dorothy E. "Dote" Kerby (1924-2005), Dora Lee Lott Hysell (1928-1999), Violet G. Lott (1936-1936), William John Lott, Ronzel Lott (1933-2025), Peggy Lott Cunningham, Albert Lott, Harold Lott, and Anna Louise Lott Agee (1929-2013). His step-brother was James Earl Lott (1925-1925). Sergeant Lott is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery, Grantsvill, West Virginia.
Schmitt, 1Lt. Robert P. (co-pilot) -
Stuckrath, Capt. John Miles (pilot) - Captain Stuckrath was born January 13, 1921, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a son of William C. Stuckrath (1889-1965) and Ella Marie Rieder Stuckrath (1894-1970). His brother was Robert Warren Stuckrath (1926-2013). Captain Stuckrath is buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.
Captain Bernard Lee Pearson was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#45-11514) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On November 11, 1950, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy troops 3 miles east of Pukchin, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into a nearby ridge. His remains were not recovered. Captain Pearson was born December 14, 1924, in Cape May, New Jersey, the son of Barney Pearson (born 1886) and Bertha Lee Nicholson Pearson (born 1884). He was married to Virginia Louise Pearson. Captain Pearson enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 06, 1943.
On November 13, 1950, while on a combat mission, an AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft (#42-84202) with the 6147th Tactical Air Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Air Control Group crashed two miles north of Koto-ri, Korea. There were two fatalities.
Fatalities:
Holcomb, 1Lt. Lester Allen - Lieutenant Holcomb was born November 29, 1915, in Ohio, the son of Walter Ward Holcomb (1891-1966) and Ida Louise Larson Holcomb (1885-1957). He was married to Dorothy Mae Farnham (later Faught) (1922-2021) on September 08, 1938, in Steuben, Indiana and they had sons Clifton Lester Holcomb (1939-2003) and Russ Holcomb. Lieutenant Holcomb enlisted on November 27, 1942 and served in World War II. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He was killed on the day before he was to ship back to the USA. He is buried in Fort Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg, Ohio.
Warren, MSgt. Leonard Everett - Master Sergeant Warren was a member of Headquarters, 3rd Logistics Command, U.S. Army. On November 13, 1950 he was a passenger on this AT-6D Mosquito observation aircraft. Sergeant Warren was born March 03, 1911, in Watonga, Oklahoma, the son of Lewis Jackson Warren (1884-1962) and Lethia Blanche Yeakley Warren (1887-1966). He was married to Gay L. Murry (1917-?). Sergeant Warren is buried in Kingfisher Cemetery, Kingfisher, Oklahoma.
This P2V Neptune bomber lost its wing, rolled downward clockwise, and distintegrated in a ball of flame into the ocean off Oahu's Kaena Point. Its crew of five were lost. Because of a scheduling mix-up, before the plane took off, the pilot, James Clampet received word that he was to relieve the duty officer. Junior pilot George Irelan voluntarily took Clampet’s place.
On 27 November 2000, the Honolulu Advertiser printed an article on a memorial ceremony for the crew of the P2V that crashed on 27 November 1950. According to the article, the aircraft, equipped with 16 rockets, was conducting a rocket run two miles off Yokohama Bay, near Kaena Point, the western-most end of the island. The starboard wing separated from the aircraft, and it rolled and impacted the ocean. The VP-4 crew of five died. No identifiable remains were found, though some remains were buried together in one casket at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 19, 1951. The 27 Nov 2000 memorial ceremony was held at Yokohama Bay with three dozen friends, relatives and military personnel present. At the end of the ceremony, a VP-4 P-3 flew over and dropped a marker on the exact location of the crash site. Richard Irelan, George Irelan's older brother, presented the Navy with the casket flag that was used in the joint services in Chattanooga. The flag will be displayed at the Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Kane'ohe, the current station for VP-4 ..."
Fatalities:
Irelan, Ens. George Hill - Ensign Irelan was born November 15, 1928, a son of Benjamin Irelan. His siblings were Frank, Richard and Paul Irelan--all World War II veterans. Ensign Irelan graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1946. According one newspaper article, "Irelan was excited about flying with Linn, an experienced pilot who, along with Adm. Richard Byrd, had charted the Antarctic during Operation Highjump in the 1940s."
Linn, Ltjg. Sylvester Jesse Jr. (pilot) - Lieutenant Linn was born May 01, 1924, in Cushing, Oklahoma, a son of Sylvester Jesse Linn Sr. (1895-1973) and Cora Lee Abrocrombie Linn (1897-1985). He was married to JoAnn Taylor (later Arnold) (1926-1978 ) in 1944. His siblings wewre Decima Gyona Linn (1918-1918), Wynema Linn Johnson (1920-2002), Ladema Lee Linn Moore Whitebread Williams (1921-2002), Robert Bruce Linn Sr. (1929-2004) and Tosby Laile "Toss" Linn (1934-2019).
Farris, AL1 Malcolm (radioman) - AL1 Farris was born February 01, 1923, in Rogers, Texas, a son of Ollis E. Farris (1892-1960) and Alice W. Woodruff Farris Coupland (1894-1978). His siblings were Andrew Edison Farris (1912-1963) and Adrian M. Farris (1916-1938).
Neely, AN Harold Thomas (ordnance man) - AN Neely was born April 30, 1930.
Zitkovich, Frank (flight engineer) - Born November 9, 1923, AD1 Zitkovich was from Hinsdale, Illinois, a son of Stepan and Ana Kelicic Zitkovich. His siblings were: Anne T. Zitkovich, Steve Joseph Zitkovich (died 2010), Joseph J. Zitkovich (died 1997), Matthew M. Zitkovich (died 2006), Michael Zitkovich, Michael Mathews, Stephanie McCormick, and Rose Zitkovich (died 2009).
DPAA report: Captain Frederick Gray Hudson III, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Louisiana, was a member of the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. On November 27, 1950, he took off from Pyongyang East Air Base, North Korea, piloting an F-51D Mustang (tail number 45-11560) as the number two aircraft in a three-plane armed reconnaissance mission over North Korea. After making a strafing attack against a camouflaged object on the road south of Sakchu, small pieces of metal began to fall from Captain Hudson's aircraft. The aircraft climbed, rolled twice to the left, and crashed into a ridge. Captain Hudson was not seen to parachute from the F-51D before it went down, and the other pilots on the mission saw no signs of life at the crash site. Enemy presence in the area prevented organized searches for Captain Hudson, who was not seen again. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Captain Hudson, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He is still unaccounted-for. Captain Hudson was born September 12, 1923, in Monroe, Louisiana, the son of Edward Murray Hudson (1898-1972) and Mary Louise Faulk Hudson (1895-1971). His sister was Dorothy "Doll" Hudson Biedenharn (1921-2017). Captain Hudson attended elementary and high school in Monroe. He also attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and Princeton University. He was a 1947 graduate of the United States Misslitary Academy at West Point. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Ensign William Donald Noonan was the pilot of an AD-4 Skyraider dive bomber (#123917) with Attack Squadron 115, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On November 27, 1950 during a snow storm, his aircraft crashed into the sea. His body was not recovered. Ensign Noonan was born May 24, 1929 in Missouri, a son of George Frank Noonan (1890-1974) and Katherine Quinn Noonan (1893-1989). His sibling was Robert Owen Noonan (1923-1984). Ensign Noonan was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.
The only RB-45C lost in combat during the Korean War was 48-015, which was assigned to the 323rd SRS, 91st SRW. The crew was from the 19th BW, Langley Air Force Base, on temporary duty to the 91st SRW. The RB-45 was shot down by MiGs on 4 December 1950. The co-pilot, Major Jules E. Young, and navigator, Capt. James J. Picucci, were killed in action. The pilot and an observer were taken prisoner. The Pentagon assigned observer, Col. John R. Lovell, was deaten to death by North Koreans on 10 December 1950. The pilot, Major Charles E. McDonough, died 31 December 1950 while a prisoner of war.
Lovell, Col. John Raymond (observer) - Col. John Raymond Lovell was born on November 12, 1094, in Ottumwa, Iowa, a son of roy edgar Lovell (1880-1947) and Mae Evans Lovell (1884-1958). He was married to Norma Marie McKaigh Lovell (1903-2000), and they had a daughter, Mrs. Dick (Nancy) Dean. His siblings were Lloyd E. Lovell (1907-1956), Morgan Edgar "Lefty" Lovell (1908-1990), Ruthann Lovell (1912-1967) and Merle Evans Lovell (1914-1915). Colonel Lovell was a graduate of West Point (Class of '27), a former U.S. Olympic boxing team coach and a veteran of Cold War espionage. Colonel Lovell was the highest-ranking intelligence officer lost during the Korean War. Colonel Lovell received the Air Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Purple Heart. During the Korean War, he was with the Directorate of Intelligence, U.S. Air Force. He was placed on temporary duty with the 5th Air Force. On December 4, 1950, while on a reconnaissance mission over the Yalu River, his RB-45C Tornado bomber was shot down by Russian MiG-15s. He was taken prisoner by the Chinese forces, interrogated by the Russians and turned over to the North Korean Armed Forces. He was beaten to death by North Korean civilians on December, 10 1950. His remains were not recovered." He was stationed TDY with the 91st from the was with the Directorate of Intelligence, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon and was, thus, a very valuable target for the communists."
McDonough, Major Charles Edward (pilot) (beaten to death while a POW) - Major McDonough was born April 08, 1919, in Connecticut, the son of Edward C. McDonough (1891-1929) and Elizabeth "Bessie" M. Hoyle McDonough (1896-1999). He was married to Mary Jo McDonough and they had a daughter, Jeanne McDonough Dear. Captain McDonough was in charge of the three top secret RB-45Cs stationed at Yokota AB, Japan which had arrived in September 1950. They belonged to Detachment "A" of the 84th Bomb Squadron, 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. Captain McDonough's RB-45 (Aircraft Number: 48-015) reconnaissance was attacked by 5 Soviet MiG-15s from the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps and shot down (by one according to the interrogation info) on 4 December 1950. He was taken prisoner, interrogated under torture by Soviet (probably in China). Soviet interrogator Fironov said the North Koreans hung a sign around McDonough's neck stating he was a US war criminal, put him on display in a public square, and permitted a mob to beat McDonough to death, on or about 18 December 1950. Major McDonough was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and Air Medal.
Young, Major Jules Edwin (co-pilot) - Major Young was born June 07, 1921, in New York, the son of Edwin and Edith M. Young. During World War II he flew 40 combat missions. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
Picucci, Capt. James Jerome (navigator) - Captain Picucci was born October 23, 1918. He was from New York. Captain Picucci was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross. He was killed in this plane crash.
Major Kenneth Sherrill Hodges, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was a member of the Headquarters Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 6, 1950, he took off from Pusan East Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-51D Mustang (tail number 44-72743A) as the number two aircraft in a two-plane armed reconnaissance mission along main supply routes north of Pyongyang. The mission started by flying over the road from Pyongyang to Sukchon. While flight along the road, the formation made an attack on boxcars in the village of Opari. Major Hodges crashed while making his pass over the target; however, the exact cause of the crash is unknown. The flight leader circled the crash site but saw no signs of survival, and MAJ Hodges was not seen again. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Maj Hodges, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He is still unaccounted-for. Major Hodges was born January 16, 1919 in Idaho, a son of James L. and Francis A. Hodges. He married Lorraine Alice Ross (1919-1992) on May 11, 1943 in Seattle, Washington, and they had an infant daughter at the time Major Hodges went missing. He had a brother, James Hodges. Major Hodges attended college for three years and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on February 11, 1941. He served in Germany during World War II. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
First Lieutenant Robert Roy Williams was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73122) with the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 9, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft stalled and crashed causing his napalm tanks to explode. His remains were not recovered. Llieutenant Williams was born April 28, 1922, in California, the son of George T. Williams. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
1Lt. Adelorde Gene Morency, USMC, of VMO-6, was the pilot of an OY-2 Grasshopper aircraft. The aerial observer was 1Lt. Roy Sheil, USMC. While making a message drop to Marine forces near Sudong-ni, North Korea, at about 100 feet altitude, the aircraft struck wires and went into a flat spin and crashed. The two men were picked up and rushed to a hospital in Hamhung. Lieutenant Sheil was later evacuated to a hospital in Japan with a Brain Concussion. Lieutenant Morency died of wounds enroute to the hospital. Lieutenant Morency was born June 24, 1923, in Cohasset, Minnesot, the son of Axel Morency (1884-`949) and Lena Rose Lemmens Witherill Morency (1886-1960). His siblings were Harold George Witherill (1913–1983), Arnold Thomas Witherill (1915–1987), Elaine Frances Witherill Conway (1916–1959), Georgia Mae Lattery (1917–1989), Theodore Patrick Morency (1925–1987), Mary Lou Morency Goodrie (1929–2022), and John Bernard "Jack" Morency (1933–2021). Lieutenant Morency is buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Cohasset, Minnesota.
