In God We Trust
Captain William Kenneth Hook was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#45-11476) with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On January 5, 1951, just after take-off his engine suffered mechanical failure and he crashed four miles north of Airfield K-9 (Pusan). Captain Hook was born September 16, 1926, in Altapulgus, Georgia, a son of Galen Randolph Hook (1900-1990) and Zell Rebecca Swann Hook (1900-1994). His siblings were Douglas Wayne Hook Sr. (1925-2011), Jack W. Hook (1927-1927) and J.B. Hook. Captain Hook was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
On January 08, 1951, the landing gear collapsed on C-46 #44-78505. The plane crashed at Chungju Air Base (K-41) in South Korea, striking two other C-46s (#44-78270) and (#44-78262). The standing planes were damaged beyond repair. There were three persons in #44-78505. Of those, two died of wounds received in the collision. The KWE does not know the name of the lone survivor, but he was the plane's crew chief.
Fatalities
Muhleback, 1Lt. Charles E. - Charles was born in Dixon, Illinois, on October 03, 1926. He was a son of Frank and Rachel Bush Muhleback, and his siblings were: Frank Edward Muhleback (1924-2017), Clarence Muhleback, Joseph Muhleback, Lucille Muhleback Book (1929-1975), Caroline Muhleback Ehrecke, Mrs. Jim (Marie Muhleback) Foley, and Mrs. Dick (Helen Muhleback) Snyder. Charles is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Dixon, Illinois.
Yaich, 1Lt. Arthur D. - Arthur was seriously wounded in the collision and died of wounds on January 13, 1951. He was born September 20, 1924, son of August William Yaich (1878-1958) and Etelka M. Yaich (1887-1968). Arthur was a World War II veteran who served with the 374 AF Troop Carrier W. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
A Soldier's Medal was awarded to a 2nd Infantry Division soldier on the ground. The citation reads:
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division
General Orders No. 302 - July 16, 1951
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Sergeant Edward J. McGuire (ASN: RA-16308395), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of the 2d Quartermaster Company, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 9 January 1951, in the vicinity of Chungju, Korea. Sergeant McGuire was in charge of the detail unloading supplies in the airlift for divisional and attached units during the critical period prior to the launching of the Wonju offensive. On that day Sergeant McGuire was unloading a C-46 when the landing gear of another C-46 collapsed and crashed into the plane which was being unloaded. Sergeant McGuire leaped to safety just before the crash. Despite the danger of imminent explosion and fire from the leaking gasoline, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant McGuire entered the plane and removed the Crew Chief to safety. He then re-entered the plane end removed the co-pilot who later died. Entering the plane for the third time he removed the body of the pilot. His alertness and disregard for personal safety undoubtedly saved the life of the Crew Chief. The heroism displayed by Sergeant McGuire reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.
A B-29 Superfortress bomber crashed near Seguin, Texas, on January 11, 1951. The plane was returning to Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas. Six of the crew members were killed, while five other men parachuted to safety. The following information from a Times Union newspaper article (January 12, 1951) about the crash was sent to the KWE by Art Lajeunesse of Latham, New York.
"A B-29 Superfortress--groping through an overcast--crashed in flames last night, killing six men. Five other men aboard parachuted to safety. Only one of the five was injured. Capt. Norman A. Bivens, 27, of Los Angeles, the pilot, said the plane was returning to Randolph Air Force Base from a seven-hour training flight. He said at 8,000 feet he cut off the automatic pilot and began flying on instrument as he started to let down through the overcast. Suddenly my flight instruments went out," he said. "I couldn't reach my mike so I hit the emergency bell and released cabin pressure in the navigator's compartment enabling the men down there to get out. I locked the emergency bell down and went out the nose wheel door." The plane crashed 10 miles southwest of Sequin. Randolph base is some 18 miles from San Antonio, TX."
Fatalities
Bennett, Cpl. Ernest - CPL Ernest Bennett, 24, was the right gunner. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Floyd Bennett, Paris, TN. Born 1927. Service Number AF14276000.
Calkins, Capt. Leonard Hamlin - Calkins, age 47, was the navigator. He was from San Antonio. Service Number AO501894. Captain Calkins was born March 09, 1903 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, a son of Lincoln Hamlin Calkins (1862-1949) and Sarah Jane "Sadie" Means Calkins (1865-1946). His siblings were Wiley Daniel (1887-1978), James William (1889-1978), Earnest Roscoe "Ross" 1893-1967), Esther Lucille Calkins Boyce (1899-1973), Horace Adali (1905-1960), and two more sisters and one more brother. Captain Calkins is buried in Graceland Memorial Park, Coral Gables, Florida.
Cameron, Cpl. Donald James (tail gunner) - survived by his mother, Mrs. Clara Cameron, Chicago. He was born August 12, 1928, the son of Hugh Aldred Cameron (1867-1954) and Clara O. Luedke Cameron. His service number was AF16303056. He is buried in Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinos.
Howey, S/Sgt. Roderick Allen (central fire control gunner) - He was born June 16, 1925 in Los Angeles, California, the son of Paul James Howey (1895-1978) and Magdalene P. Metsch Howey (1892-1986). In December of 1950 he married Mary Nararro (1929-2020). He was killed in the crash two weeks later. His service number was AF15344219. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California.
Shaw, 2Lt. James Earl (radio observer) - He was born January 17, 1929 in Grenada, Mississippi, the son of James Earl Shaw Jr. (1905-1985) and Louise Graham Honeycutt Shaw (1905-1970). He was married to Mary Nell Rayburn (1926-2015). She was later Mrs. John Loren Derhammer. His sister (1927-1927) died as an infant . His service number was AO1911515. He is buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Grenada.
Wilson, 1Lt. Robert L. (co-pilot) He was from Bellflower, California. He was born December 29, 1916 in North Platte, Nebraska. His service number was AO754453.
Survivors
Arp, Capt. Howard E. (bombardier) Albuquerque, NM
Barns, SSgt. James J. (flight engineer) from Searcy, AR
Bivens, Capt. Norman A. (pilot)
Kintner, Capt. Otho V. (navigator) - Forth Worth, TX. Kintner's back was slightly injured.
Schwartz, Cpl. Ralph T., (radio operator) Charleston, SC.
Lieutenant Anctil and Greer were pilot and radar observer, respectively, of an F-82 type aircraft number 46-399, which departed Teegu Air Base, South Korea, on the evening of 26 January 1951, for a two hour night combat patrol mission of the area between Pyongyang and Kangdong, North Korea. Lieutenant Anctil arrived in the assigned area at 10:00 p.m. and relieved the aircraft which previously had been patrolling this sector and which departed for the home base twenty minutes later after receiving radio acknowledgement from Lieutenant Anctil. The aircraft which was to relieve Lieutenant Anctil, arrived at midnight, but was unable to make contact with him. When the missing F-82 failed to return from the mission, the crew was reported as missing 27 January 1951. Crews flying over the Pyongyang - Kangdong area for the following 7 to 10 days were alerted to search for crash signs of lost aircraft, but none was reported. During the twelve months which have elapsed, no additional information has become available.
Missing in Action:
Anctil, Capt. Laurence Edward - Captain Anctil was born September 26, 1920 in Strafford County, New Hampshire, the son of Ruby Amelia Brown Anctil (1894-1961). He was married to Velma N. Ireland (1926-2011) on May 31, 1946 and they had one son, Conrad L. Anctil. Captain Anctil was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Greer, 1Lt. Robert Lamar - Lieutenant Greer was born March 15, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Russell Alexander Greer (1899-1978). He was married to Clydie Una Wiley (1921-2007). Lieutenant Greer was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Gold Stars.
DPAA report: Ensign Evan Charles Harris entered the U.S. Navy from Illinois and was a member of Attack Squadron 195. On January 28, 1951, he piloted an AD-4 Skyraider (bureau number 123927) that took off from the USS Princeton (CV-37) on a combat mission against enemy targets over North Korea. While making rocket passes, his aircraft was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the water off Sinpo. While the aircraft sank immediately, a body was seen floating face-down in the immediate vicinity of the crash, but enemy fire prevented the recovery before it also sank. ENS Harris was not seen again and is still unaccounted-for.
DPAA: Colonel Milton Fager Glessner, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Pennsylvania, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Mid-afternoon on February 2, 1951, he departed Chinhae Air Base, Korea, flying an F-51D Mustang (tail number 45-11427) as the flight leader in a flight of four. The briefed mission was armed reconnaissance operation along the road from Singye to Suan. The flight reached Suan without incident, however, on the return leg, Col Glessner's aircraft began to emit black smoke. He radioed to report he was having difficulty and was preparing to bail out. However, at an altitude of approximately 800 feet, he instead decided to attempt a crash landing in a nearby rice paddy. The Mustang was under full control and began what appeared to be a good landing, but soon hit a small dike, which turned the F-51 sideways. The Mustang then impacted a five-foot embankment, bounced over, and caught fire; an object, possibly the pilot, was thrown clear of the aircraft and landed about 100 feet away. The other aircraft on the mission made four passes over the area but saw no signs of life on the ground and could not positively identify the object thrown from the aircraft. The next day, an air search of the crash site revealed considerable damage to the F-51, but the cockpit appeared intact. However, there were no signs of Col Glessner or the object thrown from the aircraft, and Col Glessner was not seen again. No returning prisoners of war mentioned having contact with Col Glessner, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Colonel Glessner was born July 04, 1914 in Modena, Pennsylvania, the son of Milton J. and Effie B. Glessner. He was married to Mary Grubb Glessner (died 1987), and they had children Clay Milton Glessner and Cary Glessner (died 2000). Colonel Glessner was a graduate of Haverford College and Mercersburg Academy. During World War II, he served in Germany. He was the recipient of a Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.
Captain Elzeard John DesChamps was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74753) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On February 2, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames near Kangdong. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain DesChamps was born October 18, 1922, in Helena, Montana, the son of Elzeard Joshua "Shorty" DesChamps (188901945) and Helen M. Devan Deschamps (1895-1974). His sister was Dorothy Helen DesChamps (1918-1985). Captain DesChamps was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
2Lt Douglas Raymond Leah was flying one of four Mustangs, led by Commandant S. Theron, on a reconnaissance of the Wonsan-Hamhung area, on the east coast of North Korea. After expending their bombs on a supply dump, the patrol found three camouflaged vehicles on a road just north of Yonghong, which they proceeded to strafe with their machine guns. During Lieutenant Leah's second attack, he pulled out to the right but his starboard wing struck the ground, causing his aircraft to cartwheel into the ground and burst into flames. The wreckage was scattered over a wide area. Lieutenant Leah was born December 13, 1927 in Rouxville, Orange Free State, the son of William Robert and Doris Olga Leah. He was a South African Flying Cheetah.
Capt. Justice Kyle Haythorne was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74367) with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On February 11, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire. He bailed out over water but died of wounds he received. Captain Haythorne was born August 31, 1924, the son of Will Kemp Haythorne (1898-1953) and Lenore Haythorne (1891-1970). His brothers were William Kemp Haythorne (1916-1999) and David Keith Haythorne (1918-1970). Captain Haythorne is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
Lt. Gordon Derrick Doveton and Lieutenant McKellar took off from their airfield at K-10, Chinhae, to conduct an armed reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Kaesong-Haeju-Sariwon. After attacking a few different targets, they found a camouflaged vehicle near Kaesong, which they attacked. On their fourth pass the vehicle caught fire. Despite this, Lieutenant Doveton chose to make another attack, and Lieutenant McKellar saw Lt Doveton's aircraft bounce off the side of a hill in a cloud of smoke, somersault, and burst into flames. "Flying Cheetah" Lieutenant Doveton was born June 03, 1925, the son of Norman Cecil and Anna Elizabeth Doveton. He was married to Helene DeJongh Doveton.
Returning from combat support mission to K-2, this aircraft (44-78257) crashed into a hill four miles southwest of Iwakuni Air Base, Japan.
Killed in Action:
Affolder, Capt. Henry Leroy (co-pilot) - Captain Affolder was born September 15, 1920 in Johnson Township, Indiana, a son of Henry Affolder (1887-1979) and Catherine Pearl K. Lambright Affolder (1890-1965). He was married to Mildred B. Helmick Affolder (1926-1980) in 1948. They had a six-week old daughter at the time of the crash. His siblings were Margaret E. Affolder Seckel (1917-2009), Marian Jean Affolder (1928-1928), William Frederick (1915-1984) and Linus Lee (1930-2024). A graduate of Wolcottville High School and Purdue University, Captain Affolder was a World War II veteran who was recalled to active duty in August of 1948. Captain Affolder is buried in Davis Cemetery, Davis, West Virginia.
Boyd, TSgt. Robert Marion - Sergeant Boyd was born October 30, 1924 in Webb City, Missouri, a son of Archie Raymond Boyd (1887-1959) and Elizabeth M. Auker Boyd. He was married in 1942 to (1) Peggy Jean Reynolds (later Mcray) (1923-2011) and in 1945 to (2) Marjorie Ella Zierden (later Brandhorst) (1925-1993). Robert and Marjorie were parents of Donna Boyd Keinert and Marjorie Eileen Boyd. His siblings were Raymond Donnell Boyd (1908-1986) and Elmer David Boyd (1919-1921).
