In God We Trust
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 Pinal 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.
DPAA report: First Lieutenant Harrison Chase Jacobs, who joined the U.S. Air Force from New York, was a member of the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 27, 1950, he departed Taegu Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-546A) as the number four aircraft in a four-plane armed reconnaissance mission over the roads between Sinuiju and Sinanju. Flying south from Sinuiju, the formation passed over Kwaksan, and 1st Lt Jacobs made a rocket attack against enemy targets in the town. While pulling up from the attack run, 1LT Jacobs was attacked by several enemy MiG-15s (later learned to be piloted by Soviet pilots). He was hit by enemy fire, and forced to leave the formation. About a minute later, he radioed that he was over water and was quickly losing fuel. He then reported that he was bailing out of the aircraft; this was the last contact made with 1LT Jacobs. Searches of the area found no sign of him or his aircraft. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt Jacobs, 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 conflict's ceasefire, and he is still unaccounted for. Today, First Lieutenant Jacobs 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 Jacobs was born July 15, 1928, in Sheldrake, New York, a son of West Chute Jacobs Sr. (1886-1937) and Esther B. Dunwoody Jacobs (1889-1969). His siblings were Pamela Gibb, Jacqueline Jacobs (1913-1925), West Chute Jacobs Jr. (1922-2000), Halsey Dunwood Jacobs (1915-1978) and Halsey's twin, Miss Shirley Chute Jacobs. Lieutenant Jacobs was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with five 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.