Major Neil Richard Johnson was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-84597) with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 12, 1950, during a combat mission, his aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed 500 feet short of the runway at Taegu Airfield (K-2), South Korea. Major Johnson was born February 26, 1919, the son of Walter U. Johnson (1894-1976) and Helen Genevieve Rogers Johnson (1901-1980). In 1942 he was maried to Thelma June Willes Johnson (later Heaphy) (1920-2007), and they had a son Gary Neil Johnson (1946-1997) and a daughter. Major Johnson attended Montana State University 1938=1940, where was was a football and basketball player. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on May 31, 1941. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Second Lieutenant Floyd Albert "Bo" Stephenson Jr. was the pilot of a F-84E Thunderjet fighter with the 523rd Fighter Escort Squadron, 27th Fighter Escort Group. On December 13, 1950, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions south of Sariwon, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and disintegrated. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Stephenson was born August 03, 1 928, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Floyd Albert Stephenson Sr. A graduate of Western High School in Washington, D.C., he attended Virginia Military Institute before graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1949. His sister was Violet Jane Stephenson. Lieutenant Stephenson was the recipient of an Air Medal.
While flying in marginal weather conditions at an altitude of about 4,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt McCreight and was destroyed on December 18, 1950. SAR operations were quickly conducted but eventually suspended after a few days as no trace of the aircraft or the crew was found. The wreckage was eventually spotted by walkers on October 21, 1951 in a dense wooded area located on the Vancouver Island. All 11 crew members were killed. They were performing a training mission from the Whidbey Island NAS, Washington.
Fatalities:
Anderson, LTJG Roy Theodore (pilot) - Born February 22, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, Roy Anderson was a son of Roy Leslie Anderson (1886-1974) and Irene Nichols Peasley Anderson (1888-1987). He was married to Betty Jean Hamilton (later Lewis) (1925-1980) on December 05, 1947. His brother was Alden Peasley Anderson (1925-2018). Lieutenant Anderson is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan.
Bergquist, ALC Milton Edward (1st radioman) - Born August 18, 1923, this World War II veteran is buried with other Bergquist family members in Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington.
Christiana, ATAN James F. (crewman) - Born September 14, 1929, James Christiana was from New York. He is buried in Kattellville Cemetery, Kattellville, New York, next to Harmon T. Christiana (1889-1965) and Mildred Sherman Christiana (1889-1976). Harmon and Mildren's other children were Thelma Sebesla, Myrtle Cahill, Jeane M. Sivers (1925-2002), Lucas R., Harold D., and Harmon T. Jr.
Hancock, AF3 Verl Louis (photographer)- Born August 23, 1926 in Downey, Bannock County, Idaho, Verl is buried in Grove City Cemetery, Blackfoot, Idaho.
Hogaboom, Midshipman George Beverly (navigator) - Born August 11, 1929, George grew up in Central America. While in flight school, he roomed with Neil Armstrong. He was born July 11, 1929, a son of Henry George Hogabgoom (1901-1975) and Margaret Lena Johnson Hogaboom (1908-1996). His brother was Peter Hogaboom (1931-1992). George is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Lunn, AO1 Edward G. (1st Ordnanceman) - AO1 Lunn was born in 1922, the son of George J. Lunn (1903-1977) and Helen M. Lu8nn (1905-1984). He is buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Morris, ENS James Forrest (co-pilot) - Born April 10, 1928, James was from Texas. He is buried in Forreston Cemetery, Forreston, Texas.
Pinne, Lt. Lalonde Martin - Lieutenant was born March 04, 1917, in Butte, Montana, a son of Albert L. Pinne (died 1927) and Gladys M. Pinne (Klinkee) (1891-1968). He was married to Elizabeth Ann Freeman (later McCollam) (1920-1998) in 1942. They were parents of a son. Lieutenant Pinne enlisted in the Navy in 1936. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Sinclair, Frederick John USNR (radarman) - Born September 06, 1 925, he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Stockton, AT2 Robert C. (2nd radioman) - [KWE Note: The only Robert Stockton that we have been able to find is a Robert Stockton born July 20, 1920. That Robert Stockton died in December of 1950, was married, and had two children and three stepchildren. The KWE has no information as to whether this is the right Robert Stockton. We urge our readers to contact the KWE if they have details about Robert C. Stockton.]
Whitehead, Chief Machinists Mate Walter William - Walter Whitehead was born August 31, 1922, in Alameda County, California. He is buried in East Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, California.
On this date the first prototype of Douglas XA2D-1 Skyshark BU#122988 crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, on its 15th flight. The pilot, LTCD Hugh John Edward Wood Jr., was killed. The son of Hugh John Edward Wood Sr. was the recipient of a Navy cross with Gold Star, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with five Gold Stars. Lieutenant Wood is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Captain Ralph Maynard Olson was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74716) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 19, 1950, while returning from a combat mission, his aircraft crashed into the sea one mile short of the runway at Pusan, Korea. Captain Olson was born May 22, 1917 in Minnesota, the son of Lester A. Olson (1893-1943) and Esther Olson McCall (1894-1991). He was married to Norma Jean Koehler (later Pease) (1927-2010) in 1949. His sibliings were Robert Olson and Mrs. Arnie Flom. Captain Olseon attended Winona State Teachers College. In World War II he served in the 10th Army Air Corps. He enlisted on September 26, 1941. He was the recipient of a Bronze Star, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross and Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. Captain Olson is buried in Money Creek Cemetery, Money Creek, Minnesota.
The RAAF's 77th Fighter Squadron lost its sixth pilot on 22 December 1950 when Pilot Officer Donald Campbell "Don" Ellis (F-51 Mustang #A68-726) was shot down by ground fire whilst carrying out a reconnaissance mission near Taedong River east of Pyongyang, North Korea. Sergeant Ellis was born April 13, 1927 in Sydney, Australia.
Second Lieutenant Roger William Bascom was the pilot of a F-84E Thunderjet fighter (#49-2422) with the 522nd Fighter-Escort Squadron, 27th Fighter-Escort Group. On December 24, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed near Kopo-ri, Korea, about five miles southwest of Kimpo Airfield (K-14). Lieutenant Bascom was born June 21, 1927, in Texas, a son of Raymond Eugene Bascom Sr. (1902-1985) and Mabel Sarah Lyons Bascom (1899-1985). His siblings were Raymond, Merle Eugene (1936-2022) and Albert Bascom. Lieutenant Bascom enlisted on January 10, 1946, and received an Air Medal. He is buried in Keene Cemetery, Keene, Texas.
August 05, 1950 - Ens. John Frederick Kail was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#62938) with Fighter Squadron 113 aboard the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On August 5, 1950, while on a combat mission over North Korea, his aircraft suffered a mid-air collision with #63018 piloted by Ens. Glen T. Farnsworth. Kail's aircraft crashed and burned 15 miles south of Kunsan, Korea. Ensign Farnsworth was able to land his damaged aircraft without injury to himself. Ensign Kail was born October 0 5, 1925, the son of Walter Jackson Kail (1888-1976) and Bernice Stalter Class Kail (1898-1998). His siblings were Infant Kail (1929-1929) and Mary Jane Kail Stewart (1922-2009). Ensign Kail is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
August 10, 1950 - #80932 -35 miles southeast of Denver, CO Mid air collision with #81071
August 10, 1950 - Ens. Arthur Wesly Hanton was a pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter bomber (#62995) with Fighter Squadron 54 aboard the carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On August 10, 1950, while on a reconnaissance mission near Chonui, Korea, his aircraft crashed and burned. [KWE Note: Found on the Korean War Project website: John R. Bruning reports in his book,"Crimson Sky", Ens. Arthur Hanton's F4U Corsair was hit by North Korean ground fire, and burst into flames, forcing Ens. Hanton to bail out of his aircraft. He was captured by the North Koreans. The North Koreans tortured Arthur Hanton, tied him to two vehicles, and ripped him apart. His remains were recovered. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery."] Ensign Hanton was born October 08, 1925 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Arthur Wesly Hanton Sr. (1896-1980) and Margaret Elizabeth MacKenzie Hanton (1895-1971).
August 11, 1950 - [KWE Note: Found on the Korean War Project website: "On August 10,1950, Capt. Vivian M.Moses flying in his F4U-4B Corsair aircraft of VMF-323, from the aircraft carrier USS Badoeng Strait-CVE-116 in the thick combat around the Pusan Pocket,was hit by enemy flak, his aircraft lost oil pressure, and sputtered downwards, forcing Captain Moses to parachute into the ocean. A VMO-6 HO3S-1 Sikorsky helicopter based at Chinhae, and piloted by 1Lt. Gustave Lueddeke plucked Captain Moses from the sea, and flew him to Chinhae. The next day, August 11, Captain Moses was one of four VMF-323 Marine Corsair aircraft (#97492) circling over U.N. troops. A large group of North Korean enemy vehicles attempted to exit the battle area, and the Marine VMF-323 Corsairs dove earthwards, amid intense enemy gunfire, bombing and rocketing the enemy vehicle column. Captain Moses' F4U-4B Corsair was hit by enemy gunfire in it's vulnerable oil cooler. Too low in altitude to parachute, Captain Moses attempted a forced landing in a rice paddy, this time Captain Moses was not as lucky as he had been in his crash the day before, and he perished in this crash." Capt. Vivian Mordaunt Moses was born February 22, 1923 in South Carolina, the son of Henry Phillips Moses (1886-1945) and Charlotte Virginia Emanuel Moses (1889-1982). He was survived by siblings: Henry Altamont Moses (1913-1921), Charlotte Virginia Moses (1916-1921), Mary Octavia "Ta" Moses Mahon (1918-2016), Robert Altamont Moses (1921-2022), Captain MOses' twin brother Herbert Altamont Moses (1923-2023), and Richard Phillips Moses (1926-2013). Captain Moses is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
August 18, 1950 - On this date a flight of sixteen F4U Corsairs was returning to the Quonset Point NAS after a formation training flight. As the aircraft were in the process of breaking formation in preparation for landing, two of them, Bu. No. 97173, and Bu. No. 96898 were involved in a mid-air collision. The tail section of #97173 was torn away and the plane plummeted from 1,000 feet and crashed just 15 feet from Hangar 3. The pilot, LTCD Robert Lyons Jungklas, did not survive. The other aircraft was also damaged, but landed safely. The aircraft were assigned to VF-74 at Quonset NAS. Commander Jungklas was born June 14, 1919 in Saginaw, Michigan, a son of William Frederick Jungklas (1884-1943) and Sarah Loreetta Lyons Jungklas (1886-1964). He was married to June Reamy (later Maxwell) (1924-2018) on May 31, 1949. Their son was Robert Lyons Jungklas Jr. His sisters were Mary Jane Jungklas (1916-2016) and Sally Ann Jungklas (1921-1983). His half-sister was Leona Jungklas (1908-1909). Commander Jungklas is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Saginaw, Michigan.
August 19, 1950 - USNA Class of 1936, CDR Raymond William Vogel Jr. was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the Commanding Officer of Carrier Air Group 11, aboard the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On August 19, 1950, he was flying a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#62928) and leading an attack on a railroad bridge in Seoul, Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed. Commander Vogel was born September 24, 1915 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Raymond William Vogel Sr. (1891-1960) and Edna C. Gerstner Vogel (1894-1930). He married Clair Patricia O'Neill (later Foley) (1916-1974). His children included Timothy James "Tim" Vogel (1941-2007), Clair O'Neill Vogel (1945-1957), Raymond William Vogel III, Frederick Vogel, and another daughter. Commander Vogel is buried in United States Naval Academy Cemetery.
August 28, 1950 - #80907 - Cherry Point, NC
August 28, 1950 - 1Lt. Robert Frederick Scott Sr. was killed in the crash of his F4U-4B (#97396) into Osaka Bay, Japan while on landing approach. He had just been part of an operational flight. He and 21 other aircraft were returning from operations off Southern Korea en route to Itami AFB. He was serving with VMF-323, MAG-12, 1st MAW at the time of his loss. This was a non-hostile incident. Lieutenant Scott was born July 21, 1922 in Dallas, Texas, a son of George Hoover Scott Sr. (1894-1979) and Haidee Mae Settle Scott (1897-1950). He married Mary Neel Bringham (later Carlson) (1927-1990) on December 27, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and they had a son Robert Frederick Scott Jr. (1948-2003). His brother was George Hoover Scott Jr. (1918-1937). The recipient of a Silver Star, LIeutenant Scott is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
August 31, 1950 - Capt. James A. English (born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on January 20, 1917), died on August 31, 1950. He was leading his flight of four F4Us in close air support of friendly forces near Pohang-dong, South Korea when his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. He gallantly gave his life for his country. Captain English was a veteran of World War II. In Korea he was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97463) with Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. For his leadership and valor, Captain English was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Gold Stars, the Air Medal with 12 Gold Stars, Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. The KWE believes that his wife was Helen English.