Scott, Maj. William Richard - Major Scott was born May 09, 1916 in King County, Washington, a son of Thomas C. Scott (1870-1952) and Angeline Jane "Jennie" Geary Scott (1879-1959). He was married to Margaret Louise Gorcsuch (later Johnson) (1923-1990) in 1943. His siblings were John Thomas (1902-1993), Carl C. (1904-1984), Albert Frederich (1906-1996), Dorothy Jennie Scott Cooper Hill (1909-1997) and Helen Viola (1921-1922). Major Scott is buried in Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington.
[Source of the following: South African War Graves Project] "Capt. W. J. J. Badenhorst [Wessel Jacobus Johannes Bradenhorst] was detailed to lead a flight of four Mustangs on an armed reconnaissance slightly off the Sinanju area, on 2nd March 1951. I [Lieutenant G.D. Paterson, S.A.A.F.] was briefed to fly as No. 2 with Lieutenant F. B. Richter as No. 3 and Lt. J .C. Ansell as No. 4. The briefing took place at K.10 at 09.00 hours. The flight led by Capt. Badenhorst took off from K.10 at 10.20 hours on 2/3/51 and proceeded as briefed. At approximately 11.15 hours Lt. Richter returned due to engine trouble and I took over No. 3 position in the formation with Lt. Ansell taking over No. 2 position. At approximately 12.05 hours whilst flying over the chong-Ch?on-gang river just North of Sinanju between 500-1,000 feet Capt. Badenhorst called up and said, "Look out there is bags of heavy Ack...." he broke off and turned sharply right over the bridge crossing the river. At the same time he appeared to lose height and black smoke appeared from the aircraft. At this time I noticed what appeared to be 20mm, 40mm and some black puffs of anti-aircraft fire. I called Capt. Badenhorst and told him he was streaming black smoke and to turn South and that we would follow him. There was no reply but the aircraft turned towards the South alternatively losing and gaining height slowly. I then noticed white smoke as well as black coming from the aircraft and informed Capt. Badenhorst again telling him to head South. Once again there was no reply. I then called Capt, Badenhorst and asked him whether he could read me. He did not reply but the aircraft kept on turning through south and appeared out of control as it was alternatively losing and gaining height. The aircraft kept turning straight back towards Sinanju and at 12.10 hours at a height of approximately 700 feet flick rolled twice over the town and then dove straight into the ground in the Sinanju area. On impact the aircraft exploded and burnt furiously. At no time was anybody seen to attempt to bail out of the aircraft or anything fall away from the aircraft." (Eyewitness Account of incident refers) Commandant S. v. B Theron, D.S.O., D.F.C, A.F.C., Officer Commanding 2 Squadron, wrote to Badenhorst?s widow three days later: "It is impossible for me to find words to express the innermost feelings of myself and the members of the squadron in this sad hour. Badie being reported missing on operations came as a great shock to us all, and we fully realise what a terrible blow it must be to you. I can assure you Bobbie, that you and the children are constantly in our thoughts...Badies place on the Squadron can never be filled. No squadron can ever have had a more able, reliable and likeable Flight commander than Badie. In his quiet unassuming way he was an outstanding leader of men.... In many little ways he so endeared himself that he soon became the staunchest of friends and companions. It goes without saying that his absence from our midst is deeply felt by everybody and I miss a very great personal friend." Capt. Wessel Jacobus Johannes Badenhorst was born January 11, 1930, the son of F.H. Badenhorst. He was married to Maria Elisabeth Badenhorst. He joined the South African Air Force in January 1941 and was a member of the Flying Cheetahs. He was the recipient of an Air Force Cross, United States Distinguished Flying Cross, and United States Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
First Lieutenant Gerald Joseph Heagney was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-72726) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On March 9, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed into the side of a hill. Lieutenant Heagney was born December 23, 1923. He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York. Other than the fact that he was a Heagney from New York, the KWE has found no further information about him in order to honor him.
On March 10, 1951, an SAAF squadron went on a close support mission, their target being enemy troops in a valley near Yangdogwoni-ni, between the Han and Pukham Rivers. On the final turn into the attack, Captain Jocelyn Francis Baverstock Davis' aircraft (#45-11541) rolled onto its back at about 1200 feet and appeared to go into a spin. Both napalm bombs then came off, but the aircraft did not recover, continuing to spin until it crashed, together with the falling napalm, into a gully on the side of a hill. Flying Cheetah Flying Officer Davis was born November 12, 1928, and was the husband of Ena Davis of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Captain Willis Ray Brown was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-72008) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On March 15, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, disintegrated mid-air and crashed near Oryong-ni, Korea. His remains were not recovered. Captain Brown was born February 27, 1923, a son of Jesse Brooks Brown (1893-1966) and Christine Anna Schneider Brown (1898-1975). He was married in 1944 to Marion "Mae" Kopf Brown (later Ransone). Captain Brown's siblings were Alice Brown Parks Clark (1924-1996) and J. Brooks Brown. Captain Brown was the recipiernt of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with eleven Oak Leaf Clusters.
First Lieutenant James Melvin Dolan was a veteran of World War II, flying a P-38 fighter with the 14th Fighter Group. In Korea, he was the pilot of a RF-51D Mustang fighter bomber (#44-73453) with the 45th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 67th Fighter Bomber Wing. On March 19, 1951, while on a combat mission five miles north of Kumhwa, North Korea in bad weather, his aircraft crashed into a hill and exploded. Lieutenant Dolan was born February 24, 1923, a son of Joseph Martin Dolan (1882-1967) and Annie Bell Fields Dolan (1894-1990). He was married to Catharine L. Dolan. His siblings included June Dolan and Martin Kenneth Dolan (1919-1997). Lieutenant Dolan was the recipient of an Air Medal. He is buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
On 23 March 1951, a C-124 49-0244 flying from Limestone AFB Loring for a transatlantic flight to Mildenhall Royal Air Force Base, Lakenheath, UK, reported a fire in the cargo crates, signaling Mayday. They began jettisoning the crates and announced they were ditching. The C-124 ditched southwest of Ireland.
The last radio call from 49244 was to USCGC Casco at station Yankee, and it occurred at approximately 1 p.m. in the early afternoon. Casco weighed anchor, continued radio contact, followed the track of 49244 until the plane ditched and gave it's exact location. Casco was also in contact with the B-50 from Lakenheath and directed the B-50 to the exact point of ditching where Capt Muller and his crew spotted the survivors in life rafts. The B-50 loitered over the survivors until bingo fuel and had to return to Lakenhealth. Casco arrived at the ditching site and the men had disappeared.
The aircraft was intact when it touched down on the ocean. All hands exited the aircraft wearing life preservers and climbed into the inflated 5 man life rafts. The rafts were equipped with cold weather gear, food, water, flares, and Gibson Girl hand crank emergency radios. Shortly after the men were in the life rafts, a B-29 pilot out of Ireland spotted the rafts and the flares that the men had ignited. Their location was reported and the pilot left the scene when his fuel was getting low.
No other United States or Allied planes or ships made it to the ditch site for over 19 hours, until Sunday, March 25, 1951. When the ships arrived, all they found were some charred crates and a partially deflated life raft. Only a few small pieces of wreckage were found 450 miles off the west coast of Ireland. Ships and planes continued searching for the next several days, but not a single body was found. The men of C-124 #49-0244 had disappeared. There is circumstantial evidence that the airmen may have been "snatched" by the Soviet Union for their intelligence value, but their fate remains a mystery. It is a fact that Soviet submarines and surface vessels were active in this area and that the Soviets had no qualms about capturing and holding American servicemen, particularly aviators.
An article in the Lewiston Evening Journal dated March 24, 1951, stated that five ships went to the area where the plane was reported missing. The five ships were two U.S. transport ships (General Muir and the Golden Eagle), the British submarine Thule, and two international weather ships, Jig and Charlie). The British steamship Hesione intercepted the following message from a searching B-29 at 1:12 a.m. (GMT): "Sighted rockets and have seen flares and lights at 50.22 north 22.22 west. Also believe to have sighted something that seems to be rockets and parachutes with one-man rafts at 50.33 north 20.46 west." The Korean War Educator is seeking more information about this crash. Contact us.
Adler, S/Sgt. Glenn E. (509th BWng 830th BSqd) - Sergeant Adler was born in 1929, in Aurora, Illinois, a son of John Bernard Adler (1893-1978) and Dorothea Frieda Emilia Luebke Adler (1895-1967). A graduate of Lincoln Park High School in 1946, he entered the Air Force shortly thereafter. In 1950 he was a member of the Air Force Good Will Tour in Germany, France, England and other European countries. His siblings were Carol Jane Adler Long (1922-2018) and brothers Dale O. Adler and John H. "Jack" Adler.
Adrean, Capt. Phil Bentley (Pilot, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Ambrose, Sgt. George W. (509th BWng 4013th ArmElecMaintSqd)
Ambrose, Cpl. Sterling L (509th BWng 715th BSqd
Amsden, S/Sgt. Robert D. (CREW) (Flight Engineer, 509th BWng 2nd StrtgcSpt Sqd)
Armstrong, 2 Lt. Karl R. Jr. (CREW) (Navigator, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Ayers, SSgt. Herbert Spencer
Bell, Maj. Robert Scott (CREW - In command of flight; squadron ops officer who was doing a route check on the pilots, Capt. Collins & 2nd Lt. Mathers) (Pilot, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Bernis, S/Sgt. Barton C. (CREW) (CE, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Berenberg, Pvt. Dwight Alden (Radio Operator, 509th BWing 830th BSqd.)
Bristow, Sgt. Robert Raymond (Radio Operator, 509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
Broussard, Sgt. Joseph D. (CREW) (CE, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Chute, Cpl. Arthur F. (CREW) (FC, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Collins, Capt. Emmett Edward (CREW) (Pilot, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Counsell, Capt. John Edward (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
Crow, Cpl. Jack R. (CREW) (FC, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Cullen, Brig. Gen. Paul Thomas (Commander, SAC 2nd Air Force 7th Air Div.)
Davies, Capt. Francis N. (CREW - squadron navigator who was evaluating 2LT Armstrong) (Navigator, 509th BWng 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Dubach, Capt. Mark O. (Navigator, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Dudek, Capt. Mieczyslaw Thomas "Mathew" (Bmbdr, 509tyh BWng 393rd BSqd)
Dughman, S/Sgt. Gene D. (509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
Fife, 1LT. Jack Radford (Pilot, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Fisher, 2LT William E. Jr. (Navigator, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Gray, Col. Kenneth Neil (SAC 2nd Air Force 7th Air Div.) (SAC budget officer)
Green, T/Sgt. Charles Edgar (Flt Eng, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Greene, S/Sgt. Thomas E. (509th BWng 4013th ArmElecMaintSqd)
Hopkins, Lt. Col. James I. (Pilot, SAC 2nd Air Force 7th Air Div.) (chief of SAC's military personnel division)
Jones, S/Sgt Homer Jr. (Radio Operator, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Kampert, Capt. Robert Kenneth (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
Kelly, Capt. Thomas Robert (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Krawiec, Capt. Carl N. (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Lee, 2LT. Max D. (Navigator, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Lengua, S/Sgt. Nicolo A. (Radio Operator, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Lutjeans, Samuel P. (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Mathers, 2Lt. Howard P. (Pilot, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
McGee, Sgt. Ronald D. (Radio Operator, 509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
McKoy, Lt. Col. Edwin A. (Pilot, SAC 2nd Air Force 7th Air Div.) (SAC material directorate)
Meckler, Sgt. Frank A. (FltEng, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Peterson, Capt. Walter T. (Pilot, 509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
Porter, Capt. Calvin (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
Rafferty, Lawrence E. (Pilot, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Scarbrough, M/Sgt. Everett Doyle (CE, 509th BWing 2nd StrtgcSptSqd)
Stoddard, Maj. Gordon H. (Pilot, SAC 2nd Air Force 7th Air Div.)(assigned to SAC dictorate of plans)
Swisher, Cpl. Clarence G. (509th BWng 393rd BSqd)
Thomas, Cpl. Bobby G. (509th BWng 715th BSqd)
VanGilder, M/Sgt. Taylor Hawkins (509th BWng 509th AvSqd)
Vincent, Capt. Roger S. (Pilot, 509th BWng 830th BSqd) (from Sandwich, IL)
Wagner, Capt. Walter A. Jr. (Pilot, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Williamson, M/Sgt. Herbert C. (509th BWng 509th Av Sqd)
Witkowski, Raymond L. (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Zabawa, Capt. Edwin D. (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Zalac, Capt. Frank B. (Pilot, 509th BWng 715th BSqd)
Zweygartt, Capt. John C. (Bmbdr, 509th BWng 830th BSqd)
Last Flight of 49244 (Don Wagner Research) (PDF File)
[KWE Note: The PDF article is the product of research conducted by Don Wagner, son of Capt. Walter A. Wagner Jr.]