September 10, 1950 - #123199 - 15 mi n, Harrisburg, VA.
September 16, 1950 - Capt. William Franklin Simpson Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97479) with Headquarters Squadron, 33rd Marine Air Group aboard the aircraft carrier USS SICILY (CVE-118). On September 16, 1950, while on a combat mission of attacking enemy tanks near Inchon, Korea, his aircraft struck the ground killing him. His remains were recovered and he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Captain Simpson was born April 08, 1920 in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of William Franklin Simpson Sr. and Maybell Simpson. His Silver Star citation is posted on the Awards page of the Korean War Educator.
September 19, 1950 - Lieutenant Junior Grade Franklin Smith Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81129) with Fighter Squadron 63, Carrier Air Group Two aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Boxer (CV-21). On September 19, 1950, after completing a raid over Korea, as his aircraft landed, it struck the barrier and went overboard inverted. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Smith was born March 30, 1924 in Greenville, South Carolina, the son of Franklin Smith Sr. and Elizabeth B. Smith. He attended Greenville senior high school and Randles Preparatory School in Washington before entering the naval academy. He graduated in the US Naval Academy Class of 1946. There is a marker for him in Arlington National Cemetery.
September 19, 1950 - #81120
September 22, 1950 - 1Lt. John Patrick McLaughlin was the pilot of an F4U-5N Corsair night fighter (#122018) with Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On September 22, 1950, while departing on a combat mission, his aircraft's engine caught fire and the plane crashed. At the time of this incident, VMF(N)-513 was under the control of MAG-12 and based in Itazuke, Japan. His loss is noted at Itazuke in the MAG-12 files. Lieutenant McLaughlin was born May 31, 1918, the son of John and Mary McLaughlin. He was married at the time of the crash to Marthann McLaughlin. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
September 24, 1950 - TSgt. Roy W. "Buddy" White Jr. was a member of Headquarters Squadron, 1st Marine Air Wing. He was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#82021) being ferried from Okinawa to Itami Air Base, Japan. His aircraft collided mid- air with another aircraft piloted by Lt. Edward R. Soncrant. Lieutenant Soncrant landed his damaged plane safely in Southern Kyushu. In World War II he was promoted to officer rank, but reverted to enlisted for Korea. He was originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas. His family was living in Garden Grove, California, at the time of his death. Sergeant White was born January 18, 1923, the son of Ray W. White Sr. and Addie Beth Futral (later Quigley) White (1902-1986). He was the father of Theresa White Eckberg and the brother of Mary Addie White Chaffin (1920-2006).
September 25, 1950 - Ensign William Edmund Brown (Luzerne County, Pennsylvania) was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97457) with Fighter Squadron 53, aboard the carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On September 25, 1950, while on a combat mission near Sariwon, North Korea, his aircraft crash landed possibly due to enemy anti-aircraft fire. His remains were not recovered. It is believed that he was held captive by North Korean forces, held prisoner in Sariwon and later Pyongyang.
September 25, 1950 - Lt.Col. Walter Ernest Lischeid was a pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#63058) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On September 25, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire over Seoul, Korea, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. German heritage. Commanding Officer. Colonel Lischeid was born April 28, 1918 in Minnesota, the son of Justus Lischeid and Elsie H. Lischeid. He was married to Joan Ellen Lischeid (later Damann) (1920-2008) and they had two sons, William E. Lischeid, 13 months old, and Ronald C. Lischeid, 2 1/2 years of age. Their daughter was Victoria Ann Lischeid (1944-1949). Colonel Lischeid was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with three Gold Stars and an Air Medal with three Gold Stars.
September 26, 1950 - #81123 - Corry Field, Florida
September 29, 1950 - Ensign Claude Caesar Howell Jr. was a pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81276) with Fighter Squadron 24 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21), Carrier Air Group Two. On September 29, 1950, after completing a raid on Uijongbu, Korea, his aircraft was struck by ground fire. He parachuted to the ground and was taken prisoner. He was killed on October 2, 1950. Ensign Howell was born October 24, 1;923 in Troy, North Carolina, the son of Claude Caesar Howell Sr. (1889-1938) and Electra Hollar Howell (1895-1990). He was married to Malvine Marie Murphy on August 15, 1950 in Oceana, Virginia. He was the only son in a family of seven children. His sisters were Faith Howell Bruner (1914-2004), Gwendolyn Hope Howell Hodge (1915-2002), Claudia Charity Howell Beck (1917-2019), Joyce Howell McCall (1919-2016), and Nancy Hasseltine Howell D'Ambrosio (1926-2015).
October 03, 1950 - 1Lt. Robert Otis Crocker was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#97098) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 3, 1950, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions near Kycho, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. He survived the crash but was shot and killed by a North Korean rifleman while attempting to get to Marine lines. Lieutenant Crocker was born December 31, 1920 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Carlton Leroy Crocker (1882-1923) and Laura Edna Forret (later Marshall) (1888-1980). His stepfather was Charles F. Marshall. Lieutenant Crocker was married to Luella Mae Nolting (1918-2001). He attended Fitchburg High School in Worcester. He is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Lieutenant Crocker was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
October 06, 1950 -1Lt. Bernard Herman Ross was the pilot of a F4U-5 Corsair fighter (#121839) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 6, 1950, while on a combat mission 20 miles east of Suwon, Korea, his aircraft struck a ridge and crashed. He was the first member of the unit to be lost in Korea. Lieutenant Ross was born March 15, 1921 in Missouri, the son of Herman Charles Ross (1888-1922) and Emmy Maria Sophie Rennau Ross (later Brockelmann) (1889-1953). He was married to Mary Comstock Watson on December 29, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri, and they had two daughters: Pamela, age four, and Jennifer, 11 months old. His brother was Lt. Rennau Herman "Ren" Ross (1917-2008). Lieutenant Ross was a graduate of John Burroughs School and then attended Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri for two years. During World War II he served in the Pacific. After the war he was assistant road foreman of engines for Terminal Railroad Association. Lieutenant Ross is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.
October 17, 1950 - Maj. Richard Alan Polen was the pilot of a F4U-5N Corsair night fighter (#121832) with Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 17, 1950, while on a ferry flight from Airfield K-14 (Kimpo) to Wonsan Airfield (K-25), contact was lost. He remains missing in action. Major Polen was born November 27, 1916, in Portland, Oregon, the son of Harry Polen (1888-1940) and Florence Wiley Cook (later Coble) (1890-1976)). He was married to Betty Riesch (1919-2001), and they were parents of two daughters: Suzanne (Mann), age five at the time her father was in Korea, and one month old Patricia. Major Polen was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross for action in World War II.
October 19, 1950 - #76535 - three miles ne of St. Helens, Oregon
October 26, 1950 - #124523 - eight miles east of Carollton, TX
October 26, 1950 - F4U Corsair WE18 was hit by ground fire during the Chosin Reservoir campaign and crash-landed in North Korea. U.S. Marines rescued the pilot, Lt. Joe Bibby, and then threw hand grenades into the fuselage and cockpit to destroy what the crash didn't.
October 27, 1950 - Corsair #81890 from El Toro, crashed three miles west of Riverside, California on this date as a result of a mid-air collision with F4U #82036. The name of the #81890 Corsair has not yet been found by the KWE. The pilot of F4U Corsair #82036 survived the collision. His name was Willard Olsen.
October 27, 1950 - TSgt. Matthew John Biedka was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#82036) with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 27, 1950, while on a combat mission four miles east of Hwangsuwon-ni, North Korea and near the Chosin Reservoir, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. Sergeant Biedka was born January 06, 1922, the son of John P. Biedka (1894-1969) and Stella Turkosz Biedka (1898-1987). His widow, Sophie K. Biedka, later marrieda Hutton. Sergeant Biedka is buried in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
November 04, 1950 - #96917 - three miles east of Carrizo, CA
November 11, 1950 - MSgt. Boyd Thomas Teague was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81779) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On November 11, 1950, while on a combat mission near the Chosin Reservoir, his aircraft crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. MSgt. Boyd Thomas Teague was born November 30, 1921, in El Cajon, California, a son of Charles Quincey Teague (1878-1955) and Amanda Jackson Summers Teague (1874-1964). His half siblings were Ora Ernest Nelson (1895-1951), Finis Harley Nelson (1908-1993) and Frank David Teague (1906-1952). His siblings were Woodrow Charles Teague (1917-1996) and William Marion Teague (1920-1990). Sergeant Teague was the recipient of an Air Medal.
November 14, 1950 - First Lieutenant Lamar Arnold Knudson was the pilot of a F4U-5 Corsair fighter (#122051) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On November 14, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft's engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing, crashing about halfway between the Chosin and Fusin Reservoirs, North Korea. His body was later recovered and buried in 1st Marine Division Cemetery, Hamhung, Korea. Lieutenant Knudson was born December 04, 1922 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a son of Arnold Arthur Knudson (1892-1930) and Lydia Annie Schelken Knudson (later Graham) (1901-1985). He was married in 1946 to Elizabeth Ann Tillotson. His siblings were Pauline Rosella Knudson Rowley (1920-1989) and Howard Keroy Knudson (1924-1932).
November 20, 1950 - DPAA: Lieutenant Colonel Jack Lambert Brushert joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Wisconsin and served with Marine Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12. On November 20, 1950, he departed Wonsan Air Base piloting an F4U Corsair (bureau #121996, call sign "Flytrain 11") on a nighttime armed reconnaissance mission over the area north of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Prior to reaching the target, Lieutenant Colonel Brushert radioed that he was feeling ill and was returning to Wonsan. His route took him through heavy cloud cover and he became disoriented in the overcast and radioed ground control for directions. He was directed to the closest friendly airfield, Kimpo, but ran out of fuel and was forced to bail out of his aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Brushert was not recovered after bailing out, and was not seen or heard from again. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war or associated with any remains recovered after the end of the war. Lieutenant Colonel Brushert was born January 12, 1918 in Texas, the son of Frank Allen Brushert (born 1894) and May Matelda Lambert Brushert (1895-1942). He was married to Betty Evangeline Dermody (later Witherspoon) (1923-2017) on November 18, 1943 in Orange, California.
November 21, 1950 - DPAA: Captain Walter Donald Bean, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from California, served with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL 29). On November 21, 1950, he launched from the Bataan in a single-seat F4U Corsair (bureau number 121871) on an armed reconnaissance mission over North Korea. While flying off the western coast of North Korea, Captain Bean's Corsair experienced engine failure, and he ditched the aircraft near the shoreline. The aircraft came down hard and broke apart on impact with the water, and other pilots saw no sign that Captain Bean left the aircraft before it sank. His remains could not be recovered at the time, and he was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody after the war. Captain Dean was born August 26, 1923 in Oakland, California, the son of Walter Paris Bean (1888-1971) and Mabel C. Klintberg (1886-1961). He was married to Nancy Lee Anderson on August 12, 1950 in Los Angeles, California. Captain Bean was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star (World War II) and an Air Medal with five Gold Stars. He had siblings.
November 29, 1950 - An F4-U Corsair assigned to Akron Naval Air Station in Akron, Ohio, crashed in a farm field 15 miles north of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Ens. Robert E. Baumbard of Cloverdale, Michigan, died in the crash.
November 30, 1950 - Major Marvin Leland Berg was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of an F4U-5N Corsair (#121974) night fighter with the Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On November 30, 1950, during an air strike near Yudam-ni, North Korea, he reported to his wingman that he was feeling badly and his oxygen was a problem. He lost contact. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 3, 1953. Major Berg was born April 20, 1923 in Borup, Minnesota, the son of Obert Clarence Berg (1898-1952) and Vina E. Veale Berg (1902-1977). He was married to Carmen Beverly Bakken (later Couey) (1924-1975) on October 09, 1943 in Corpus Christi, Texas. They were parents of children Billi Jean Berg (Zippwald) and Marvin Lelad Berg Jr. (1949-2004).
December 03, 1950 - Technical Sergeant Charley Lee Radford was the pilot of a F4U-5 Corsair fighter (#122028) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29). On December 3, 1950, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions five miles west of Koto-ri, Korea, his aircraft struck the side of a hill. 1st Marine Air Wing records cited time as 1315 December 3, 1950, at CV5358, detailed summary of missions flown. Area southwest of Koto-ri in the area of Hill 1250 south of Hamadae-ri at CV531594. Sergeant Radford was born November 19, 1920, a son of John Columbus Radford (1885-1959) and Hester Inez Strickland Radford (1891-1945). He was married to Mary Louise Farr (1921-2001) and they had a daughter, Melda Charlene (McClaran), who was five years old at the time of the crash. His brother was Alfred Radford and his sister was Elsie Radford Wall. Sergeant Radford, who enlisted on November 25, 1940, is buried in Waco Memorial Park, Robinson, Texas.
December 4, 1950 - On December 4, 1950 an F4U (#97231) took off from the USS Leyte CV-32, piloted by Ensign Jesse LeRoy Brown on a ground attack mission over Kot'o-ri near the Chosin Reservoir. Brown was flight leader with wingman F4U Corsair (#82050) piloted by Lt(jg) Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. While flying in formation over the target, Brown was presumably hit by ground fire or small arms fire and reported losing oil pressure and selected a snow covered flat open area to the west of the Chosin Reservoir to make a force landing. During the force landing, Brown sustained injuries and the lower half of his body was trapped inside the cockpit preventing him from extricating himself from the aircraft. While flying in formation over the target, this aircraft was presumably hit by ground fire or small arms fire. While flying in formation, Brown reported losing oil pressure and selected a snow covered flat open area to the west of the Chosin Reservoir to make a force landing. During the force landing, Brown sustained injuries and the lower half of his body was trapped inside the cockpit preventing him from extricating himself from the aircraft. Meanwhile, wingman F4U Corsair 82050 piloted by Lt(jg) Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. who witnessed his flight leader's crash landing and spontaneously decided to force land his aircraft beside Brown. Hudner waded through the snow, finding Brown trapped inside the cockpit and was unable to free him. Seeing smoke, Hudner used a fire extinguisher on the nose of his plane. Returning, Hudner spoke with Brown until he expired from his wounds and exposure.
Simultaneously, a helicopter was dispatched to the site to rescue both pilots. When the helicopter arrived, Hudner used the helicopter's rescue ax in a futile attempt to cut into the aircraft's skin to free Brown's body, but was unsuccessful. The helicopter departed with Hudner, leaving Brown's body at the crash site. Both crash landed Corsairs were reported at approximately Lat 40° 36' N Long 127° 6' E roughly ten miles north of Yudam-ni. On December 6, 1950 an F4U Corsair from VF-32 returned to the crash site and observed Brown's body still inside the cockpit of his aircraft. On December 7, 1950 F4U Corsairs from VF-32 returned to the site and dropped napalm onto both aircraft to destroy them. Brown was officially declared dead the day of the mission and is still listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Presumably, Brown's body was destroyed by the napalm bombs dropped on December 7, 1950. Possibly, Chinese soldiers reached the site prior to the napalm strike and recovered his body or personal effects. Brown is memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 8. Posthumously, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Purple Heart and Republic of Korean War Service Medal. In 1972, Knox-class frigate USS Jesse L. Brown (FF-1089) was named in his honor. [Source: Pacificwrecks.com]
Jesse Brown was born October 13, 1926 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a son of John Dudley Brown (1892-1959) and Julia Anna Lindsey Brown. His brother was William Dudley Brown (1922-2000). Jesse Brown has the distinction of being the first black African-American aviator in United States History.
December 07, 1950 - On December 7, 1950, while making a strafing run on enemy positions near Hagaru-ri, Korea, an F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#63046) with Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Badoeng (CVE-116) was hit by small arms fire and crashed into a hillside. The pilot's remains were not recovered. TSgt. Hugh E. "Whiskey" Newell - Sergeant Newell was born on April 25, 1921 in Lawrence County, Illinois, a son of Orville Raymond Newell (1894-1937) and Edna M. Moore Newell (1894-1978). He was married to Nancy Jane Gleaton (later Farrow) (1025-2005) and they were parents of Natalie and David Newell. His siblings were Margaret Evaline Newell Brown (1918-1992), Thomas Philip "Tom" Newell (1920-2004), Mary Elizabeth Newell Pyatt (1923-1990), James Newell (1924-1925), Martha Newell Rumble (1926-2011), Kelly David Newell (1928-1998), Robert Moore Newell (1930-1955), Esther Newell Spinner (1932-2016) and Arthur E. Newell (1933-1978). Sergeant Newell was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars and an Air Medal with four Gold Stars.
December 07, 1950 - An F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81465) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 311, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing ran out of fuel. The pilot tried to make it to Itami Air Base, but the aircraft crashed seven miles west of the Hami Air base. Capt. John Strickland Jr. was born January 18, 1922, a son of John Strickland Sr. (1894-1981) and Elizabeth Botting Lear Strickland (1896-1948). He was married to Florence Barz and they had a son, John Strickland III. His siblings were Richard (1918-1998), Joseph (1924-1997), Harriet Ann Strickland Hannahs (1920-1981), Mary Strickland Irvin (1926-2008) and Elizabeth Strickland Ring (1928-2015). Captain Strickland was a 1939 graduate of West Chester High School and a 1941 graduate of Rising Sun School of Aeronautics, Philadelphia. He entered the Navy in July 1942 and then transferred to the Marine Corps. During World War II he served in Okinawa. Captain Strickland is buried in Oaklands Cemetery, West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania.
December 10, 1950 - #92154 - Crashed 15 miles northeast of Niagara Falls, New York. One fatality.
December 15, 1950 - Ens. Ronald Eugene Paris was a pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#82061) with the Fighter Squadron 193 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On December 15, 1950, while on a combat mission over Yonpo Airfield three miles south of Koto-ri, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and disintegrated. Ensign Paris was born October 11, 1928, the son of Gilbert Jennings Paris (1900-1965) and Lila F. Cooper Paris (later Lerney). He was a graduate of Argentine High School and attended two years at the University of Kansas. He was a member of Delta Chi fraternity.
December 23, 1950 - Ens. John Richard "Jack" Brinkley was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#96899) with Fighter Squadron 53 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On December 23, 1950, performing close air support through Army controllers north of Hungham, North Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed north of Hungnam, North Korea. His remains were not recovered. His family and friends knew him as "Jack." Ensign Brinkley was born February 10, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Clyde Ward Brinkley (1899-1967) and Charlotte Mildred Tapp Brinkley (1903-1985). His sister was Mary Margerite Brinkley Rohe (1928-2011).
December 24, 1950 - DPAA: Ens. Hugo Vernon Scarsheim, who joined the U.S. Navy from Washington, was a member of Fighter Squadron 193, embarked aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On December 24, 1950, he took off from the Princeton in an F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 81928) to provide close air support to U.S. Marines who had retreated to Hamhung from the Chosin Reservoir area. Witnesses report that, during the mission, ENS Scarsheim's Corsair released a bomb that exploded directly underneath the aircraft, damaging it in the blast. The plane caught fire, crashed, and disintegrated. Ensign Scarsheim was not seen to escape the aircraft before it went down. He was not seen in the wreckage, and enemy presence prevented rescue attempts at the crash site. Ensign Scarsheim's remains have not been located or identified, and he is still unaccounted for. Ensign Scarsheim was born February 27, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Martin F. Scarsheim (died 1961) and Agda Frolich Scarsheim.
On June 28, 1950, while on a combat mission, the flight instruments on B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34238) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group malfunctioned and the plane crashed into the Yellow Sea. Two were killed and one was rescued.
Killed in Action:
Campos, SSgt. Jose Catano Jr. (tailgunner) - Sergeant Campos was born May 16, 1919 in Miami, Arizona, the son of Jose Catano Campos Sr. and Belen Campos. He attended George Washington and Miami High School before joining the Army Air Corps on September 15, 1941. During World War II he flew 100 bombing missions in the European Theater. After discharge on June 21, 1945 he worked for Inspiration Copper Company. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1947. He married Jovita Casillas and they had one daughter Jennie. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Sergeant Campos' remains were recovered and he was buried in Pinal Cemetery, Central Heights, Arizona.
Cyborski, 1Lt. Raymond Joseph (pilot) - Lieutenant Cyborski was born October 25, 1924 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Edna Mae Cyborski. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Rescued:
Lister, 1Lt. Harry Monroe (injured) - Lieutenant Lister was born August 06, 1920 and died January 20, 2010. He retired from the Air Force as a Major.
A B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34478) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group diverted to Itazuke Air Base in bad weather. Later, on a flight from Itazuke to Ashiya, the aircraft crashed near Ashiya Air Base. Reported: Conducted bombing mission against the rail yards at Munsan, 20 miles north of Seoul.
Fatalities:
Goodwin, SSgt. William John - Sergeant Goodwin was born September 28, 1921 in Arkansas, a son of Neal Clark Goodwin (1892-1969) and Jennie Reinstra Goodwin (1899-1974). His brother was Arthur Goodwin. A World War II veteran who enlisted on September 11, 1942, Sergeant Goodwin is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
Harding, 1Lt. Remer Laverne - Lieutenant Harding was born February 05, 1924 in Ellis, Texas, the son of Willard Jefferson Harding and Azale O'Neal Harding. He was married to Barbara Patricia Conkling (later Bailey) (1927-2020) and they had a son Richard Lane Harding (1950-2014). Killed on his second wedding anniversary, Lieutenant Harding is buried in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.
DPAA: On the morning of June 29, 1950, a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-34339A) with a crew of two departed Ashiya Air Base, Japan. The briefed mission was a six-aircraft flight on a daylight interdiction operation against targets north of Seoul. After successfully bombing their primary targets, the flight began looking for targets of opportunity. While strafing an enemy train carrying ammunition near Sonyu-ri, the Invader was struck by exploding ordnance. As the pilot attempted to recover, the B-26 flew into electrical wires and crashed near the town of Ilsan-ri. Local villagers reported that both occupants were killed instantly and that their remains were taken to the North Korean Army Headquarters in Seoul.
Killed in Action:
Avarello, 2Lt. Charles B. "Baldy" (pilot) - Lieutenant Avarello was born December 18, 1927, in Buffalo, New York, the son of Joseph and Antoinette (Olivia) Emanuel Avarello of Buffalo, New York.
Olson, TSgt. Maurice Arthur - Sergeant Olson was born January 05, 1926 in Minnesota, a son of Carl Peder Olson (1889-1973) and Mathilda Geneva Anderson Olson (1892-1968). His siblings were Clarice Elaine Olson Hallisey (1916-1991), Carl Sherman Olson (1919-1920), Robert Carl Olson (1920-2003), Henry Warren Olson (1922-1992) and Lorraine Phyllis Olson Thompson (1924-1996). Sergerant Olson enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 12, 1941.
USAF reports this plane ran out of fuel after a successful bombing run over Seoul and was forced to ditch at sea off the coast of Fukae-shima, Japan. The surviving pilot reports there was an underwater explosion after they ditched and he was knocked unconscious. While the pilot, Capt. Jack Eno was rescued, no sign of Staff Sergeant Fluke was found during extensive search by personnel from a nearby radar station. Captain Eno, in a letter describing the incident, reported a bomb had shook loose and stuck in the bomb bay during the run. This is the probable cause of the underwater explosion, he reported. He also reported Staff Sergeant Fluke had chosen to stay with the aircraft during the ditching instead of bailing out before.
Killed in Action:
Fluke, SSgt. Robert Williams (tailgunner) - Sergeant Fluke was born October 19, 1924, the son of William H. Fluke and Alma Williams Yount Fluke (later Kelley) (1901-1958). On May 21, 1945 he married Frances Louise Blakeslee and they had a daughter, Sandra L. Fluke (later Knutson), who was four years old at the time of the crash. Sergeant Fluke was a World War II veteran.
Rescued:
Eno, 1Lt. Jack B. II (pilot) - Lieutenant Eno was born in 1922 and died in 1971. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing, Michigan.
A B-26B Invader bomber (#44-43240) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was on a night mission on July 6, 1950 when the aircraft's bomb was released at low altitude and its blast destroyed the aircraft.
Fatalities:
Chumak, AB Edward (tailgunner) - Airman Chumak was born July 02, 1930, a son of Paul Chumak (1893-1973) and Julia Chumak (1903-1973). His brothers were Ralph Chumak (1931-2018) and Walter (1937-1954). Airman Chumak is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Moore, 1Lt. David Alexander "Danny" - Lieutenant Moore was born July 09, 1920 in Sierra Madre, California, the son of John Perry Moore and Susan Ellen Fitzsimmons Moore. He was married on February 17, 1946 in Los Angeles, California, to Bonita Angie "Ping" Williams (later Luby) (1919-2016). They were parents of a three-year-old daughter Sharon and a son David (born one week after the plane crash). A World War II veteran who enlisted on December 30, 1942, Lieutenant Moore is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.