Ambrose, George W. Ambrose
Adler, S/Sgt. Glenn E.
Adrean, Capt. Phil Bentley
The following bio is from the Findagrave website:
Phil Bentley Adrean was born January 28, 1925 to Phyllis May (nee Andre) and Vernon Lee Adrean in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was one of three siblings having an older brother Vernon and younger brother Jack. Phil's father was employed as a certified public accountant.
Phil was a 1942 graduate of Central High School in Tulsa, and then attended Oklahoma A & M in order to qualify for the Aviation Cadet Program. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on January 25, 1943 completing flying training in January 1944. He was commissioned a second lieutenant with a pilot rating, ASN: O-704449.
After combat crew training Phil deployed to England. He had been assigned to the 750th Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, operating from RAF Glatton, Army Air Forces Station 130, located about 70 miles north of London. Phil was serving as co-pilot with the 2nd Lt Donald K. Goss crew.
On Friday, August 25, 1944 the 457th Bomb Group target for today was the hydroelectric hydrogen plant at Peenemünde, the German rocket research center located in northern Germany on the Baltic Sea coast. This was Phil's twenty-fifth mission, he and crew were operating B-17G, s/n 42-98018, named 'Lady Katherine', piloted by 2nd Lt Goss. The plane was hit by flak just after dropping bombs on Peenemünde. The flak blew a large hole in the wing and knocked out engine #2. It also appeared that it had done major damage in the bomb bay. The crew had also suffered injuries. The ball turret gunner, Charles Gentile, was bleeding in a dozen places, the radioman's hands were both injured and bleeding, the waist gunner had a broken leg and there were other injuries. Lt Goss made a decision to fly to Sweden so that his crew could get medical help sooner. After a survey of the damage to the plane it was decided that the plane was structurally damaged and would probably break up on landing so a decision was made that all would bail out.
As the plane approached Sweden, Swedish fighter aircraft were sent out from Ljungbyhed airfield in southern Sweden to escort the damaged fortress. Once over land the order to bail out was given. The injured men's hands were placed on their parachute D-ring they were pushed out the door. All nine crew members successfully bailed out and were quickly recovered once on the ground. The crew, except for the ball turret gunner who was taken to the hospital, was together by morning and took the train to Kristianstad where they were officially welcomed to Sweden by the town's Mayor. The Lady Katherine crashed in some woods outside Ljungbyhed and was completely destroyed. The crew was interned in Sweden for the duration of the war in Europe. The other members of Phil's crew during this mission were as follows:
2nd Lt Donald K. Goss (P)- INT/RTD
2nd Lt Gerhardt C Hoelzel (N)- INT/RTD
S/Sgt William H. Sokolowski (RWG- Toggleer)- INT/RTD
S/Sgt Peter G. Stern (ETTG)- INT/RTD
S/Sgt Henry M. Githens, Jr. (Radio)- INT/RTD
S/Sgt Ruben L. Hernandez (LWG)- INT/RTD
Sgt Charles C. Gentile (BTG)- INT/RTD
S/Sgt John A. Roe, Jr. (TG)- INT/RTD
After VE-Day Phil returned to the United States. He was honorably discharged from the Army Air Forces during demobilization. He electing to remain in the active reserve with the 323 Bomb Group at Tinker Army Air Field near Tulsa. Phil enrolled in school at the University of Tulsa, later transferred to the University of Oklahoma at Norman where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1949. After one semester of postgraduate work he re-joined the Air Force.
After entering the Air Force he received training as a B-29/B-50 pilot and was assigned to the 830th Squadron, 509th Bomb Wing, 47th Air Division, 8th Air Force, Strategic Air Command, Walker Air Force Base (AFB), located near Roswell, New Mexico. In late 1950 Brig. General Paul T. Cullen had been recently tasked to develop and expand the 7th Air Division of Strategic Air Command to be based across the United Kingdom. This Deployment started on Wednesday 21 March 1951, utilizing C-124A Globemaster II Serial Number 49-0244 transport commanded by Major Robert Scott Bell of the 2nd Strategic Support Squadron. The plane departed Walker AFB, New Mexico, with almost 50 of the nation's top strategic bombing and nuclear weapons personnel from the 509th Bomb Group onboard. The final destination was to be the RAF base at Lakenheath, England.
The plane first landed at Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, Louisiana where they remained overnight. On Thursday 22 March, General Cullen and his staff joined the other passengers and boarded the aircraft. The Globemaster then departed and following an uneventful eight hour flight, the C-124 landed at Limestone AFB (later Loring AFB) Limestone, Maine. This was the last stop before the long North Atlantic crossing. While the aircraft was being refueled, the pilots and navigators went to base ops where they received an updated weather briefing. They filed the flight plan for the final leg: Limestone direct Gander, (great circle rhumb line) to Mildenhall RAFB, U.K.
The 23 March transatlantic flight progressed without incident with normal check-ins with weather vessels along the route. Then about 800 miles southwest of Ireland, the airplane issued a Mayday call, reporting a fire in the cargo crates. The C-124 ditched reporting a final position of 50°45'0.00"N, 24° 3'0.00"W (600 miles west-southwest of Ireland). The aircraft was intact when it touched down on the ocean. All hands excited the aircraft wearing life preservers and climbed into the inflated 5 man life rafts. The rafts were equipped with cold weather gear, food, water, flares, and Gibson Girl hand crank emergency radios.
The 509th Bomb Group element stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England launched a B-50 Superfortress from its 830th Bomb Squadron, commanded by Captain Harold Muller to search for the survivors. He located the men when they fired several flares. The B-50 was not carrying any rescue equipment that could be dropped to the survivors. Captain Muller radioed back that he had located the men and would remain on station as long as fuel allowed. They continued circling and hoping for rescue aircraft to arrive but to no avail. Reaching critical fuel, Captain Muller was forced to abandon his fellow airmen and return to base.
Incredibly no other aircraft were launched to take station over the survivors until rescue vessels could arrive. Just as incredible it was another "Nineteen" (19) hours the following day before the first surface rescue vessel arrived, which was the US Coast Guard Cutter Casco (WAVP-370). All that was found was a burned briefcase and a partially deflated life raft. Despite the largest air and sea search up to that time, not one body was found. Phil Adrean and the 52 airmen with him had disappeared.
Later it was revealed that Soviet submarines and surface vessels were active in the area. It has been speculated that Adrean and his companions were taken aboard Soviet submarines and brought to the Soviet Union for interrogation. Due to their expertise in nuclear and other defense matters, Cullen and the other men on the airplane would have been an intelligence windfall to the Soviets.
In reality the Soviet connection may be a weak excuse for the poor to nonexistent immediate rescue response to recover survivors. It is more likely Phil and the other 52 survivors were taken by the North Atlantic Ocean after being abandoned for nineteen hours in weather conditions of driving rain and high seas. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 many cold war secrets have been revealed but not one word about this C-124 ditching or Soviet snatching of any of its occupants. The disappearance of Captain Phil Bentley Adrean and other survivors remains a great mystery of the Cold War.
Ambrose, George W.
Sgt. George W. Ambrose, Jr., 21, was the son of George W. And Laura Ambrose, 501 Ninth Avenue, Brunswick, Maryland. Sergeant Ambrose, better known as "Bunky", was in the Army Air Forces about two years. He was stationed in New Mexico, Texas and Mississippi before being assigned in the C-124 that left Limestone, Maine on Thursday for Mildenhall Air Base, Suffolk, England. He was a member of the 1947 Brunswick High School graduation class. Cousin to Sterling L. Ambrose.
Ambrose, Cpl. Sterling Lee Owen Jr.
Cpl. Sterling L. Ambrose, 19, was the son of Sterling Lee Owen Sr. (deceased) and Mrs. Rosie Ambrose Weller, of 115 Ninth Avenue, Brunswick, Maryland. Corporal Ambrose had been in the service since his graduation from Brunswick High School in 1948. He was a stepson of William Weller, Brunswick radio shop proprietor. Cousin to George W. Ambrose.
Amsden, S/Sgt. Robert D.
S/Sgt. Robert Amsden, a graduate of Roslyn High School, Long Island, New York, was 21 years old when the Globemaster plane that he was on crash landed far off the coast of Ireland. The son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Amsden of Schenevus (originally from East Williston, Long Island), Robert enlisted in the Air Force on March 4, 1947 after graduating from high school. His father was a retired naval officer.
Armstrong, 2Lt. Karl "Sonny" Raymond Jr.
Lieutenant Armstrong was born October 20, 1928 in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia. He was a son of Karl Raymond Armstrong Sr. (1893-1960) and Gretchen M. Armstrong (1901-1970). He married his childhood sweetheart, Vivian Imogene "Gene" Grantham (Benjamin) (1928-1990).
According to his niece, Meryl Murphy:
"This entire event just absolutely devastated my family. He attended Texas A & M College, which is now a university. It was all male college then and everyone was in the corps. He married my daddy's sister after being sweethearts since grade school. They both lived in Cisco, Texas, but were living in New Mexico when this happened. He was 24 years old. He was a Second Lieutenant and was a navigator. Growing up I only heard that his plane blew up over the Irish sea. I never really asked too many questions--it was not a topic to discuss. When I got older and my daddy was dying, I asked him. He said it was the worst time in his life. My grandfather was a judge and he went to every senator in Texas and then to Washington DC to get information. He has been missed every day."
Ayers, S/Sgt. Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer was born February 25, 1929 in Calhoun County, Florida, a son of Jessie McKinley Ayers (1896-1977) and Allie Mae Ayers Ayers (1902-1994). His siblings were Jessie Mae Ayers Price (1919-2019), Cathy Ayers Smith, James McKinnon "Mack" Ayers, William A. Ayers, Carolyn Ayers Dykes (1926-2015), Carrol Ayers (deceased infant twin of Carolyn), and deceased infant sisters Barbara and Elizabeth Ayers. There is a memorial stone for Herbert in the Magnolia Baptist Church Cemetery, Blountstown, Florida.
Bell, Maj. Robert Scott
Born on March 8, 1920 in Searcy, Arkansas, he was a son of Louis Thomas Bell (1892-1979) and Clara Pearl Watson Bell (1900-1978). A World War II veteran, he married Elwanda Beatrice Hoofman (1921-2006) Bell in 1943. They were parents of a son, Robert Scott Bell Jr. (1946-2019). Robert's brother was Arthur Watson Bell Sr. There is a marker for Major Bell in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Searcy, Arkansas.
Berenberg, Pvt. Dwight Alden
Private Berenberg was born November 24, 1925 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Emanuel Berenberg (1898-1982) and Myrtle Winifred Smith Berenberg (1901-1940).
Bemis, S/Sgt. Barton C.
Born in 1924, he was a son of Ernest E. Bemis (1891-1953) and Lucy Thurber Bemis (1894-1972). His siblings were Maynard Nial Bemis (1933-2014), Gordon Bemis, Hugh Bemis, Howard "Chub" Bemis, Charlotte Bemis Lawrence, and Barbara Bemis Goldsmith. The Bemis family was from Vermont and New Hampshire.
Bristow, Sgt. Robert Raymond
Sergeant Bristow was born August 3, 1926 in Leavenworth, Kansas, a son of Charles Robert Bristow (1887-1952) and Ola Rae Jackson Bristow (1889-1937). He was a graduate of North Kansas City High School and then joined the Army Air Corps, serving in the South Pacific during World War 11. His siblings were John, Rosemary, Margaret Bristow Fauer, and Charles Winford Bristow (1918-1942). His wife was Odel Bristow and his daughter was Mary Kathleen Bristow, age four.
Broussard, Sgt. Joseph D.
Born October 12, 1931, a son of Dewey J. Broussard (1908-1985) and Rose Aimee Broussard (1909-2000) he was from Maurice, Louisiana. He attended Maurice High School in 1947-48. There is a memorial marker for him in Saint Alphonsus Cemetery, Maurice, Louisiana.
Chute, Cpl. Arthur F.
Corporal Chute was born in Saco, Maine in 1931, a son of Arthur F. Chute (1903-1965) and Catherine Margie McCarn Chute (1901-1981). His siblings were Lloyd Francis Chute (1924-1991), Mrs. Josephine Wheeler, and John W. Chute.
Collins, Capt. Emmett Edward
Captain Collins was born on September 13, 1907 in Billings, Montana, a son of George Collins and Bessie Elizabeth Turner Collins Brazier (1880-1968). His brother was Paul Lee Collins (1912-1977).
Counsell, Capt. John Edward
Captain Counsell was born on March 27, 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Dr. Chester Mason Counsell (1883-1967) and Muriel Susan James Counsell (1886-1964).
Crow, Cpl. Jack R.
Corporal Crow was a son of Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Crow of the Detroit area. He attended Northwestern High School, but enlisted in the Air Force after his junior year. He completed his high school degree while in the military. He completed Air Force school at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. He had two siblings.qqqqqqqq
Cullen, Gen. Paul Thomas
Born May 30, 1901 in Peru, Paul Thomas Cullen was an US Air Force General. First commander of the 7th Air Division of Strategic Air Command and deputy commander and chief of staff of the 2nd Air Force. Lost and presumed killed when his C-124A Globemaster II transport ditched and sank during a routine Atlantic flight to the United Kingdom. Cullen and his command staff were picked up at Barksdale Air Force Base by the airplane that had left Walker Air Force Base at Roswell, N.M., with almost 50 of the nation's top strategic bombing and nuclear weapons personnel from the 509th Bomb Group.