-A B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34234) with 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group crashed into a mountain while attacking a column of enemy tanks near Chong-ju.
Fatalities:
McNeill, SSgt. Lewis Otha Jr. - Sergeant McNeill was born May 26, 1918 in Illinois, the son of Lewis and Dathel Z. McNeill. He was married to Gladys L. Menees and they were parents of five children: Betty, Pete, Charles, Judy, and Louise (ages 11 years to 7 months old). A World War II veteran that served in the Pacific, he is buried in Beechwood (formerly Thistlewood) Cemetery, Mounds, Illinois. He enlisted on September 22, 1943.
O'Connell, 1Lt. William Thomas "Okie" Jr. - Lieutenant O'Connell was born March 09, 1926 in New York, New York, a son of William Thomas O'Connell Sr. His siblings were Theesa O'Connell and Arthur O'Connell. Lieutenant O'Connell, a graduate of the USMA Class of 1948, shares a grave with Captain Sizemore in Arlington National Cemetery.
Sizemore, Capt. Zemria Vance - Captain Sizemore was the bombardier on this B-26. He was born January 27, 1921 in Haywood, North Carolina, the son of Orville S. Sizemore and Fannie N.V. Townsend Sizemore. He was married to Dorothy C. Sizemore and they had a son David. Captain Sizemore enlisted in the Air Corps on March 13, 1942.
DPAA: On September 2, 1950, a B-26 Invader (44-34373)) with three crew members took off as the lead in a flight of four aircraft on a bombing mission against enemy railroads near Iti, South Korea. This Invader's target was the railroad track running west from Iti to Kunsan. As the aircraft flew along the tracks at low altitude, it struck a high tension tower and crashed into the village of Kwangya-ri, causing an explosion that killed the three crew members and several villagers. Locals buried the bodies of two of the crew members, which were eventually recovered by U.S. Army Graves Registration Service personnel; however, the remains of the third crew member were not recovered, as they were reportedly cremated by the villagers.
Killed in Action:
Colvard, Sgt. Roy Paul Jr. (tailgunner) (body recovered) - Sergeant Colvard was born October 15, 1929 in Minnesota, the son of Roy Paul Colvard Sr. (1907-1976) and Bessie M. Colvard (1906-1970). He is b uried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
LaBarge, 1Lt. Francis John "Jack" (pilot) (body recovered) - Lieutenant LaBarge was born June 24, 1928, the son of Francis E. LaBarge (1904-1977) and Julia Ann Girard LaBarge (1903-1939). He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 28, 1946. Lieutenant LaBarge is buried in Holy Name Cemetery, Faust, New York.
Zeiher, SSgt. George Thomas (tailgunner) (missing in action) - Sergeant Zeiher was born October 05, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of George J. Zeiher. He married Marguerite Ann Jones (later Blackwell-Phegley) (1927-1999) on August 03, 1948 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His siblings included Marie Zeiher Kummer. A World War II veteran, Sergent Zeiher attended Woodrow Wilson Junior High School and Olney High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 18, 1942.
2 Lt. Richard Davis Bartley was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#47-479) with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 16, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti- aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames near Kuji, 35 miles southwest of Taegu, South Korea. Lieutenant Bartley was born May 26, 1927 in Los Angeles, California, the son of Paris Harwood Bartley (1894-1995) and Eva Faye Davis Bartley (1900-1953). His brother was Don Carter Bartley (1924-2012). Lieutenant Bartley, who enlisted on October 07, 1948, is buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.
On September 30, 1950, while on a night intruder mission, a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34685) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Wing was hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed into the ocean near Wonsan, North Korea and exploded.
Missing in Action:
Bruzelius, Sgt. David Jr. (tailgunner) - Sergeant Bruzelius was born June 11, 1931, the son of Rev. David B. Bruzelius (1903-1951) and Nellie Narcissa Bruzelius (later Long) (1900-1977). Sergeant Bruzelius earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Gallagher, 1Lt. Lawrence William (pilot) - Lieutenant Gallagher was born November 22, 1924, the son of Vincent A. Gallagher (1897-1972) and Alberta S. Gallagher (1904-1983). His sister was Phyllis Gallagher Shurter (1928-1974). He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 13, 1942 and received the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
Matton, Sgt. Andre Joseph (bombardier) - Sergeant Matton was born August 31, 1925 in Massachusetts, the son of Philias Victor Matton (1879-1957) and Lucine Ross Matton (1881-1962). His siblings included an infant sister (1918-1918), Eva Matton (1906-1907), Anna Matton (1913-1917), Philias Matton, Lionel Matton, Emil Matton, Noella Matton (Barnaby (1911-2002), Mrs. Andre Gagne, and Phyllis Matton Luvu.
On October 3, 1950, while on a night intruder mission, B-26B Invader bomber with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group (#44-34237) was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed one mile north of Hangju.
Killed in Action:
Dorsey, TSgt. Joyce Merlin (tailgunner) - Sergeant Dorsey was born July 16, 1925 in Ashland, Kansas, the son of Henry L. Dorsey (1897-1969) and Lulu Edna Smith Dorsey (1900-1986). Sergeant Dorsey was a World War II veteran that served in the 8th Air Force in the European Theatre. His siblings were Marvin J. "Jack" Dorsey (1930-2018), Jacob Robert Dorsey (1934-1992), Kenneth Dorsey, Henry Dorsey, and Dwight Dorsey.
Hallum, Capt. Allen Lynnwood (bombardier) - Captain Hallum was born December 02, 1921 in Fannin, Texas, the son of Allen Lynwood Hallum (1895-1921) and Edna Jewel Sharp Hallum (later Smith). His stepfather was Frank S. Smith. Captain Hallum and his wife Doris had a daughter Linda Marie, who was born after her father was declared missing in action. His half siblings were Theresa Belle Trockmorton (1923-1992), Henrietta Christine Weber (1927-2016), Doris Jean "Tootie" Goldsborough (1932-2021), Billye Jeane Smith Noyes (1929-1994) and Robert Bruce Smith (1925-1986). Captain Hallum graduated from Hereford High School and then attended Commercial School of Art in San Antonio, Texas. He served in the South Pacific during World War II and was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Walton, 1Lt. Lucius Prewett (pilot) - LIeutenant Walton was born January 20, 1928 in Louisiana, the son of Clarence Leon Walton (1892-1940) and Doris E. Walton (Johnson). Lieutenant Walton spent his childhood in Moroe and attended Ouachita Parish schools.
On October 3, 1950 while on a night intruder mission in the Pyongyang to Wonsan area, contact with a B- 26B Invader bomber (#44-34233) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was lost. The remains of the crew members were recovered in Operation Glory.
Killed in Action:
Glakeler, SSgt Robert Thomas (tailgunner) - Sergeant Glakeler was born January 13, 1912 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the son of Thomas Lee Glakeler (1886-1963) and Georgia Ella O'Neal Glakeler (1888-1965). His wife was Flora Bernice Dale Glakeler of Las Vegas, Nevada. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters. Sergeant Glakeler is buried in Restland Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas.
Pierce, Capt. Luther Herman (navigator) - Captain Pierce was born March 02, 1915 in Easton, Massachusetts, a son of Edward Thomas Pierce (188301950) and Josephine Stephanie Philla Pierce (1890-1970). His wife was Mabel L. "Whitie" Pierce. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Smith, Capt. Gordon Oliver (pilot) - Captain Smith was born March 31, 1923, the son of Emmett John Smith (1869-1925) and Gertrude Letitia Moore Smith (1887-1959). He was married to Mary Lon Smith (later Johnson) (1926-2001). Captain Smith enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 12, 1942. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Fatality:
1Lt. Stanley Everette "Fetch" Wafle was the pilot of a B-26B Invader bomber (# unknown) with the 162nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 543rd Tactical Support Group. On October 4, 1950, it is reported that his aircraft crashed on landing at Itazuke Air Force Base, Fukuoka, Japan. Two other aircraft were involved. His remains were recovered. Lieutenant Wafle was born on December 17, 1919, in Warsaw, Virginia, a son of John Floyd Wafle (1878-1939) and Emma May Lumpkin Wafle (1886-1932). He and his wife Anna Louise were married on December 24, 1944, but divorced in June of 1947. Lieutenant Wafle's siblings were Caleb B. Wafle, Mabel F. Wafle Toombs Foster (1907-1997), Dorothy Emmeline "Dot" Wafle Kuhn (1926-1989), Lewis Lee Wafle (1912-1931), Robert Ole "Unkie" Wafle (1914-`970), James Floyd Wafle (1917-1978) and Clara Mae Wafle Hoverson (1921-1993). Lieutenant Wafle is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
On October 19, 1950, while participating in a night intruder mission over Sinanju, Korea in bad weather, contact with B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34223) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Wing, based at Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, was lost.
Milligan, 1Lt. Aychie Clark (navigator) - Lieutenant Milligan was born April 18, 1920 in Charleston County, South Carolina, a son of Edward D. Milligan (1895-1978) and Lillian A. Clark Mulligan (1898-1968). In 1947 he married Dorothy Ann Christopher Milligan (later Hillburg) (1922-2010). They had a son, James Milligan, who was five years old when his father was declared missing. Lieutenant Milligan's brother was Edward Oliver Milligan (1925-1965). Lieutenant Milligan was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Paffenroth, Capt. Albert William (pilot) - Captain Paffenroth was born April 25, 1920 in Wisconsin, a son of John Paffenroth (1895-1958) and Mary Elisabeth Merkle Paffenroth (1899-1982). He was married with sons Albert William Paffenroth Jr. and Allen Paffenroth, and a daughter. Captain Paffenroth enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 10, 1942 during World War II. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters.
Quider, TSgt. Chester Darwin "Tommy" (tailgunner) - Sergeant Quider was born January 16, 1926, the son of Chester Joseph Quider (1899-1959) and Marion R. Brady Quider (later Stark) (b. 1905). He was married to Mary Florence Murphy Quider (1927-2013) and they had children Sherry Quider Murphy, Karan Quider Mason and Tommie Jean Quider.
1Lt. Charles Henry Boone was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On November 17, 1950, while returning from a combat mission, his engine flamed out. He overshot Seoul Airfield (K-16) and crashed into the Han River. Lieutenant Boone was born October 02, 1923 in Mississippi, the son of Cornelius Blincoe Boone (1899-1971) and Elizabeth "Bessie" McNamara Boone (1895-1976). He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 9, 1942. He is buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Misssissippi.
SSgt. Francis W. "Frank" Obzina was a crew member of a B- 26B Invader bomber (#44-34149) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group. On November 28, 1950, while on a day interdiction of the enemy, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed 65 miles northwest of Taegu. His parachute became entangled with the aircraft and he was killed. Sergeant Obzina was born October 06, 1918 in Butte, Montana. His mother was Ida Bauffay Obzina (also known by last names Diesen and Foster) (born 1893 and died in Oregon). Sergeant Obzina was married to Jean L. Obzina. During World War II he flew 40 missions and in Korea he flew 75 combat missions. He is buried in Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington. Rescued after the crash was Capt. Joseph Stein.
DPAA: On November 30, 1950, a B-26 Invader (serial number 44-35941, call sign "Duncan Dog Seven" and nicknamed "Black Noop Gnat") took off from Iwakuni Air Base carrying three crew members on a combat mission against enemy forces in North Korea. The intended targets included enemy troop concentrations and vehicle convoys in the Chunma Mountains in northwestern Korea. The Invader was contacted by radio on the morning of December 1, when it flying was near Seoul, South Korea and still en route to its targets. However, the aircraft was not heard from again and never returned from the mission. A search of friendly airfields found no sign of "Black Noop Gnat" or its crew. Because of unknown circumstances surrounding the loss area in enemy-held territory, no crash site was located. The three crew members aboard the aircraft remain unaccounted-for.
Batty, Capt. Claude Albert Jr. (pilot) - Captain Batty was born May 17, 1918 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Claude Albert Batty Sr. (1894-1954) and Alma Mathilda Deines Batty (1893-1991). He was married to Marguerite Jane Patton (1923-2007) on January 13, 1940. His sister was Dona Batty Reeves-Marquardt. A World War II veteran, Captain Batty enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 20, 1944.