On March 23, 1951, about 800 miles southwest of Ireland, the airplane issued a Mayday call, reporting a fire in the cargo crates. The C-124 ditched and all aboard exited safely with life preservers and climbed into life rafts equipped with cold weather gear, food, water, flares, and Gibson Girl hand-cranked emergency radios. A B-29 from England located the survivors, who fired several flares, but was not carrying any rescue equipment. The B-29 radioed the coordinates of the survivors and circled until it was reached critical fuel and was forced to return to base.
When the first rescue craft reached the scene 19 hours later, all that was found was a burned briefcase and a partially deflated life raft. Despite the largest air and sea search up to that time, not one body was found. Cullen and the 53 men with him had disappeared. Later it was revealed that Soviet submarines and surface vessels were active in the area. It has been speculated that Cullen and his companions were taken aboard Soviet submarines and brought to Russia for interrogation.
Due to their expertise in nuclear and other defense matters, Cullen and the other men on the airplane would have been an intelligence windfall to the Soviets. Cullen had been the air service's leading expert on aerial reconnaissance and aerial photography. He also was the head of photography at the Crossroads atom bomb tests in the Pacific in the late 1940s. He also had served as commander of the 2nd Operations Group on two occasions during World War II. An Air Force trophy for excellence in aerial reconnaissance, the Brig. Gen. Paul T. Cullen Award, was named in his honor. (bio by: John Andrew Prime)
General Cullen was married to Reva Joy Hurwitz, a Denver Post military writer. [KWE Note: Mrs. Cullen was born in 1915 and died in 1989. A New York Times article in 1946 shows Paul Thomas Cullen was at that time engaged to Edith Virginia Sinnott, daughter of the ex-postmaster of Brooklyn.]
Davies, Capt. Francis N. "Frank"
Capt Francis M. "Frank" Davies
Captain Davies was born December 07, 1918. Captain Davies' widow was Virginia "Ginnie" Arnold Davies, daughter of Dr. Clifford H. Arnold, who was the brother of General "Hap" Arnold. She never remarried, and lived in the same house in Tucson from about 1958. She was born on September 01, 1913 and was a reservation agent with American Airlines when she married Frank Davies in 1948. After she lost Frank, her father also died. He was in the Army Medical Corp in World War I and World War II. Hap Arnold attended Francis and Virginia's wedding, in El Paso, Texas. According to the wedding newspaper announcement, Captain Davies flew in the Caribbean and South America during World War II. Ginnie Davies died August 02, 2014 in Tucson.
Dubach, Capt. Mark Otto
Captain Dubach was born August 08, 1916 in Kansas City, Missouri, a son of Otto Frederick Dubach (1875-1960) and Ana King Dubach (1876-1975). He was married to Betty Lee Good in 1948. Betty later married John J. Foster and they were parents of two children. Betty Foster was born in 1920 and died in 2019. Mark's siblings were Merrill King Dubach Sr. (1903-1980), Kenneth Myers Dubach (1904-1990) and Frank Everett Dubach (1910-1994).
Dudek, Capt. Miezyslaw Thomas "Mathew"
Captain Dudek was born July 18, 19in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of Andrew Dudek (1884-1974) and Frances Dudek (1893-1962). From West Allis, Minnesota, he was a chain belt inspector before being recalled to the service in March 1951. He originally enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 30, 1942 in San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, Texas. He had a wife Mabel and two children.
Dughman, S/Sgt. Gene Dale
Sergeant Dughman was born June 13, 1926 in Seneca, Nebraska, a son of Rolland Glen Dughman (1892-1952) and Chloe Beatrice Evans Dughman (1906-1951). He was married to Helen Marie McCarthy (9/23/1926-10/23/2014). Helen later married James Oscar Carey. She lived in Omaha, Nebraska. Gene's sibling was John Whitesul Dughman (1930-2002).
Fife, 1Lt. Jack Radford
Lieutenant Fife was born October 14, 1919, Houston Heights, Harris County, Texas, a son of James Emmett Fife Sr. (1878-1929) and Anna Mae Boyd Fife. His siblings were James Emmett Fife Jr. and an infant sister (1917-1917).
Fisher, 2Lt. William Edward Jr.
Born August 27, 1922 in Oklahoma, he was the son of William Edward Fisher (1889-1965) and Elizabeth Florence Dean Fisher (1895-1976) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His siblings were Elizabeth Dean (Bettie) Fisher and Ruth E. Fisher. There is a memorial marker for him in Rose Hill Burial Park, Oklahoma City.
Gray, Col. Kenneth Neil
Born June 5, 1909 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was a son of Conard Neil Gray (1873-1942) and Mabel Helen R. Taylor Gray (1876-1928). He married Franc Angela Fischer Gray (1909-1988) in 1939. His brother was Edward Taylor Gray (1906-1908). He was a SAC budget officer from Minnesota. There is a marker in his memory at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Green, T/Sgt. Charles Edgar
Sergeant Green was born November 27, 1921 in Haworth, Oklahoma, a son of Vance Joseph Green Sr. (1891-1985) and Luaddie Robinson Green (1897-1959). His siblings were Vance Joseph Green Jr. (1914-1934), Melba Louise Green (1919-1936), Charles Edgar Green, Earl Eugene Green, and James Harold Green.
Greene, S/Sgt. Thomas Eli Sr.
Sergeant Greene was born May 06, 1915, son of Christopher Wilson Greene (1882-1952( and Connie Thompson Greene (1892-1928). He was married to Ethel Mae Eubanks on January 29, 1939. Their son was Don Thomas Greene (1939-1973). He was also married to Hazel E. MacDonald Greene. They had sons Thomas Eli Greene Jr. (1942-2015) and Winston Ray Greene (1941-1942).
Hopkins, Ltc. James I. "Hop" Jr.
James I. Hopkins was a native of Palestine, Texas. He attended Texas A&M college for three years before enlisting in the Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on February 7, 1941. He married Catherine Crittenden shortly thereafter. They had two children, Jim (1941--) and Patricia (1945-2017). After the war began, he deployed to North Africa with the Desert Air Force, a component of the Ninth Air Force in support of General Bernard L. Montgomery's Eighth Army. He flew 43 combat missions and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. After his return to the US he became an instructor pilot and then was assigned as Operations Officer to the 393rd Bomb Squadron commanded by LTC Tom Classen. The 393rd was then chosen to be the strike force of the newly created 509th Composite Bomb Group in Wendover, Utah, commanded by Colonel Paul Tibbets with Classen as his deputy, and (now) Major Hopkins continuing as Operations Officer. After intense training the 509th deployed to Tinian North Field, Mariana Islands where he flew the photographic plane on the Nagasaki mission. He was promoted to LTC a few weeks later. After the war, the 509th was relocated to Walker Air Force Base, Roswell, New Mexico. LTC Hopkins remained with the 509th and played a key role in Operation Crossroads which saw the third atomic bomb dropped. He was subsequently selected to attend the Air War College and after graduation joined the Headquarters of the Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Nebraska where he was serving at the time of his last flight on the C-124 Globemaster that ditched on March 23, 1951 in the North Atlantic.
(Thanks to Scott Muselin for the details of LTC Hopkins's military assignments.)
Kampert, Capt. Robert Kenneth
Captain Kampert was a World War II veteran who was recalled to service in March 1951. Born March 28, 1916 in Barrington, Illinois, a son of Herbert Lampbert Kampert (1886-1947) and Frieda Wanda Berg Kampert (1891-1984), he was the co-owner of the Nu-Block Company cement firm in Barrington, IL. He married Lorraine Minnie Maicke Kampert (1918-2000) in 1942, and they were parents of four small children. His siblings were Roger Henry Kampert (1910-1970), and (the KWE believes) Herbert, Chester, Keith, Mrs. Raymond (Betty M.) Schmidt (1923-2007), Mrs. Ralph (Joan) Raessner, Mrs. Frank (Pat) Trestick, and Mrs. Richard (Kay) Blizzard.
Kelly, Capt. Thomas Robert
Captain Kelly was born November 11, 1918 in Springfield, Illinois, a son of Thomas Edward Kelly (1887-1945) and Mary McCutcheon Kelly (1889-1980). Mary later married Leo Shea. Captain Kelly flew 72 missions as a bombardier during World War II. He was recalled to service in March 1951. His wife was Mildred and he had two sons, Kenneth, age 5 months, and Greg, age 4 years. Thomas' siblings included 1Lt. John Edward Kelly, who was killed in action April 29, 1945 in Mamming, Germany while serving as a platoon leader in the 124th Armored Engineer Battalion, 13th Armored Division. He also had a sister, Mary K. Kelly and brother George B. Kelly.
Lutjeans, Samuel Pearson
Samuel Lutjeans was born June 18, 1919 in Michigan, a son of Alfred George Lutjeans (1882-1930) and Rose Buberle Lutjeans (1890-1958). He was a graduate of Lakeview High School. During World War II he was shot down in a bombing mission and was held as a prisoner of war in Germany for one year. He married Geniveve E. Greenberg (1922-2011). He was recalled to service in March 1951. Besides his wife, he was survived by a daughter Nanette, age 3. Among his siblings were Theodore R. Lutjeans (1923-1947), Alfred G. Lutjeans (1925-2002), Marianne Olivia Lutjeans Dytkowski, and Joan Lutjeans Karger (1924-1973).
Mathers, 2Lt. Howard Poehler
Lieutenant Mathers was born October 23, 1922 in Casper, Wyoming, a son of Andrew "Andy" Leon Mathers (1880-1947) and Marvel Augusta Poehler Mathers (1895-1938). His siblings were Roberta Ann Mathers and Glenn T. Mathers.
McKoy, Ltc. Edwin Anderson II
Lieutenant McKoy was born January 13, 1913 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Edwin Anderson McKoy Sr. (1874-1930) and Catherine Malcomson Gadsden McKoy (1889-1971). His sister was Mrs. Charles Paul (Margaret McKoy) MacDonald Sr. There is a marker in Edwin's honor in the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California.
Peterson, Walter
See News Articles section below.
Porter, Calvin
Phillip Porter's website is dedicated to his father, Capt. Calvin Porter, one of the missing passengers from this Globemaster crash landing, and the other passengers and crew members. The site included accident reports, newspaper articles, and documents about this Globemaster.
Missing C-124 Globemaster
Rafferty, Capt. Lawrence E.
Born June 13, 1921 in Highland Park, IL., Captain Rafferty was captain of a bombing crew in Europe during World War II. He served with the 759th Bomb Squadron during that war. From Great Lakes, Illinois, he was recalled to service in March 1951. He had a wife Frances and four children between the ages of two and five at the time the Globemaster crew and passengers disappeared.
Captain Rafferty had completed 50 missions in three months in World War II starting on D-Day and received a medal of bravery for one of those missions. His wife Frances was coloring Easter eggs on Good Friday with her four children when servicemen came to her home to deliver the telegram that her husband's plane has disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean. Captain Rafferty was only 29 and a passenger on a plane going to the British Isles.
Wife = Thecla Frances Fortman Rafferty. Children = Sandra L., Minna Elizabeth, Stephen, Linda M., and Lawrence Rafferty. Parents = Alexander Andrew & Minna Johanna Elizabeth Christine Gensch Rafferty.
10 March 1951 Walker AFB New Mexico, Area 51, SAC - Capt Lawrence Rafferty, Pilot, is reactivated during the Korean War as General Curtis LeMay expands Strategic Air Command capabilities. Larry is assigned to the 715th Weapons Squadron, Medium, of the 509th Bomb Wing. Larry was going to be checked out in the B-50D Medium Bomber, capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This Bomb Wing delivered "Fat Man", the 1st nuclear weapon against Japan. The 509th was the core of SAC. Capt. Rafferty, who is currently non-qualified, will be upgraded to Pilot current, after training missions at Lakenheath & Mildenhall RAFB. His orders have been cut and direct that, he will be unaccompanied. (Upon completion of training his pregnant wife Frannie and children may come later.)
26 March 2012, 3:15PM Arlington National Cemetery Washington D.C. Capt. Lawrence E. Raferty is memorialized in a service attended by his widow, Francis Fortman Rafferty, his children, grandchildren, two Fortman families, his sister, Rosemary Rafferty Beckman, age 93 and four Rafferty nieces and nephews. May he Rest in Peace wherever this Warrior lies.
26 Mar 2012 Grave-Side..... Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC. 3:15 PM Monday, the Funeral Cortage, with its Military Casson, carrying the flag draped coffin in memory of Capt. Larry Rafferty and pulled by 4 Air Force horses winds its way through the tombstone surrounded pathways of Arlington. A Color Guard leads the way with an Air Force Band following in front of the Casson. A crowd of some 63 people follow the coffin to a hillside grave site. There is Larry's tombstone. Two Chaplains read the service in front of widow Frannie Fortman Rafferty. From the crest of the hill three volleys of gunfire ring out in salute to Larry. The crowd is mournful in the breezy afternoon sun. The flag presentation is finished and the AF Colonel Chaplain presents the flag to Frannie. "On behalf of the President and people of the United States, please accept our deepest sorrow at your loss and let me present you ............"
Scarbrough, Everett Doyle
Master Sergeant Scarbrough was born October 19, 1924 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, a son of John Wesley Scarbrough (Indian Territory Oklahoma 1899-1991) and Jessie Beulah Johnson Scarbrough (Chickasaw National 1898-1988). He married Martha Belle Beaty (1913-1987) on March 3, 1951, twenty days before he and the other passengers/crew of the Globemaster disappeared. Martha later married Marshall B. Wise, but they divorced in 1984. Martha died November 26, 1987. Everett's siblings were Benjamin "Paul" Scarbrough (1933-2021) and Wesley Alden "Pete" Scarbrough (died 2021).
VanGilder, Taylor Hawkins
Sergeant VanGilder was born June 03, 1923 in Greene County, Arkansas, a son of Simeon C. VanGilder (1900-1967) and Arla Ann (Arlie) Wright VanGilder (1902-1986). Taylor enlisted in the military on October 24, 1945 at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida. He married Thelma Simpson (later Mrs. Johnnie J. Busher) in 1943. His siblings were Stanley Woodrow VanGilder (1919-2008) and Deborah Gail VanGilder Segas (1963-1989).
Vincent, Roger S.
Born December 16, 1913 in Sandwich, Illinois, Roger was a son of Charles Vincent (1865-1952) and Elizabeth A. Howard Vincent (1867-1946). His wife was Betty Vincent and his little daughter was Linda Vincent. His siblings were Florence Edna Vincent Stahlberg (1888-1989), Kitte M. Vincent Walters (1894-1977) and Clair Lyle Vincent (1901-1902). There is a marker for him in Arlington National Cemetery. See also News Articles section below.
Wagner, Walter A. Jr.
Walter A. Wagner, Jr.
Walter Wagner was a pilot with the 509th Bomb Wing, 830th Bomb Squadron. The following biography was submitted to the KWE on September 15, 2013, by Captain Wagner's son, Don. His son told us:
"I am Don Wagner, the son of Capt. Walter A. Wagner, Jr. I am a retired naval aviator with 30 years of service and survivor of two plane crashes. Point of information: My brothers and I first gained access to the Accident Investigation file in the mid nineties thru numerous FOIA requests. Prior to this initial and partial release, the Accident Investigation file was Top Secret. The complete and unfettered/undoctored file is still Top Secret. Much of the information and facts contained in my Dad's bio concerning the ditching is thanks to Capt Muller and other members of the 830th Bomb Squadron."
Bio - Walter A. Wagner, Jr. Captain (Major) USAF
Walter A. Wagner Jr. was born to Walter Wagner Sr. and Nora Wagner on 6 February 1917, in the small town of Delta, Colorado. He was the second of four children and the first grandson of the notorious outlaw Butch Cassidy. He grew up on horseback in the high country of Colorado's Grand Mesa, where his father was a forest ranger. Walt Jr. graduated with honors from Grand Mesa High School and again with honors from UCLA, majoring in mathematics and physics.
With war raging in Europe and the Pacific, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 and entered flight school. After earning his wings on 27 Jun 1941, 2nd Lieutenant Wagner was assigned to the 75th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. In January 1942 he was transferred to the 73rd Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Composite Group, Aleutians, Territory of Alaska. In February 1942, Lieutenant Wagner was assigned to fly one of the 17 new Martin B-26 Marauders.
On 3 and 4 June 1942, the Japanese Carrier Assault Task Force launched attacks on Dutch Harbor. Lieutenant Wagner and the airmen of the 73rd joined the foray and flew their first combat missions. Although none of the carriers were damaged, two Japanese dive bombers, 3 Zeros, and 2 Nakajima E8N2s were shot down. From June 1942 through April 1943 the Marauders flew almost daily missions against the Japanese invasion forces. In October 1942, Lieutenant Wagner was in the five plane flight that attacked two Japanese destroyers, sinking the Oboro Maru and severely crippling the Hatsuharu Maru while losing one Marauder and its crew.
In April 1943 the Marauders were withdrawn from the Aleutian campaign and reassigned to other air groups and squadrons. With ten months of demanding aerial combat flying, Captain Wagner was assigned advanced instructor duties and shuttled from base to base, qualifying in new type bombers, conducting the final phase of training and preparing bomber crews for the greatest challenge of their lives: aviate, navigate, communicate, engage the enemy, and survive. He performed these arduous duties at the following Army airfields: Lakeland, Ft. Worth, Barksdale, Kearns, Davis Monthan, Pueblo, and Peterson. While at Pueblo AAF, his wife Geraldine gave birth to their first son, Orren.
In addition to his duties training bomber crews, Captain Wagner was also a member of the select crew which flew General Hap Arnold across the Atlantic and into the Allies' areas of operation in Europe.
Following the end of World War II, Captain Wagner received orders to McChord Field, Washington, and remained there until May 1946, when he was transferred to Howard Field, U.S. Canal Zone. The 6th Air Force assigned Captain Wagner to the 6th Fighter Wing's Emergency Rescue Unit at Howard Field. His aircraft was the Boeing TB17H. His first flight was an areas of operation familiarization hop: Howard to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Windward Islands, Trinidad and return leg to Howard. In October, Captain Wagner became a plank member of and instructor at the newly established 1st Rescue Squadron. He continued flying the modified B17s and on 13 March 1947, he was assigned duties to fly and deliver two B17s to Barksdale Field, Louisiana, then proceed to Norton Field, California and ferry two OA-10s (PBY Catalinas) back to Howard Field. He flew search, rescue, recovery, and escort missions all over Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and as far away as Florida and the Bahamas. The 6th Air Force ensured there were no U.S. Military flights over water without an escort by or near proximity stationing of 1st Rescue Squadron aircraft.
At the end of May 1949, Captain Wagner, his wife Geraldine, and their two sons, Orren and Donald, departed the Canal Zone for the United States mainland. Walter was issued orders to Mather Air Force Base, California to attend the Advanced Officer School, required for promotion to Major. Upon successful completion of AOS he received orders to report to the 509th Bomb Wing, AFSAC, Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico.
On 8 March 1950, Captain Wagner joined the 509th "Atomic Bombers" and was assigned to the 830th Bomb Squadron to fly the B-29D/50 Silverplate Superfortress. Gerry was busy setting up their newly-purchased house at 1617 West Alameda Street in Roswell, while the two lads, Orren and Don explored the neighborhoods with their spaniels, Queenie and Blackie.
On 25 June 1950, the Russian trained, equipped, and supplied Communist North Korean military launched a massive assault across the 38th Parallel in Korea and swept south, virtually unopposed, trapping what was left of the South Korean Army and the handful of American "advisors" in a small enclave around Pusan.
In July and August 1950, Captain Wagner accompanied hand-picked bomber crews of the 830th and 393rd to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida for Combat Crew Standardization Training. Returning to home plate at Walker, Captain Wagner and the crews resumed their flying of the Silverplate Superfortresses with renewed intensity. They knew that the Strategic Air Command was literally America's and Western Europe's only line of defense against Stalin's Russian hordes. The 509th stood up forward detachments of B-50s, aircrews, and support personnel in RAFBs Mildenhall and Lakenheath, England. The aircrews were on a 90-day rotation cycle, with a week to ten days overlap for handoff of missions, aircraft, and areas of operation orientation flights. The 2nd Strategic Support Squadron flew their C-124 Globemasters from Walker AFB to England delivering parts, supplies, replacement personnel, and rotating aircrews.
In March 1951, Captain Wagner's file was sent to the Majors Promotion Board. That same month he received orders for a ninety-day rotation with the 509th Forward in England. On the 21st of March he boarded C-124 #9244 and departed Walker with the other replacement crews bound for RAFB Mildenhall, England. They picked up Brigadier General Cullen and his staff of the newly-activated 7th Air Division (headquarters were to be established at South Rueslip, London, England). The flight was uneventful until 0110 Zulu, the 23rd of March, when three explosions rocked the cabin section and set off fires under the cargo crates. Fighting the fires proved hopeless and the Globemaster was forced to ditch. They were in radio contact with the British weather ship Explorer, which fixed the exact ditching point and relayed through high frequency radio to RAFB Shannon, Ireland and on to RAFB Mildenhall, England. Two Soviet guard ships, Orel and Kurshun, their topsides festooned with antennas, were shadowing the Explorer.
A single B-50 immediately launched out of England. Captain Wagner's best friend from the 830th, Capt. Harry H. Muller, was the flight commander. Captain Muller and crew flew into the black of night over the cloud-covered North Atlantic. The British weather ship Explorer provided radar vector positioning to the Superfortress and guided them to the ditching point. Muller's crew spotted the men, who were in life rafts, firing flares. The Superfortress began a low, slow, fuel-conserving orbit over the men. Their array of landing lights and spot lights illuminated the area. Thanks to the hand-cranked emergency Gibson Girls radios, the men and the Superfortress were in constant contact. All hands had survived the ditching and were awaiting rescue. The B-50 relayed through the Explorer via high frequency radio that they had located the men. No other aircraft came to relieve the B-50. The weather ship Explorer, although its crew was highly trained in locating and rescuing downed aircrews, did not leave its position. When the Superfortress reached critical fuel, Captain Muller had to make the gut-wrenching decision to abandon the men and return to base.
Two days later, when the "official" search began, the men had disappeared. The only remnants were a partially deflated life raft and Capt. Lawrence Rafferty's pilot valise. An eyewitness account from this time revealed around fifty U.S. airmen and a general officer's staff brought to a Soviet gulag facility outside of Moscow.
Captain Wagner was selected for promotion to Major while listed as Missing In Action. The Air Force refused to honor the promotion. He left behind a wife, Geraldine, and three sons, Orren, Don and Roy. He was also one of the very few aviators in the Air Force that held the ratings for pilot, navigator, and bombardier. His ratings included the B-17, B-18, B-24, B-25, B-26, B-29D, B-50, and OA10 (PBY Catalina).
[KWE Note: For an in-depth story about Captain Wagner, see 101 News (HighlandLakes.com), "Memorial Day: Mystery Over the Atlantic Ocean", authored by Daniel Clifton and published May 26, 2019.]
Witkowski, Raymond Louis
Captain Witkowski was born on August 28, 1915 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was a former Milwaukee County, Wisconsin medical examiner's assistant. The son of Anna M. Placzek of Milwaukee, he enlisted in the Air Corps on March 2, 1942. There is a marker for him in Arlington Park Cemetery, Greenfield, Wisconsin.
Zabawa, Capt. Edwin D.
Captain Zabawa was 31 years of age and from Franklin Park, IL. He was a graduate of Leyden Township High School and was a bombardier with the 8th Air Force during World War II. He was recalled to service in March 1951. He had a wife Sheila, age 27, and daughters Sharon, age 5, and Pamela, age 3.
Zalac, Capt. Frank B.
Age 29, Captain Zalac of Elwood, Illinois, served in World War II from 1942 to 1946 and served in the Pacific. He was recalled to service in March 1951. He was born May 23, 1922 in Pennsylvania. He had a wife Isabella, age 28, and an 8-month old son Matthew. Isabella Antoinette "Anna" Vuletick Zalac was born in 1924 and died in 2017.
Zweygartt, John Candee
A 1949 graduate of the School of Business Administration, University of Connecticut, John Zweygartt was from Hartford, Connecticut. Born August 15, 1923, he was the husband of Frances Zweygartt, the son of Henry Jacob Zweygarrt (1885-1940) and Lucy A. Locke Zweygartt (1887-1961), and the grandson of Mrs. R.D. Locke. He had a small son when the plane he was on went missing. His siblings were Robert Locke Zweygarrt (1917-1999), Henry Jacob Zweygartt Jr. (1914-1915), Mary C. Zweygarrt Flagler (1918-1983), and Mrs. Loring Griggs.
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"Capt John C. Zweygatt, 27, who was aboard an Air Force transport lost off the coast of Ireland, March 23, has been listed officially dead, according to an Air Force notification received Monday by his mother at 109 Grennan Rd, West Hartford. The Air Force made the finding after what it calls the largest air and sea searches for one plane. Fifty planes and five ships criss-crossed the North Atlantic area in which the Globemaster disappeared in the fog on Good Friday. Charred debris found in the water was later identified as belonging to the plane. Captain Zwegartt's wife, Frances, and their 2-year old son are making their home with his mother. He was graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1941 and joined the Army when he was 17. He served as a flyer in the Pacific in World War II.
Captain Zweygartt was employed by the Hartford Insurance Company. He had been transferred to Chicago by the company and was recalled to active duty drom from an Air Force Reserve Unit there. He had been on active duty for two weeks when his plane was reported lost. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Trinity Church, Mrs. Zweygartt said, on Monday night."