Coulter, 1Lt. John Robert - Lieutenant Coulter was born June 14, 1925 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the son of Ottley Russell Coulter (1890-1976) and Ethel Grace Alexander Coulter (1898-1972). His siblings were Athelda (Mrs. Clarence Klink) and David Batty. According to a message on the Korean War Project website, he was the father of Mary Boal, whose mother was Jean Marie Allen. His siblings were David Coulter and Mrs. Clarence (Athelda Coulter) Klink. Lieutenant Coulter was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters.
Kepley, Capt. Walter Maurice ( navigator) - Captain Kepley was born May 07, 1925 in Logan, Oklahoma, the son of Byron Ranson Kepley (1910-1944) (killed on Saipan in World War II) and Nele Rita Barnebey Kepley (1905-1995). His sister was Betty Lou Kepley Shaw (1922-1998). He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA report: Midmorning on December 2, 1950, a B-26C Invader (tail number 44-35874) departed Itazuki Air Base, Japan, with a crew of three aviators, as the number two aircraft in a flight of four. The briefed mission was a low-level bombing operation supporting United Nations forces under attack approximately 50 miles north of Pyongyang. As the flight approached the target area, they were instructed by the forward air controller to attack pre-planned targets at Pakchon. On the flight's second pass, the flight leader narrowly missed several powerlines; as Hobba pulled off the target, the number two-B-26 suddenly exploded crashing near the target. Witnesses in a LTG-6 Texan reconnoitering the Pakchon area reported the Invader hit a ridge one-half mile southeast of the town and slide down into the valley, burning during its descent; it is unlikely anyone survived the crash.
Missing in Action:
Hobba, Capt. William Otis (navigator) - Captain Hobba was born October 09, 1924 in Los Angeles, California, the son of William John Hobba (1902-1966) and Geneva May English Hobba (1905-1980). Captain Hobba was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Hunter, Capt. William Ralph (pilot) - Captain Hunter was born July 19, 1919 in California, a son of William Thomas "Bill" Hunter (1888-1969) and Gertrude "Dado" Kennedy Hunter (1890-1975). His siblings were Otis Dell "Buster" Hunter (1912-1999) and Evelyn Zelma Hunter (Stella) (1914-2007). Captain Hunter received a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Overton, Sgt. Donald Wesley (tailgunner) - Sergeant Overton was born April 30, 1926, the son of Harry Barton Overton (1903-1999) and Virginia Hattie Overton (later Hutcheson) (1906-1974).
DPAA: Late in the afternoon on December 6, 1950, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34222) departed Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, with a crew of three. The briefed mission was a night intruder operation north of Seoul, Korea. Due to a solid cloud cover over most of Korea, they were forced to drop their payload based on an estimated time of arrival and began searching for targets of opportunity. Unable to see any terrain features, the pilot decided to return to base by way of Seoul and Teagu. Inclement weather interfered with navigation and radio equipment throughout the flight, making it difficult to stay on course. When the fuel was almost exhausted, the pilot was able to contact two ground stations in Japan, which provided a course to Japan. Unfortunately, before the Invader could reach land, the engines cut out and it became necessary to bail out. The next day, the navigator was rescued. Rescuers were unable to locate the pilot or the gunner, and both men remain unaccounted-for.
McFee, SSgt. Claude Douglas (MIA) - Sergeant McFee was born on April 21, 1928 in Houston, Texas, a son of Claude McFee (1905-1972) and Bessie Virginia Clark McFee (1909-1999). His brother was Bram McFee. A World War II veteran, he enlisted on April 09, 1946.
Tahsequah, LTC Meech (MIA) - Lieutenant Colonel Tahsequah was born October 27, 1918 in Lawton, Oklahoma, a son of George and Pansy Sapcut Tahsequah. His other parent was Charlie Komah (1894-1955). LTC Tahsequah was married to Flaurel Evelyn Landrum Tahsequah (later Oliver) (1920-2010). Their children were Donald G. Tahsequah (1941-1961) and twin sons, Larry Wallace Tahsequah (1944-1944) and Gary Wayne Tahsequah (1914-2011). His siblings were Austin T. Komah (1913-1974), Marguritte Wilson (1920-1998), Pauline Jane Komah Tahsequah McCully (1921-2012) and Kenneth Lee Komah (1923-1973. LTC Tahsequah, a Native American Comanche, was a World War II and Korean War veteran who received a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Rescued:
Lewis, Capt. Jack
B-26 #44-35992 crashed in light snow about 1,800 feet short of the runway of the Bolling AFB while performing a local training sortie. The plane somersaulted into a corrugated metal supply building. Two crew members were killed.
Fatalities:
Lowe, Capt. Ralph Zelmore Jr. - Captain Lowe was born October 01, 1920 in Galveston, Texas, a son of Ralph Zelmore Lowe Sr. (1891-1971) and Mary Grace Roberti Lowe (1895-1992). His siblings were Douglas Marius Lowe (1926-2001), George Lowe and Olivette Lowe Rule. Captain Lowe, a World War II and Korean War veteran, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Sapp, SSgt. Eugene C. - Sergeant Sapp was born May 26, 1921, the son of Charles Robert Sapp (1891-1953) of Louisiana, Missouri and Lea Venita Sapp Mariweather (1893-1975) of Moline, Illinois. His siblings were Alonzo C. Sapp (1912-1996), Otha Marie Sapp Perkey (1916-2010), Nola V. Sapp Heflin (1926-2018), and John Gay Sapp (1930-2013). Sergeant Sapp is buried in Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois.
DPAA: Midmorning on December 20, 1950, a B-26 Invader with a crew of four aviators (tail number 44-35992) departed Miho Air Base, Japan, as the lead aircraft in a flight of six. The briefed mission was daylight-bombing operations targeting in Kangdong, North Korea. Shortly after take-off, the flight proceeded into the clouds that covered the airfield at the time. When the flight leader’s wingman broke through the cloud cover, he was unable to locate the lead aircraft. All of his radio calls to the missing aircraft went unanswered. The flight leader’s wingman immediately contacted Air Sea Rescue, which began its search which continued through December; all search operations ended with negative results. Later, an eyewitness account from the captain of a small Japanese fishing boat revealed that the missing aircraft had crashed into the Sea of Japan. Subsequent recovery of a propeller blade and a parachute, identified as the pilot’s, confirmed that this aircraft was the missing Invader. Additionally, the immediate search conducted by the captain of the Japanese fishing boat found no evidence of survivors.
Killed in Action:
Fitt, 1LT John Mason (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Fitt was born September 07, 1924 in Winnepeg, Canada, the son of Albert J. and Hilda Fitt of Winnepeg. His sister was Dorothy E. Fitt. He was married to Patsie Sourwine and they had sons Mark Mason Fitt (3 1/2 years old) and Brandon Jay Fitt (18 months old). He attended Albambra High School and then transferred to Mark Keppel High School, where he was a star athlete. In civilian life he was a painter-decorator. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 20, 1943 and was in the Reserves after World War II. He was recalled to service during the Korean War, arriving in Korea on October 01, 1950. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Hiatt, Maj. William Holmes (pilot) - Major Hiatt was born February 13, 1921 in Madison, Iowa, the son of Ernest Bradfield Hiatt and Catherine Luella Spencer Hiatt. He was married to Virginia Robey Hiatt and they had a son and daughter. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 16, 1941.
Upton, Sgt. Richard Raymond (tailgunner) - Sergeant Upton was born January 06, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Richard John and Christine H. Gould Upton. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on June 10, 1944 and was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Watkins, Capt. Norman Edward ((co-pilot) - Captain Watkins was born July 22, 1914 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, the son of Edward and Marian Jones Watkins of England. He married Helen Louise Young Watkins on March 16, 1945. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medasl with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
DPAA: On December 27, 1950, a B-26 Invader (44-35758) with a crew of four took off from Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, on a night intruder mission over North Korea. While flying over South Korea, en route to the target area, the B-26 contacted an air controller to report that they were experiencing no difficulties, and the flight was proceeding as planned. This was the last contact made with the aircraft, which failed to return from the mission. The exact circumstances surrounding the Invader's loss are unknown. The aircraft's navigator was later discovered to have been a prisoner of war who died while in enemy custody; his remains were returned to the U.S. after the war. The other three members of the Invader's crew are still unaccounted for.
Gehman, 2Lt. Robert A. (navigator) (POW - body recovered) - Lieutenant Gehman was born November 28, 1923, the son of Ivan and Margaret Gehman of Linwood, New Jersey.
George, MSgt. Winiford Robert "Bubber" (bombardier) (MIA) - Sergeant George was born August 12, 1921 in Early County, Georgia, a son of Lonnie Calvin George (1897-1972) and Niza Lee Sheffield George (1900-1989). His siblings were Eugene N. (1925-1962), Bob Allen (1931-2023), Willie Joe "Amos" (1934-2017) and Charlie Dick George (1937-2024). Sergeant George enlisted October 31, 1945 and was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Guthrie, SSgt. Marvin Lee (tailgunner) (MIA) - Sergeant Guthrie was born January 25, 1917 in Alabama, the son of James Lee and Mary F.E. Guthrie. When Marvin Guthrie enlisted on November 29, 1945, he was married. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Kuehner, Capt. Gordon Voelker Jr. (pilot) (MIA) - Captain Kuehner was born July 14, 1922 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a son of Gordon Voelker Kuehner Sr. (1892-1948) and Beatrice Wright Kuehner (later Dewing) (1897-1967. Captain Kuehner's brother was 2Lt. Richard S. Kuehner, who was killed in action in France during World War II. Captain Kuehner was the recipient of an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
On December 29, 1950, a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-34705A) with a crew of three departed Miho Air Base, Japan, as part of a five-plane tactical bombing mission targeting enemy holdings in Sunchon, Korea. As the formation made a low-level pass over the target area, the Invader was hit by enemy fire and crashed. The other aircraft in the formation circled the crash site, but saw no sign of survivors. Enemy presence prevented ground searches of the area, and all three members of the Invader's crew remain unaccounted-for.
Aiken, Cpl. James Richie "Jimmie" (bombardier) (MIA) - Corporal Aiken was born January 20, 1931 in Illinois, the only son of Winton James Aiken (1904-1978) and Lillie Opal Snow (later Peterson) (1911-1995). He was married to Virginia Lee Collier on April 01, 1948 in Los Angeles, California. Corporal Aiken was the recipient of an Air Medal.
McNamara, Capt. Martin Jerome (MIA) - Captain McNamara was born April 04, 1916 in New York. He was the husband of Eleanor Loraine McNamara. He enlisted on March 13, 1944. Captain McNamara was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Victor, 1LT Irwin Louis Jr. "Bus" (co-pilot) (KIA) - Lieutenant Victor was born July 27, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Irwin Louis Victor Sr. (1892-1971) and Francis "Frankie" Bohn Victor. He had one sister, Dorothy Mae Victor. Lieutenant Victor enlisted in the Army Air Corps on April 10, 1942. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Major Amos Leslie Sluder was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-711) and the commanding officer of the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 3, 1950, while on an armed reconnaissance mission, he saw a column of 90 North Korean armored vehicles approaching American positions near Pangyo-ri, South Korea. While destroying these vehicles, he was attacked by a North Korean aircraft and was shot down. Major Sluder was born August 23, 1917 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, the son of Amos Estie Sluder (1891-1972) and Essie Rymer Sluder (1890-1977). He was married to Ramona Westbury (later Hale) (1920-2018). Major Sluder enlisted on December 30, 1940. He is buried in Saint George UDC Cemetery, Saint George, South Carolina.