Air Force Times, 2011
Little remains today to mark the life of Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Thomas Cullen. A quiet park on the East Reservation of Barksdale Air Force Base bears his name, and for about 40 years the 2nd Air Force of Strategic Air Command awarded a trophy in his name, but that ended in 1992 when SAC closed its shop. The official biographies page on the Air Force website does not list his name or share his life story.
A senior general officer at 2nd Air Force headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, he boarded a C-124 transport, tail number 49-0244, the afternoon of March 22, 1951, along with a handful of his senior staff officers. After a refueling stop in Maine, the transport that left Walker Air Force Base at Roswell, N.M., with 48 top pilots, bombardiers and weapons technicians from the service's nuclear 509th Bomb Group, flew east toward the British Isles. The airplane never arrived. It disappeared into the Atlantic gales, and into the annals of mystery, on March 23, 1951, Good Friday. Just under 60 of the nation's top nuclear military personnel had vanished, while the Cold War was starting and this nation was in combat in Korea.
"I think they [Cullen and his companions] would have been a very lucrative target" of the Russians, said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Peyton Cole, a former 2nd Bomb Wing commander whose late father, also an Air Force general, shut down Walker Air Force Base in the 1960s. His opinion is shared by former 2nd Bomb Wing historian Shawn Bohannon, now an archivist at LSU Shreveport. "It would have been a coup if they [the Soviets] had got their hands on that bunch of guys," Bohannon said. "No doubt about it."
Cullen had command experience in World War II, but a broken back and prolonged recovery shifted him into a field in which he excelled: photo-reconnaissance. He became the service's leading expert, handling photography at the top-secret Crossroads atom bomb tests in the late 1940s. He adapted the first jet airplanes for spy photography over North Korea and Russia, where he had been assigned briefly during World War II.
At the time of his death, he was a past commander and current vice commander of 2nd Air Force, and his mission to England was to form the Strategic Air Command's 7th Air Division, which would be the speartip of any U.S. strategic actions in Europe. That was the assignment Cullen was headed to when he and the hand-picked men with him disappeared.
Early March 23, about 800 miles southwest of Ireland, the C-124 issued a Mayday call, reporting a fire in the cargo hold. According to the Walker Air Force Base Museum website, "the aircraft was intact when it touched down on the ocean. All hands exited the aircraft wearing life preservers and climbed into the inflated 5 man life rafts. The rafts were equipped with cold weather gear, food, water, flares and Gibson Girl hand-crank(ed) emergency radios."
According to contemporary reports, a B-29 from England saw several flares fired and life rafts. But the B-29 was not carrying any rescue equipment. It radioed the coordinates of the survivors and circled until it reached critical low fuel and was forced to return to base.
As soon as daylight and weather conditions permitted, rescue ships, eventually including dozens of airplanes, weather ships, a British submarine and several Navy warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, scoured thousands of square miles of ocean in what has been called the greatest sea-search in history, to no avail. "Ships and planes continued searching for the next several days but not a single body was found," the page says. "The men of C-124 No. 49-0244 had quite simply disappeared. ... It is a fact that Soviet submarines and surface vessels were active in this area and that the Soviets had no qualms about capturing and holding American servicemen, particularly aviators. We do not know what fate befell these men."
Freedom of Information Act requests were sent to the State Department, CIA, FBI and other agencies, all of whom directed queries to the Air Force. The Air Force provided a 140-page accident report that can be summarized in one sentence: The C-124 ditched in one piece, but nothing, including human remains, was found aside, from some charred plywood and a single briefcase.
Cullen and his wife, Edith Virginia Sinnott Cullen, had no children. Attempts to locate any of Cullen's family were unsuccessful.
Retired naval aviator Don Wagner, who was 3 years old when his father, decorated World War II pilot Capt. Walter Wagner, disappeared with Cullen on that flight, believes the men were taken to Russia on one or more submarines to have their brains picked. Thanks to service in Russia during World War II, Cullen would have been known and valued to Soviet intelligence.
Wagner thinks that after failing to find the missing men, and lacking any good explanation of what happened to them, the military "covered it up. I was looking up the history of each of the airmen who were aboard the flight. Most have been deleted or hidden or are non-existent."
The accident report notes that the Office of Special Investigations looked into reports of sabotage but found no evidence, something Wagner finds hard to believe. "There was one civilian that boarded the plane, [and] was on the flight either through Barksdale or [Maine] then got off," he said. He thinks that civilian, who knew when to get off the airplane, is the key to the mystery.
That U.S. military personnel were captured by Eastern bloc nations during the Cold War is a fact, noted in the web pages of the Defense Prisoner of War and Missing Personnel Office, which notes "the numerous accounts of Americans sighted in the Stalin-era Gulag prison camp system and the Soviet correctional labor colony system for political prisoners that succeeded the Gulag."
Though the loss of Cullen and the other men is hardly remembered by the Air Force today, it was shattering at the time. "I remember the incident vividly and the last time I saw my father and his buddies," Wagner said. "This accident devastated the Walker Air Force Base community and had a horrible impact on SAC and the U.S. Air Force. ... I still remember the huge commemorative services held at Walker for the missing officers and crewmen."
Ralph Ambrose lost a brother, George Ambrose, and a cousin, Sterling Ambrose. All were from Brunswick, Md. "I was 15 at the time it happened," Ralph Ambrose said. The military "sent us a few telegrams saying they were searching, that they found just a couple of pieces [of debris]," but were not told the investigation determined the airplane likely belly-landed intact, since cargo that would have survived and floated, like empty B-29 fuel tanks and spare aircraft tires, were never recovered. "We didn't hear any of that," he said.
Cole said he remains "astounded the slowness of the [search] response. Today that just wouldn't happen. It's astounding to me [rescuers] waited two days while they knew these men were in the water. They should have launched another airplane to relieve the first B-29. They should have ‘held hands' with those guys until surface craft arrived."
Bohannon wonders if the Soviets could have snatched the men from under the eyes of a searching armada. "All the [Soviets] had were modified German Type IX U-boats at that time. I don't know." Cole also has doubts. "If you are going to capture 53 souls, that's pretty difficult to hide," he said.
But these were U.S. military personnel left behind on a field of battle of the Cold War, and whose families deserve answers to this day. "A tremendous question begs to be answered," Cole said. "What happened to these men?"
Paintings in Brunswick City Hall honor Ambrose cousins
Originally published March 24, 2010 - By Patti S. Borda, News-Post Staff
Photo by Skip Lawrence
Artist Buck Musser on Tuesday donated two paintings of Brunswick-area veterans to Brunswick City Hall. Mayor Carroll A. Jones, left, holds the painting of Sterling Ambrose, whose nickname was Junior. Musser holds the painting of George W. Ambrose. The cousins went missing in action on March 23, 1951.
Two cousins lost at sea in 1951 have at last come home to Brunswick. Paintings of Air Force Sgt. George W. Ambrose Jr. and Pvt. Sterling L. Ambrose Jr. will hang in City Hall to honor their memory. Artist and veteran Buck Musser made the paintings as part of his ongoing mission to recognize local service members who have given their lives.
Mayor Carroll Jones accepted the gifts from Musser on Tuesday at Brunswick City Hall. Copies of the paintings will also hang at the Brunswick Veterans of Foreign Wars hall, Musser said. He donated those and copies to surviving family.
Ralph Ambrose, George Ambrose's brother and only surviving family member, attended the donation ceremony. Tuesday marked the 49th anniversary of the plane crash that took the lives of his brother and cousin. Ralph was 15 at the time. "We started getting telegrams" after the crash, he said, but no official word came until a week or so later when an official military car brought news. Ralph Ambrose said he and his father had seen "the brown car running around town" in search of his family's house and his cousin's. "We knew what it was." Ralph Ambrose and his wife, Lorraine, live not far from the Ninth Avenue home where he and his brother lived.
Jones said the city takes pride in honoring service members: A veterans memorial on A Street and an annual parade are testament. The paintings will be one more tribute. "They'll be in the public area of City Hall," Jones said.
A report from the Battle Monuments Commission states that the crash involving the Ambrose cousins occurred March 23, 1951, between Gander, Newfoundland, and England. A transport aircraft assigned to the 4013th Arms Electrical Maintenance Squadron, 509th Bomber Wing was headed from Newfoundland to Mildenhall Air Base, England. The plane "disappeared about 600 miles from Ireland," killing 53, including Brig. Gen. Paul Cullen, according to the report.
The cousins had joined the service at the same time, Lorraine Ambrose said. At the time of the crash, George Ambrose was 21, and Sterling Ambrose was 19. "They went in together, went down together," she said. "Now they're home." "I just wanted to keep them alive," Musser said. "They've come home on the day they died."
Friday, March 23, 1951 No Trace Of Craft Found In Atlantic
Searchers From Three Nations Join Hunt, Brig. Gen. Cullen Is Believed Passenger
"A giant U.S. Air Force transport plane with 53 persons aboard vanished in fog and rain over the Atlantic Ocean today while en route from the United States to England. One of the passengers was believed to be a brigadier general.
Search and rescue planes from three nations scoured the wind-tossed seas in a thus far fruitless search for some trace of wreckage, survivors or life rafts. Officials at Shannon airport in Ireland said the big plane, a C-124, which is known as the Globemaster radioed at 1 a.m. that it had 52 persons aboard including a VIP (very important person) with the rank of brigadier general . At the time of the report that plane crew gave their position as 800 miles southwest of Ireland.
The plane, of a type used to ferry personnel and supplies across the ocean, was en route to Mildenhall Air Base, Suffolk from the base at Limestone, Maine. At Limestone, the base public information officer confirmed that 53 persons were aboard. British, Irish and U.S. Planes were engaged in the search for the Globemaster, which normally would carry life rafts.
The Royal Air Force control station directing the search operations said the plane carried a Brigadier General Cullens. This report aroused belief that he was Brig. Gen. Paul T. Cullen, deputy commander at Barksdale Field, near Shreveport, Louisiana, who left there Wednesday for a European destination.
The U.S. Third Air Division, headquarters here and the Royal Air Force said they had no information about the number of persons aboard. The British Press association did not announce the source of its information on the number.
Air Force headquarters here and in Washington also would not confirm that General Cullen was on board. American and British search and rescue planes, some carrying lifeboats, combed the area where the plane was last reported, but saw no signs of the missing Globemaster even after it was presumed to have exhausted its gas supply.
That type of plane normally carries its own life rafts, equipped with ample food, water and clothing to enable its passengers to survive for sometime. The search planes reported low ceilings and bad weather in the area.
The missing plane took off from an intermediate stop at Gander, Newfoundland, at 4:20 p.m. (11:20a.m. EST) yesterday and was due at Mildenhall at 5:20p.m. (12:20 a.m.) Today. The first alert was sent out at 3:49a.m. (10:49p.m. EST Thursday) after the craft failed to give further position reports. No information was received from any of the weather ships along the route which the huge craft was supposed to follow.
The C-124, larger, more modern version of the C-74 troop and cargo plane, is capable of transporting more than 200 troops with full field equipment. When fully loaded it can fly about 2,000 miles without refueling."
Roger Vincent
Walter Peterson
"The community was shocked Friday when it became known that Captains Roger Vincent and Walter Peterson were aboard the ill fated plane, the Globemaster, which was reported missing on a flight from Limestone, ME, Air Base to the United States Air Force Base at Mildenhall, England. 53 were aboard the plane.
Captains Peterson and Vincent, both veterans of World War II, had been recalled to active duty on March 10 when they reported at O'Hare field near Chicago for their orders. They were among the 1500 reserves of the 441st Troop Carrier Wing at O'Hare Field to be called. The 441st was activated in June 1949 and the pilots trained on week ends at the field in C-46 transport planes.
The two pilots were assigned to the Strategic Air Command. They were assigned to the air base at Roswell, NM, and given a week for travel time. On Monday they were given orders for overseas duty and on Tuesday evening, Captain Vincent called his wife here to tell her he was going overseas. Captain Peterson's family had gone to his wife's parents home in Amarillo, TX, when it was learned that he would go overseas.
Friday afternoon Mrs. Vincent received official word from the government that her husband was aboard the Globemaster and that she would be informed of further developments. On Sunday she received another telegram stating that the search for the missing plane was being continued. Mrs. Peterson received similar messages in Texas and called her husband's relatives here to tell them the tragic news.
Both pilots had outstanding records in World War II and received the Distinguished flying Cross in recognition. Captain Peterson flew his first thirty missions in the European Theater of operations in a few months and then returned to the States. Later he was sent to the Pacific theater of operations.
Captain Vincent flew 1000 hours over the Hump in the China-Burma-India theater of operations. On returning to Sandwich he established the Sandwich airport and taught many of the people in this area to fly a plane. About two years ago, he became co-owner of the Sandwich Motor Co.
Captain Vincent's wife is the former Bette Scott. They have one daughter, Linda Lea, three years old. His father, Dr. C. S. Vincent, is now in California and one of his sisters, Mrs. Carl Walters, resides here.