Capt. Eugene Ralph "Gene" Hansen was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (tail number unknown) with the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 7, 1950, after making repeated passes at enemy targets and receiving ground fire near Kaso-ri, Korea, his aircraft burst into flames and he bailed out but was killed during descent. Lieutenant Hansen was born July 08, 1924, in Herman, Nebraska, a son of Harold Peter Ivar Hansen Sr. (1893-1972) and Effie Devall Hansen (1901-1977). On October 05, 1947 he married Florence Wilma Layman (later Crowder) (1926-2017). They had no children. His siblings were Harold Peter Ivar Hansen Jr (1922–1992), Howard Allen Hansen (1923–1966), Clyde Wilbur Hansen (1925–2021), Ruby June Hansen Peters Dibble (1927–2013), and Ella Yvonne "Bonnie" Hansen Williams (1939–1997). Lieutenant Hansen's remains were recovered in November 1951 and they were returned to the States for burial in Memorial Cemetery, Fremont, Nebraska, in March of 1952. Lieutenant Hansen was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA: Second Lieutenant Donald Arthur Schwartz, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Nebraska, was assigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On July 7, 1950, he departed Ashiya Air Base, Japan, piloting an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-535) in a flight of three Shooting Stars. The briefed mission was an armed reconnaissance operation targeting enemy formations south of Suwon, South Korea. Due to weather conditions, the formation separated as they attacked the enemy tanks and trucks along the road below. As the weather got worse and their fuel began to run low, the three Shooting Stars had to disengage and return to base. During the return flight, 2nd Lt Schwartz became disoriented. With the help of the number three pilot and air controllers, 2nd Lt Schwartz was able to orient his aircraft over Iki Shima island and once again headed for home. As he approached the Fukuoka mountain range near the coast of Japan, 2nd Lt Schwartz reported that he had only ten gallons of fuel remaining. This was the last anyone heard from 2nd Lt Schwartz. An extensive two-day air and sea search was dispatched to locate 2nd Lt Schwartz but was unsuccessful. He remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Schwartz was born July 26, 1927 in Nebraska, the son of Joseph P. and Melanie M. Schwartz. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA: First Lieutenant Leon Waddell Pollard Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from Texas, was a member of the 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On July 9, 1950, he took off from Itazuke Air Base, Japan, in a single-seat F-80C Shooting Star (tail number unknown) as one in a flight of three aircraft. The briefed mission was a ground attack against enemy targets in Korea. While returning to Itazuke, 1st Lt Pollard's aircraft became separated from the formation and disappeared in an overcast. His last known position was several miles northeast of Itazuke, and he never returned to base. He was not seen or heard from again, and he remains unaccounted for.. Lieutenant Pollard was born March 16, 1926 in Asherton, Texas, a son of Leon Waddell Pollard Sr. (1902-1981) and Viola Estell Dullnig Pollard. He married Miss Bobby Walker. His siblings and half-siblings were John Marshall "Butch" Pollard (1942-2007), Charles D. Pollard, Tom Pollard, Jan Elizabeth Pollard Thomas (1953-2010) and Martha Pollard Nickerson. His stepmother was Margery Rachel Hausler Pollard. Lieutenant Pollard graduated from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas and then Texas A&M. He enlisted in the Army on August 09, 1943. After his discharge he enlisted in the Air Force.
Capt. Howard Elliott Odell was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On July 19, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft was attacked by YAK-9 fighters and crashed one mile west of Taejon Airfield, South Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Odell was born April 20, 1920 and was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Capt. Ralph Alan "R.A." Ellis Jr. was Killed in Action during the Korean War. Ellis graduated from West Point in 1945. He was a pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter/interceptor (tail # unknown) assigned to the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. While on a combat mission over North Korea, Ellis' plane crashed. Initially Eliis was reported Missing in Action. Later his status was changed to Killed in Action Body Not Recovered. Ellis' name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing. Captain Ellis was born May 29, 1922 in California, a son of Ralph Alan Ellis Sr. (born 1893) and Sara Louise Rhymes Ellis (1894-1981). His siblings included William Faulkner Ellis (1925-1998), Richard Kenneth Ellis, and two others. Captain Ellis attended West Point Preparatory School in Fort Scott, California and graduated from the USMA Class of 1945. He enlisted in the Coast Artillery Corps. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Merced, California.
1Lt. John Malcolm Netterblad was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-554) with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 30, 1950, while on a combat mission, he encountered bad weather and his aircraft crashed on Tsu-Shima, Japan. Lieutenant Netterblad was born May 11, 1924 in Miami, Arizona, a son of Alvin Thorwalk Netterblad Sr. (1898-1971) and Lillie Loraine Freeman Netterblad (1894-1978). He was married to Marymae Miller. His brother was Alvin Thorwalk Netterblad Jr. (1918-1982). Lieutenant Netterblad enlisted in the Army Air Corps on February 12, 1943 and was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross. He is buried in Pinalllll Cemetery, Central Heights, Arizona.
Lt. Col. Vincent Carl Cardarella was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-457) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On August 1, 1950, while on a combat mission along the road from Chochiwon to Chonan, South Korea, his aircraft struck a cable strung between two mountains and crashed five miles southeast of Chonui. Squadron CO. Colonel Cardarella was born August 04, 1919 in Akron, Ohio, the son of Carl Charles "Squash" Cardarella (1896-1953) and Kathryn Conlin Longstreth Cardarella (1909-1970). He was married to Patricia A. Cardarella. Lieutenant Colonel Cardarella joined the military on October 01, 1941. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
1Lt. William Thomas Norris was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-528) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On August 7, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed at a bridge site near Songju, Korea. Lieutenant Norris was born December 14, 1923 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, the son of Lorenzo David Norris (1889-1978) and Elva June Norris (1900-1982). He was married to Patricia Mary Steiner (later Castro) (1924-2018) and they had daughters Mary Pat and Beth Eileen Noris. Lieutenant Norris attended Huntingdon High School for two years and graduated from Lewistown High School. He attended Pitt University before entering the Army Air Corps in 1942. During World War II he was a prisoner of war. He had flown over 40 missions in Korea before the crash that killed him. The recipient of an Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Lieutenant Norris is buried in Mount Rock Cemetery, Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
1Lt. Orrin Russell Fox was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-794) with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 2, 1950, while on a combat mission northwest of Chinju, South Korea, his aircraft was in a steep dive to make a rocket pass and it failed to pull out. Lieutenant Fox was born on March 23, 1928 in Colorado, a son of Orrin William Fox (1896-1972) and Minnie Ebba Sundberg Fox (1898-1991). His brother was Wilbur William Fox (1918-1943). Lieutenant Fox was the first Pasadenian killed in the Korean War. He is buried in Mountainview Cemetery and Mausoleum, Altadena, California.
DPAA: Captain Werner Franklin Sieber, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Texas, was assigned to the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. Early in the evening of September 4, 1950, he departed Itazuke Air Base in an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-488A) as the number two pilot in a flight of two. The briefed mission was fighter sweep operation targeting North Korean forces in the area near Kimpo Aerodrome. As the flight made a low-level strafing pass over edge of the airfield, they were subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire; this was the last time the flight leader saw Capt Sieber. The flight leader proceeded to Seoul municipal airfield, where made he strafing pass. He then left the target area and attempted to regroup with his wingman, and found that Capt Sieber was no longer with him. Attempts to contact or find the missing Shooting Star were unsuccessful. After the area returned to United Nations control, an extensive ground search was conducted between Kimpo and Seoul, but search teams was unable to locate the missing pilot or his aircraft. Additionally, no returning POWs mentioned contact with Capt Sieber, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for.DPAA: Captain Werner Franklin Sieber, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Texas, was assigned to the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. Early in the evening of September 4, 1950, he departed Itazuke Air Base in an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-488A) as the number two pilot in a flight of two. The briefed mission was fighter sweep operation targeting North Korean forces in the area near Kimpo Aerodrome. As the flight made a low-level strafing pass over edge of the airfield, they were subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire; this was the last time the flight leader saw Capt Sieber. The flight leader proceeded to Seoul municipal airfield, where made he strafing pass. He then left the target area and attempted to regroup with his wingman, and found that Capt Sieber was no longer with him. Attempts to contact or find the missing Shooting Star were unsuccessful. After the area returned to United Nations control, an extensive ground search was conducted between Kimpo and Seoul, but search teams was unable to locate the missing pilot or his aircraft. Additionally, no returning POWs mentioned contact with Capt Sieber, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Captain Sieber was born September 13, 1920 in Harris, Texas. He was married to Mimi Piper (1920-1986). Their son, Roy Edward Sieber, was born in 1950 and died in 1978. Captain Sieber enlisted on March 27, 1942. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters.
DPAA: First Lieutenant James Henry Petty, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Illinois, was a member of the 7th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On the evening of September 6, 1950, he departed Itazuke Air Base, Japan, piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-532A) in a flight of four. The briefed mission was close-air-support operation in the area of Sinyang Korea. Approaching Yongchon, 1st Lt Petty reported a tip-tank fueling issue; with only 500 gallons of fuel remaining, he was ordered to return to base. He was last seen flying away from his formation and failed to return to base. His aircraft was later found in the water off the coast of Ashiya, with its ejection seat missing. He remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Petty was born September 10, 1927 in Illinois, a son of Omar Don Petty (1899-1972) and Alice F. Fuller Petty (1899-1985). His brother was Charles H. Petty. Lieutenant Petty was the recipient of an Air Medal.
2Lt. Glenn Payne was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-671) with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On September 10, 1950, while on a combat mission of attacking an enemy tank four miles south of Songok-tong, Korea, his aircraft crashed. Lieutenant Payne was born May 14, 1928 in Itasca, Texas, the son of James Frank Payne (1901-1986) and Jewell Alma Curry Payne (1909-2002). His brother was Bobby Frank Payne (1938-1967). Lieutenant Payne is buried in Ridge Park Cemetery, Hillsboro, Texas.
1Lt. Irvin Warren May was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-1815) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 14, 1950, while on a combat mission over Tabu-dong, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. Lieutenant May was born April 18, 1928 in Washington, DC, the son of Edward W. and Charlotte F. May. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
2Lt. Paul Joseph Kearns was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor(#49-1812) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 15, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft had a mid-air collision with another F-80 Shooting Star (#663) and crashed near Ashiya Air Base in Japan. The other pilot, Orville Nordgren, survived. Lieutenant Kearns was born April 11, 1926 in Pennsylvania, a son of Frank Xavier Kearns Sr. (1892-1959) and Kathryn D. Kearns (1896-1970). He had at least one brother, Frank Xavier Kearns Jr. After graduating from Moscow, Pennsylvania high school and the Roosevelt School of Aeronautics, he enlisted on May 2, 1944. He served in Italy during World War II. He reenlisted in the Air Force in September 0f 1948. He is buried in Saint Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, Pennsylvania.
2 Lt. Richard Davis Bartley was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#47-479) with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 16, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti- aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames near Kuji, 35 miles southwest of Taegu, South Korea. Lieutenant Bartley was born May 26, 1927 in Los Angeles, California, the son of Paris Harwood Bartley (1894-1995) and Eva Faye Davis Bartley (1900-1953). His brother was Don Carter Bartley (1924-2012). Lieutenant Bartley, who enlisted on October 07, 1948, is buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.
DPAA: Captain Richard Dixon Moore, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Louisiana, was a member of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On December 9, 1950, he took off from Taegu Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-1814A) as second in a four-plane skip-bombing mission targeting a railroad bridge near Huichon, North Korea. While making its second pass on the target, Capt Moore's Shooting Star failed to pull up from its dive, and it crashed and exploded nearby. Other pilots on the mission reported that Capt Moore did not bail out of his F-80 before it went down, and they saw no evidence of his survival at the crash site. Enemy presence precluded ground searches for Capt Moore's remains, and he was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody after the war. He remains unaccounted-for following the incident. Captain Moore (also known as "Moose" or "Dick") was born January 11, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Herbert Dixon Moore (1890-1956) and Ethel May VanSten Moore (1892-1953). He was married on December 26, 1945 to Patricia Lovina Edwards (1923-1981). They were parents of Patrick Dixon Moore (born 1946) and Constance Moore (Airey) (born March 1950). A graduate of Newton High School in Elmhurst, New York in 1940, he served in World War II and Korea, receiving an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was lost in combat on his 109th mission.
2Lt. William Moore Carter was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-585) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On October 3, 1950, while enroute to Itazuke Air Base, Japan, his aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Pusan East Airfield (K-9). Lieutenant Carter was born April 29, 1928, a son of Frank Leslie Carter (1887-1957) and Ota Belle McCain Carter (1897-1989). He was married to Eleanor L. Carter. His brother was Maxey Warren Carter (1934-2003). Lieutenant Carter is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth, Texas.
1Lt. Edward Sinclair Child was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (tail#unknown) with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 7, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed from an unknown cause. Lieutenant Child was born April 23, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Bradley Lyon Child (1884-1932) and Elsie F. Sinclair Child (later Landers) (1873-1987). He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 04, 1942 and is buried in The Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn.
Capt. Joseph Clarence Kepford Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-461) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 7, 1950, while on a combat mission, he reported having hydraulic problems and his aircraft crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on March 31, 1954. The pilot was observed bailing out three miles northwest of Hwang-ju, Korea. He landed safely on the ground, but was not observed after that. Captain Kepford was born April 19, 1919 in Monroe, Iowa, the son of Joseph Clarence Kepford Sr. (1875-1919) and Marie Ellen Haney Kepford (1882-1926). He was married to Dixie Kepford. His half sister was Rosamond E. Worth Benson (1921-2015). He was the recipient of a Bronze Star and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Maj. Joseph Wisler "Joe" Bowman was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-499) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 8, 1950, while on a combat mission near Pyongyang, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. He was born March 16, 1920 in Bluefield, West Virginia, a son of Joel "Jack" Victor Bowman (1879-1967) and Nellie Ee. Wisler Bowman (1891-1976). He was married to Mary Watts O'Keeffe (later Miller) (1920-2014) in 1942. His sisters were Juanita S. Bowman Grainger (1916-2020) and Eleanor Ethel Bowman Kackley (1918-2004). He also had a brother. Major Bowman enlisted on March 09, 1942.