Captain Peterson farmed for a year on his return from service and then started to work for the Otto Machine Co. He has two sons, Garry, who is remaining here with the Wm. Walker family until school is out, and Barry, 4, and a little daughter, Marilyn, 2, who are with their mother in Texas. Captain Peterson, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Albert Peterson, has a brother, Jerome, and three sisters, Mrs. Alvin Miller, Mrs. August Otto, and Mrs. Randall Miller, living in this community, and a sister, Mrs. T. W. Wigton in Aurora.
The giant Globemaster, a C-124 transport, disappeared in fog and rain at 7 p.m. Thursday. It was last heard from in a routine radio report of its position 800 miles southwest of the Irish coast.
The entire community is anxiously awaiting further word concerning these fine young men."
Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
A Splendid Ceremony: Team Whiteman honors original Striker at Arlington
by Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar, 509th Bomb Wing
Published October 18, 2021
Seventy years after the disappearance of a C-124 Globlemaster II over the Atlantic Ocean, members of the 509th Bomb Wing honored, U.S. Lt. Col. James I. Hopkins, during a memorial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
On March 21, 1951, a C-124 Globemaster II commanded by Major Robert J. Bell, 2nd Strategic Support Squadron, departed Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico. Loaded with aircrews and equipment of the 509th Bomber Group, their final destination was RAF Lakenheath, England. The aircraft never made it to England, and the 53 passengers on board were never seen again.
The 509th BW, opened the memorial ceremony with a flyover by a T-38 Talon, from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. "It was an honor to be a part of the memorial service for Lt. Col. Hopkins," said Col. Keith Butler, 509th Operations Group commander. "As our Airman's Creed states, ‘I am faithful to a proud heritage,' being a part of Whiteman Air Force Base is no different. We often say we stand on the shoulders of the great men and women who have paved the way for us. Without the contributions of Lt. Col. Hopkins, we would not be who we are, America's premier bomb wing capable of executing our mission anytime, anywhere."
Hopkins was a Maj. at the time of the atomic missions. During which he piloted the Big Stink, a B-29 Superfortress, the aircraft assigned to photograph the atomic bomb mission against Nagasaki.
Following World War II, Hopkins stayed with the 509th BG at Walker AFB. Which is where some of his family's favorite memories stemmed from. "While we were stationed [there] after the war, my father deployed to England for three months," said James K. Hopkins, Lt. Col. Hopkins' son. "When he returned, my mother, sister and I went to greet him at the base. When dad landed his plane, the bomb bay doors opened and out dropped a brand new English bicycle. I'm pretty sure that wasn't allowed, but I loved it anyway."
Hopkins was later promoted to Chief of Personnel for U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Eventually, ending up temporarily assigned to the SAC staff at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It was during this assignment that Hopkins boarded a plane that would become part of the largest air and sea search up to that time.
After picking up members of the 509th Bomber Group at Walker AFB, the C-124 stopped at Barksdale AFB and picked up Cullen and his staff, including Hopkins. According to the Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives, approximately 800 miles southwest of Ireland the C-124 gave out a Mayday call, reporting a fire in the cargo crates. The 509th BG element stationed in England launched a B-29 to search for survivors. While the survivors were reportedly located, the B-29 was unequipped to aid in the rescue. By the time the first rescue craft reached the area 19 hours later, no one could be found.
A headstone was placed for Hopkins in his hometown of Palestine, Texas, in 1951. Last year, Hopkins started the 18-month process to have his father honored at Arlington. "A few years ago I learned about the mystery surrounding the C-124 crash that claimed my father and 52 other men," said Hopkins. "He is now the fifth person from the crash to have a headstone at Arlington. Having my father honored at Arlington means that he won't be forgotten."
On Sept. 30, four members assigned to the 509th BW had the honor to witness the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, recognizing Hopkins sacrifice and commemorating his contributions to the 509th BW.
"It was a splendid ceremony, my family and I really appreciated all of the effort that everyone put into it. My father loved flying, serving his country, and he had loved being in the 509th Bomber Group," said Hopkins. "The 509th Bomb Wing's participation cements my connection with the past and I am grateful my father's story is being told."
William H. Graham was a civilian war correspondent and aviation editor of New York Journal of Commerce. He was working with Composite Squadron 190 aboard the USS Princeton CV-37, and was a passenger on AD4 #124045 when it crashed into the sea on takeoff. His body was recovered. The pilot, LCDR Donald E. Bruce, was injured but he was rescued.
Captain James Darrell Heath was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-739994) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On March 8, 1951, while on a combat mission, he made a low altitude run at enemy positions east of Munsu-ri, Korea and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was declared legally dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Heath was born September 11, 1920 in Texas. He was married to Ruby L. Heath and they had children James D. Jr. (7 years), Roger Lee (5 years), and Elizabeth (3 years). A reservist called to duty in 1948, Captain Heath destroyed 376 enemy trucks and six pieces of mobile artillery, as well as damaged nine warehouses before his plane crashed. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
First Lieutenant Francis Alexander Holcomb was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#45-11350) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On March 18, 1951, while departing Airfield K-10 (Chinhae) on a combat mission, his engine failed on take-off and the aircraft ditched in the nearby bay. His remains were recovered. Lieutenant Holcomb was born February 01, 1924, in Amarillo, Texas, the son of Earl Adolphus Holcomb and Clairisse Dorothy Kight Holcomb. Lieutenant Holcomb was born February 01, 1924, in Amarillo, Texas, the son of Earl Adolphus Holcomb (1898-1978) and Clarissa Dorothy Kight Holcomb (1896-1978). In 1949 he married Sally Palmer (later Field) (1922-2011) and they had an infant son, Mark Holcomb. Lieutenant Holcomb was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. He is buried in Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
C-119B Flying Boxcar transport (#48-345) served with the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group based at Ashiya Air Base, Japan. On March 29, 1951, while on a mission, the right engine fell off the plane and the aircraft crash-landed about six miles south of Hongchon, Korea. There were five crew members onboard. Maj. Maurice Johnson, the pilot, stayed at the controls until all crewmen had safely bailed out. He was the only person killed in the crash. A USMC Bell HTL-4 helicopter participated in the successful Search and Rescue effort. The KWE would like to know the names of the four crew members who survived this crash. To add information to this page contact us.
Fatality
Johnson, Maj. Maurice - Born November 14, 1920, son of Beacher Jones Johnson (1890-1975) and Minnie B. Efird Johnson (1892-1921). His siblings were Hassel B. Johnson (1913-1974) and Mrs. Lynn Howard (Jackie Hortense Johnson) Lindahl (1917-1974). Major Johnson is buried at Restland Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas.
Captain George Elbert Gray was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On April 5, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions, his aircraft crashed five miles south of Pyongyang, North Korea. His remains were not recovered. Captain Gray was born October 05, 1920 in Hemphill, West Virginia, the only child of George N. and Addie DeHart Gray. He was married on July 27, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, to Loretta Sandros Gray. He graduated in 1938 from Kimball Negro District High School in Kimball, West Virginia. He worked at the U.S. Naval Powder Factory in Indian Head, Maryland from November 1941 until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He joined the Tuskegee program after entering service at Bolling Field, Anacostia, Washington, DC on September 17, 1942. During World War II he received the Distinguished Flying Cross as an original Tuskegee Airman. During the war he flew 102 combat missions in the Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France Air Offensive in Europe and Naples-Foggia campaign. In addition to the DFC, he received an Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. After the war he attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and became the first Black American to become a weather officer in the Master Air Weather Analysis Service in the Pentagon Building. When the Korean War broke out he was sent to Korea and was on his 13th combat mission when his aircraft was shot down. His widow died on September 15, 2017 at the age of 95.
On April 8, 1951, while on a armed reconnaissance mission of supporting a rescue effort, a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-569) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed five miles west of Yongyu-ri, Korea.
Missing in Action:
Alpern, 1Lt. Edward Norman - Lieutenant Alpern was born April 17, 1927, a son of Herman L. Alpern (1899-1974). His brother was Selig Alpern. On his 77th combat mission he was shot down in Korea ten days before his 24th birthday. Lieutenant Alpern was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf clusters.
On April 10, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions, an RF-51D Mustang fighter bomber (#44-84792) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing crashed into a hill. The pilot's remains were not recovered.
Andridge, Maj. Herbert Wendell Jr. - Major Andridge was born November 03, 1915 in Michigan, a son of Herbert Wendell Andridge Sr. (1892-1961) and Mildred Adelaide Balcom Andridge (1895-1959). He was married to Mildred N.S. Andridge of Dallas, Texas. His siblings were Wilmer K. "Stub" Andridge (1918-1995), Marian Lee Andridge Walkup (1920-1990) and Alan D. Andridge (1928-1980).
Pilot Ralph Henry Johnson spent two and a half years in a Korean prisoner of war camps after the North Koreans shot his plane down in 1951. During his imprisonment his captors repeatedly beat and interrogated him. The Admiralty officially reported Johnson dead and sent his parents his death certificate. It was not until 8 month later that they found out that he was still alive. Johnson moved between four different prison camps before the North Koreans finally released him. In addition to the official Admiralty report, Johnson wrote a personal account of his experiences after his release.
DPAA report: "Captain William Thomas Haskett, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Virginia, was assigned to the 16th Communications Squadron with temporary duty to the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group. Approximately one hour before noon on April 14, 1951, he departed Pusan West Air Base piloting an F-51 Mustang (tail number 44-74401, call sign Wild West How 1). The briefed mission was an armed reconnaissance operation searching for targets of opportunity in an area between Sariwon and Chisong-ni, Korea. As the flight approached Sansan-ni, Captain Haskett's wingman observed a small stream of coolant coming from the cowling and advised him of the situation. The flight soon turned east, and ten minutes later Captain Haskett released the canopy of his Mustang, exiting the aircraft just before it crashed ten miles south of Chisong-ni. His wingman observed Captain Haskett land safely and disappear into a wooded area. That was the last time anyone ever saw Captain Haskett alive. Air searches of the area were unsuccessful in locating him following the crash. A former prisoner of war reported that on May 20, 1951, he saw Captain Haskett's name, rank, service number, and type of aircraft written on a log in a bunker east of Sinmak. A Chinese doctor and several guards indicated that Capt Haskett had passed through the area a few days earlier, but they later denied all knowledge of him. Additionally, no returning prisoners mentioned having made contact with Captain Haskett, and he remains unaccounted-for." In the book American Trophies (2013) by Sauter and Zimmerlee, it states that Captain Haskett was seen by POW Carl Helms on the morning of August 29, 1953 when Helms was released. Captain Haskett was born September 11, 1916, the son of William Thomas Haskett Sr. (1890-1951) and Mary Emma Wallace Haskett (1895-1985). He was married to Catherine Jones (1921-1994) in November of 1939 and they had four children. Captain Haskett was the recipient of an Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters.
First Lieutenant Roma Carl Foglesong Jr. was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang fighter (#44-84749) with the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. On April 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames six miles south of Kaesong, South Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Foglesong was born April 06, 1925 in West Virginia, the son of Roma Carl Fogleson Sr. (1902-1960) and S. Louise Shamblen Foglesong (1903-1993). He was married to Billie Jean Dobbs (later Paxton) (1927-2004). Lieutenant Fogleson was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA Report: Captain Charles Joseph "Brownie" Brown joined the U.S. Air Force from West Virginia and was a member of the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. On April 17, 1951, he took off from Taegu Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-51D Mustang (tail number 44-71615) as part of a reconnaissance mission over North Korea. During the mission, Capt Brown located two camouflaged enemy trucks twenty miles northeast of Kaesong, North Korea. While making a pass over these targets, Capt Brown's Mustang was hit by enemy ground fire, causing it to crash into a hill to the north. Other pilots on the mission did not see Capt Brown escape the aircraft before the crash, and there was no sign that he survived the incident. Enemy control of the area prevented ground investigations of the Mustang's crash site. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Capt Brown, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Brownie was shot down by ground fire during a low level visual pass over a potential target. He radioed his wingman that he'd been hit, and his aircraft crashed into the ground. It was his 65th mission. Brownie's wingman flew over the area for 40 minutes, but saw no signs of life. Captain Brown was born November 23, 1921 in Charleston, West Virginia. He was married to Ruth Patricias Mullen (later McKinnon) (1923-1996) in 1945. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Forty-three passengers and crew members were killed when a Cuban airliner collided with a Navy plane on April 25, 1951. The Navy plane was participating in an instrument training flight. Both planes crashed into the ocean and there were no survivors.
Further information about this tragedy can be found in a UP article entitled, "Airliner and Navy Plane Collide; 43 Persons Die", St. Petersburg, FL, April 26, 1951, p. 1 - KEY WEST — (UP) — "A Cuban airliner and a Navy plane practicing "blind" flying rammed together in a cloudless sky over Key West yesterday and 43 persons perished when the two shattered aircraft plummeted into the ocean. There were no survivors. Thirty-four passengers, including 28 North Americans, and a Cuban crew of five went down with the Cubana Airlines DC-6 in 80 feet of water within sight of hundreds of horrified bathers in Key West's public beach. Four Navy flyers perished in their twin-engined Beechcraft which fluttered into the ocean "like a falling leaf," an observer said...."