Official DPAA report: 1Lt. Richard West Borschel entered the U.S. Air Force from California and served with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On October 12, 1951, he piloted an F-80C Shooting Star (#49-746) that took off from Suwon Air Base, Korea, as third in a flight of four aircraft on a dive-bombing mission against enemy targets in North Korea. During the mission, 1st Lieutenant Borschel radioed his flight leader that his engine suffered a flame-out, and after several failed attempts to restart the engine, he radioed he would bail out; this was the last radio contact with him. He was observed to bail out successfully south of Sariwon; however, before his parachute fully opened, he landed in a reservoir and disappeared beneath the water. The flight circled the floating parachute but there was no sign of the pilot. His remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Borschel is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, which was updated in 2022 to include the names of the fallen. Lieutenant Borschel was born February 18, 1928, the son of Howard C. Borschel and Winifred L. Borschel.
2Lt Theon Oliff Eason was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-783) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On October 19, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire 15 miles north of Pyongyang, North Korea, crashed and burst into flames. Lieutenant Eason wwas born December 13, 1925 in Apopka, Florida. He was married to Ruby Lois Simmons Eason on December 03, 1949 in Tempe, Arizona. He is buried in Highland Memory Gardens, Deland, Florida.
Major Frank Louis Van Sickle Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On November 1, 1950, while on a combat mission over Sinuiju Airfield, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed 15 miles from the airfield. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Major Van Sickle was born February 14, 1925 in Fife Lake, Michigan, a son of Frank Louis Van Sickle Sr. (1882-1945) and Nettie Maude Millikin Van Sickle (1890-1958). His siblings were Don Paton Van Sickle (1913-1991), Richard "Dick" William Van Sickle (1915-1971), and Mrs. Charles Stout. Major Van Sickle was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
First Lieutenant John Ruben Tully was a member of the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. He was listed as Missing in Action while participating in aerial support over Korea and presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Tully was born December 29, 1926 in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of Franis (Frank) Ignatius Tully (1885-1963) and Ella T. Tully. Lieutenant Tully was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star.
Capt. Frank Adair Doyle was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-709) with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On November 5, 1950, while on a combat mission, he was testing an external fuel tanks. As he fired rockets on enemy positions, the tanks fell off causing his aircraft to crash and explode. His remains were not recovered. Captain Doyle was born May 31, 1925 in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Horace Frank and Merle Hookstra Doyle. His sister was Dorothy Ann Doyle Sargent. Captain Doyle attended North Kenilworth High School in Phoenix, Arizona, a special preparatory school in Long Beach, California, and then graduated in the USMA Class of 1946 He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
1Lt. Emory Everett Hodges was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (unknown tail number) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On November 11, 1950, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed 15 miles from Taegu, South Korea. Lieutenant Hodges was born July 21, 1925 in Rockingham, North Carolina, the son of Emory Erastus Hodges (1892-1976) and Loula Smith Hodges (1897-1978). He was married to Eva Marie Didero on September 12, 1950 in Japan. His sisters were Avis Henderson Hodges Holt (1917-2000) and Margaret Smith Hodges Robey (1920-1989). LIeutenant Hodges enlisted on October 25, 1943 and served in World War II. After the war he attended the University of North Carolina for two years before reentering the military. The recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Lieutenant Hodges is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Leaksville, North Carolina.
1Lt. Charles Henry Boone was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-661) with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On November 17, 1950, while returning from a combat mission, his engine flamed out. He overshot Seoul Airfield (K-16) and crashed into the Han River. Lieutenant Boone was born October 02, 1923 in Mississippi, the son of Cornelius Blincoe Boone (1899-1971) and Elizabeth "Bessie" McNamara Boone (1895-1976). He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 9, 1942. He is buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Misssissippi.
DPAA report: Captain Harry Till Sandlin Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, served with the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On November 25, 1950, he departed Kimpo Air Base piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-521) as the lead pilot in a flight of three on an attack mission against a radar site near Yongsa-p'o, North Korea. On his third rocket pass over the target, his aircraft's left wingtip fuel tank fell off, and the aircraft veered left as the pilot fought to straighten out his dive. He could not recover control and the aircraft crashed and burned near the target. No parachute was observed leaving the aircraft. The other aircraft in the flight circled the wreckage but saw no signs of survival. A ground search could not be conducted because of enemy activity in the area. Captain Sandlin's remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire, and he is still unaccounted-for. Captain Sandlin was born March 13, 1925 in Tennessee, the son of Harry Till Sandlin Sr. (1887-1970) and Barbara Sandlin (later Tuckerman). Captan Sandlin enlisted on November 23, 1943 and was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Leaf Clusters and an Air Medal.
2Lt. Richard Logue Scott was a member of Headquarters, 6149th Tactical Air Control Squadron, U.S. Air Force. On November 26, 1950 he was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-520) from the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. While on a combat mission, the aircraft's wing tips came off and it crashed near Taechong, North Korea. His remains were not recovered.Lieutenant Scott was born April 11, 1928 in Maryville, Iowa, a son of George Mansfield Scott (1901-1990) and Effie Logue Scott (1899-1971). His siblings were Virgil W. Scott and Helen L. Scott.
On October 2nd, 1950, U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Ellis "Tommy" Myers, 28, of Saint Louis, Missouri; beloved son of Mr. Newton T. Wells & Mrs. Nora F. (nee Ellis) Myers (later Wells); continuing in honorable service since throughout World War II (Europe); assigned to the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron "Tomahawks" departed Itazuki Air Base at the controls of a single-seat Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star jet aircraft (#49-702, tail code 'WA') as flight leader on a three-plane attack mission targeting enemy railroad assets in the vicinity of Wonsan, DPRK (equivalent of USA's LA Harbor). While making several strafing passes, first against a small troop garrison, then moving on to the main rail marshalling yard, Maj. Myers's luck finally ran out when he was singled out by a burst of accurate and intense anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire.
Successfully ejecting from the disabled Shooting Star before it crashed (a quarter-mile away from where he would touch down 5 miles southeast of the target area), his parachute drifted into a wooded area south of Singosan (defunct archaic place name; modern-day Kosan, Kangwon, DPRK, coordinates 38°52'N 127°26'E) and he was possibly injured, perhaps seriously, by the upper limbs of the tree he fell into which could have easily punctured him and caused bleeding or broken bones or fractures (depending). Based on the given coordinates, being on the 38th parallel he was fairly close to friendly lines and would not have too far to escape and evade, something every second-war pilot was highly competent and capable to do.
During the incident, other members of the flight had observed Capt. Myers fire his rockets, release his canopy, make a 270-degree turn to the right, and bail out from an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 feet. They continued to orbit overhead until low fuel forced them to return to base. Last seen still suspended in the tree, they would never see or hear from their colleague again, and over the years and decades to follow, only a single solid clues would fortunately surface, confirming his fate.
Having anticipated an upcoming long overdue and well-earned promotion, the men in his unit were already addressing him as "Major" with a grin. Surviving POW U.S. Army Cpl. Lester T. Walls, in sworn testimony given during his stateside debriefing after the war, had encountered and interacted with a man fitting Myers' description at some point during his transfer and confinement. During the spring of 1952, a truckload of prisoners passed through the POW camp camp and when Walls asked one of them his name, the clever response was "Air Force Major Myers", an unmistakebly deliberate clue that could only mean this exact individual and no one else. Capt. Thomas E. Myers was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major. [Source: Findagrave] Major Myers was born July 07, 1922, the son of Newton Thomas Myers (1896-1947) and Nora Frances Ellis Myers (later Wells) (1903-1990). He was married to Marietta G. Myers and they had one daughter, Gail Myers (Morris). Major Myers served in Europe during World War II and was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
DPAA: Second Lieutenant William Robb Kimbro, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Tennessee, was a member of the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 12, 1950, he took off from Kimpo Air Base, South Korea, in an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-620A) as the number two aircraft on a four-plane attack mission against enemy targets at Sinuiju Field, North Korea. After making two passes over the target, the flight leader ordered the formation to gain altitude. During the ascent, 2nd Lt Kimbro's Shooting Star was hit by anti-aircraft fire, causing it to crash and explode. 2nd Lt Kimbro was not seen to parachute from the aircraft before it went down, and there were no signs of his survival at the crash site. There were no ground searches of the wreckage because the incident occurred in enemy territory, and 2nd Lt Kimbro's remains have not been located or identified. Today, Second Lieutenant Kimbro is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, which was updated in 2022 to include the names of the fallen. Lieutenant Kimbro was born January 28, 1928, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, the son of Mary Elizabeth Ellis Kimbro (later Campbell). His stepfather was Ray C. Campbell. Lieutenant Kimbro was married to Jolene Grant (later Snokhaus) (1928-1997) on July 09, 1949 in Hamilton, Tennessee. He was a graduate of Central High School and then attended the University of Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee. He enlisted in 1948 and was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Major Roger Clinton Woodard was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-835) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 18, 1950, while on a combat mission over Pyongyang, North Korea, bad weather caused his aircraft to crash. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Major Woodard was born October 30, 1919 in Wilmore, Kentucky, a son of Granville Combs Woodard (1891-1966) and Overton Prather Woodard (1894-1949). He was married to Imogene S. Woodard. His siblings were Granville Combs Woodard Jr. (1925-2004) and Jordan Scott Woodard (1928-2010). Major Woodard enlisted on November 10, 1 941 and was the recipient of an Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
1Lt. Charles Ralph Perry was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-589) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 20, 1950, while returning from an armed reconnaissance mission, his aircraft suffered a mid-air collision with a Shooting Star from the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.Lieutenant Perry was born September 06, 1928 in Arco, Idaho, a son of Charles Kay Perrry (1907-2001) and Mary Adeline Badger Perry (1910-1991). His siblings included Emma Gene Perry (1936-1936), Lorna Lee Perry Luft (1938-2014), Alan LeRoy Perry (1949-1949), Carolyn Perry Chaussee, and George Perry. Lieutenant Perry graduated from Waverly High School and enlisted in the Air Force on September 1946. He is buried in Waverly Cemetery, Waverly, Kansas.
1Lt. Richard William Haas was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-616) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 20, 1950, while returning from a combat mission, his aircraft suffered a mid-air collision with a Shooting Star from the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron over Kimpo, Korea. Lieutenant Haas was born June 29, 1927 in Freeport, Ilinois, the son of William John Haas (2904-2978) and Grace Elizabeth Fehler Haas (1908-2006). His sister was June L. Haas Mellinger (1929-2006). Lieutenant Hass enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 29, 1946, and was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Freeport.
Capt. Thomas Michael Carraher was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-821) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 26, 1950, while on a combat mission over the northwest section of Pyongyang, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 5, 1951. Captain Carraher was born December 11, 1923 in New York, the son of James Carraher (1876-1939) and Susan Carraher (1879-1970). He enlisted on June 11, 1942 and was the recipient of an Air Medal with 14 Gold Stars.
1Lt. Bertram Dunn Wilkins Jr. was the pilot of a F- 80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 51st Fighter- Interceptor Group. On December 29, 1950, while on a combat mission, he was directed to abort his mission just after takeoff. His aircraft crashed shortly thereafter. Lieutenant Wilkins was born December 22, 1924 in Kendall, Texas, a son of Bertram Dunn Wilkins Sr. (1872-1942) and Katherine Emma "Katie" Reppold (Mumme) (1902-1972). His fiance was Billie Irene Schneider. His siblings were Burtis A. Wilkins, Hugo Lee Mumme Jr., Beatrice C. Wilkins, and Edith Kay Mummer. Lieutenant Wilkins attended Boerne High School and graduated from Peacock Military Academy, San Antonio, Texas. He enlisted on June 23, 1943 and served in World War II. He is buried in Boerne Cemetery, Boerne, Texas.
1Lt. James George Clayberg was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-823) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 29, 1950, while on a combat mission in the Pyongyang area of North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Clayberg was born March 28, 1928 in Clinton County, Indiana, the son of Cecil Howard Clayberg (1903-1970) and Faith M. Putman Clayberg (1902-1982). His siblings were Joan Clayberg Clark (1932-2022) and Robert F. "Dobby" Clayberg (1934-2025. Lieutenant Clayberg enlisted on October 05, 1946, and was the recipient of an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.