Bardsley, Eugene Samuel (co-pilot) - Eugene was born October 15, 1930 in Spokane, Washington, a son of Samuel Paul Bardsley (1902-1952) and Leah Eugenia Stiefel Bardsley (1906-1990). His siblings were Paul William Bardsley (1929-2008), Leon Joel Bardsley (1932-2020), Stephen Jerome Bardsley (1941-2020) and Sandra Bardsley.
Gasser, Alfred LeRoy (aviation radioman 1c) - Alfred was born February 27, 1926 in Sauk County, Wisconsin, a son of Martin Charles Gasser (1908-1968) and Margaret E. LeSage Gasser (1906-1988). His siblings were LeRoy Leonard "Smokey" Gasser (1928-1997), Thomas M. Gasser (1930-2004), Phillip A. Gasser (1932-2018), Jeanette Gasser Klang, and Charles J. Gasser (1934-2010).
Ready, Francis Lavelle (midshipman) - Francis was from Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.
Stuart, Lt.jg. Robert Lawlor (co-pilot) - Robert was born May 03, 1922 in Newton, Massachusetts, the son of Vincent Cyril Stuart (1895-1946). He married Rebecca Arlney Berlin Bell (1924-1992) in 1948. Their children were Kathryn A. "Kathy" Stuart and Barbara "Bobbi" Stuart Martz.
Click HERE to read the Accident Investigation Report put out by the Civil Aeronautics Board, October 22, 1951.
Captain Chauncey Aubrey Bennett Jr. was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74029) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On April 30, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire. He bailed out over enemy territory and was taken Prisoner of War. He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. His remains were not recovered. Captain Bennett was born December 05, 1922 in Gainesville, Florida, the son of Chauncey Aubrey Bennett Sr. (1893-1947) and Margaret E. McQuiston Bennett (1898-1963). He was married to Ina Jo Wrench (later McKenzie) (1925-2020) in 1948, and they had a daughter Betty Bennett (Wallen). Captain Bennett was the recipient of a Silver Star and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On this date C-47D #44-77261A ("Kyushu Gypsies") with the 1st Psychological Warfare Company, 21st Troop Carrie Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Wing departed Taegu Air Base with a crew of six to drop leaflets near the Seoul highway. During the mission the aircraft was shot down.
Missing Crew:
Gross, MSgt. Robert Franklin (radio operator) - Sergeant Gross was born November 29, 1927 in Greensboro, Alabama, the son of Robert and Bernice Gross. He and his wife Mamie Johnson Gross were parents of an eight-month-old son at the time of the shootdown. Sergeant Gross's name appears on the Nielsen-Henderson List. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Habakangas, Capt. Wilbert Edward (co-pilot) - Captain Habakangas was born May 04, 1920, the son of Edward W. Habakangas (1892-1961) and Ila E. Saari Habakangas (1898-1991). He was married in 1942 to (1) Darline Schmitten (later Weigang) (1920-2018) and (2) to Hazel Marsman Hennigar Habakangas (1923-2005). He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Maniatty, Capt. John Steven (pilot) - Captain Maniatty was born April 09, 1922, a son of Steven Peter Maniatty (1891-1985) and Ellen S. Baines Maniatty (1894-1927). He was one of five brothers that served in the military during World War II. His siblings included Anne S. (1915-2009, Peter S. (1917-1948), Asimakus S. "Ash" (1918-1995), Philo Steven (1921-1943), George Stavrou (1923-1979), Arthur Steven (1925-2012), Hermes S. (1929-2023), Christopher, Leo, Perry, Connie and Michael Steven Maniatty (1934-1989). He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.
Ratti, Cpl. Joseph Clement - Corporal Ratti was born December 29, 1928. He was a 1946 graduate of the Chicago Catholic School System. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
Seese, TSgt. Robert Lester (engineer) - Sergeant Seese was born September 10, 1 918 in Brownfield, Pennsylvania, a son of Benjamin Franklin Seese (1878-1947) and Elizabeth Maude "Lizzie" Malik Seese (1883-1972). In 1942 he was married to Mary Jeanne Nelson (later Weaver) (1921-2014. His siblings were Edward John (1903-1959), Charles Benjamin (1909-1983), Kenneth Ellsworth (1913-1977), Ruth Pauline Seese Lippencott (1915-1971), Mary Elizabeth Seese Bakewell (1921-2009), Dolores Antoinette Seese Koon (1925-2001), William and Orval. Sergeant Seese was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Andrews, 1Lt. Charles Melvin - DPAA: First Lieutenant Charles Melvin Andrews, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Texas, was a member of the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On May 3, 1951, he piloted a single-seat F-80 Shooting Star (serial number 49-583A) on an armed reconnaissance mission over Sunan, North Korea. While strafing an enemy runway in Sunan, 1st Lt Andrews’s aircraft was hit by enemy gunfire, causing it to crash and explode at the south end of the runway. Witnesses to the incident reported that 1st Lt Andrews did not eject from the aircraft as it went down, and they saw no sign of him following the crash. Heavy enemy presence on the runway prevented ground searches for him, and he was not seen again. Attempts to recover his remains following the war were unsuccessful. Lieutenant Andrews was born November 30, 1928, the son of Melvin Andrews (1900-1973) and Eunice "Mae" Pearl Gant Andrews (1905-1980).
Ltjg. Fenton B. Robbins was the pilot of an AD-4 Skyraider dive bomber with Attack Squadron 145 (702) aboard the carrier USS Boxer (CV-21). On May 7, 1951, he was making a strafing run on an enemy machine gun position three miles east of Inje, when his aircraft was hit by small arms fire and crashed. Lieutenant Robbins was born November 08, 1922 in Blakely, Arkansas, a son of William "Willy" Furgeson Robbins (1892-1987) and Alma Margurette Smith Robbins (1903-1983). He was married to Jo Nell Robbins. His siblings were Raymond Burton Robbins (1921-1999), Marion Eugene "Gene" Robbins (1924-2010), John Clyde "Johnnie" Robbins (1927-2004), Sylvia Robbins and Clark Robbins. Lieutenant Robbins is buried in Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Lt. Col. William N. Hensley died as the result of a Thunderbolt jet crash near Cleveland, Texas, on May 10, 1951. Lieutenant Colonel Hensley was a veteran of World War II. He led his B-29 Superfortress from the Marianas to northern Japan on the longest bombing mission during World War II, 4,400 miles. During the Korean War he was stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. On May 10, 1951 he was in a Thunderbolt jet aircraft on a practice mission, when his engine flamed out and the aircraft crashed near Cleveland, Texas.
Fatality
Hensley, LT COL William N. - William N. Hensley was born on 14 August 1918 in Pasadena, California, son of William Nicholas Hensley (1881-1929) and Matie Maynard Hensley (1890-1971). He graduated as the valedictorian of his law class at Cumberland University at age twenty. He taught at Cumberland until he was old enough to take the Texas bar exams in 1939, which he passed with the highest grades ever achieved.
He enlisted in the Army's Enlisted Reserve Corps in 1937. He was commissioned in 1941 and received his pilot rating. He was called to active duty immediately after Pearl Harbor, and by 1944 was promoted to Major. He was shipped to Guam where he commanded the 16th Bombardment Squadron and led bombing missions against Japan, flying 105 combat hours and receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, numerous other awards and decorations and was credited with participating in four major campaigns. He was released from active duty in 1946.
On 1 January 1947 he became the District Attorney for Bexar County and that same year he helped to organize the 182d Fighter Squadron as its commander. His unit was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict and he underwent F-84E training at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. While en-route back to Langley from San Antonio, his plane crashed and burned just north of Houston, Texas on 10 May 1951. His dedication to duty and faith was symbolized by the small Bible and Texas flag found in his pocket at the scene of the crash. He was honored by having Hensley Field and the Hensley Hangar of the 149th Tactical Fighter Group dedicated to his memory. Lieutenant Colonel Hensley married Patricia A. "Pat" Lundgren. Born 1927 and died 2017, Pat later married Robert A. Hollingsworth (1925-2016). William and Pat are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
2Lt. Harold Shelton Forster was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73995) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On May 17, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames near Chuncon, Korea. His remains were recovered. Lieutenant Forster was born December 25, 1921 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, a son of Adolf Forster (1888-1946) and Myrtle Carrie Turner (Brown) (1899-1973). He was married to Martha Julia Rampenthal Kennemer (later Wells) and they had sons Harold (age 3) and James "Rick" (age 2). His siblings were Noble B. Forster (1920-1988) and Gracile Forster Lake (1926-2006). Lieutenant Forster graduated from Pensacola High School in 1941 and joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. After the war he was discharged in 1945. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1949 before being recalled to active duty. He is buried in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Commander Richard Charles Merrick was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a the pilot of an AD-4Q Skyraider dive bomber (Queen) (#123925) and the Commanding Officer of Carrier Air Group 19, aboard the carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On 18 May 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed with full bomb load about 25 miles northeast of Seoul. Commander Merrick was born May 28, 1911 in Weiser, Idaho, the son of Robert Endicott Merrick and Anne Watson Merrick. He was married to Mary Jane Hilen (1915-2006) and they had two sons at the time of his loss. The boys (one was named Richard E. Merrick 1949-1977) were two years old and nine months old Commander Merrick was the recipient of a Navy Cross and Bronze Star. He is buried near his wife and son in Vashon Island Cemetery, Vashon, Washington.
Navy Cross Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Richard Charles Merrick (NSN: 0-77551), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commander, Carrier Air Group Nineteen (CAG-19), attached to the U.S.S. Princeton (CV-37), and as a Strike Leader during operations against enemy North Korean and Chinese Communist forces in direct support of United Nations forces in Korea, in May 1951. On two separate occasions, displaying extraordinary qualities of leadership and personal heroism, Commander Merrick participated in and led such aggressive attacks against the enemy and enemy installations that the resultant damage imposed a visible setback to the Pukhan River as scheduled, and of relieving an extremely hard-pressed and threatened unit of our own forces. His bravery in the face of intense enemy fire were characteristic of this outstanding officer whose conduct and performance were at all times an example of the spirit which fosters the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
On 23 May 1951, a C-124 Globemaster crashed in a field near New Castle, Indiana, during an experimental flight originating from Wright-Patterson AFB. One hour after leaving the base, two of the four propellers on the huge aircraft reversed pitch, causing it to lose altitude. As the pilot attempted an emergency landing, the C-124 clipped several trees, which "caused the plane to hit the earth with such violence that parts of the plane were strewn over a charred and churned path several hundred feet long before it finally came to rest right side up." The plane burst into flames, and firefighters were stationed at the scene throughout the night attempting to keep an intact fuel tank from exploding. The twelve personnel on board were assigned to the Air Development Force at Wright-Patterson. There were five survivors and seven fatalities.
The tragedy of this experimental flight was underscored by the main headline over a photograph of the crash on the front page of the New Castle Courier: "Allies Smash Across 38th." The crash of an experimental aircraft was a reminder that the dangers of war were not just in combat. Many men and women gave their lives for the cause at home as well.
Manifest
Fatalities:
Baughn, Vivien Paul - Buried in Washington Cemetery, Fayette County, Ohio. See newspaper article, "Two Local Men Killed in Fiery Plane Crash". Motion picture sound technician Air Development Command; born June 16, 1906, Fayette County, Ohio, son of Werter Stanley and Audry L. Brock Baughn; husband of Donna S. Straley; father of David Lee Baughn and Beverly Baughn.)
Blair, Capt. Francis M. - Buried in Highland Lawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, Indiana. Observer; born July 2, 1914; veteran of World War II)
Hellmuth, Robert L. - Buried in St. Bernard Cemetery. See newspaper article, "Two Local Men Killed in Fiery Plane Crash". Technician & mechanical engineer in the vibrations testing division at Wright-Patterson AFB; born February 4, 1922, in Springfield, Ohio, son of Mrs. Andrew A. Hellmuth; brother of Andrew L., Paul, and Mary Rita Hellmuth; World War II veteran who participated in the liberation of the Philippines, discharged late in 1946.)
Holm, Harold R, Jr. - Equipment engineer
Say, John R. - Buried in St. Johns Catholic Cemetery, Delphos, Allen County, Ohio. Civilian sound technician; born January 26, 1918; husband of Jane Deffenbaugh.
Shady, M/Sgt. Donald L. - Flight engineer; son of Oscar L. and Josephine O. Baker Shady, Ft. Wayne, IN
Varnum, Capt. Richard B. - Buried in Ronan Cemetery, Ronan, Montana. Wife Fern L. and daughters Nancy Lynn and Judy; World War II veteran with 50 missions as a medium bomber pilot in the Italian campaign; born August 12, 1921.
[KWE Note: Due to copyright issues, we leave it up to our readers to locate the following news articles. Our thanks to the Clark County and Henry County Historical Societies for telling us about them.]
Rome News-Tribune, May 24, 1951 - "7 Die in Crash of Globemaster, New Castle, IN" - May 24 "The Air Force today studied a pilot's harrowing account of how his giant Globemaster cargo plane crashed and burned near New Castle, killing seven and injuring five others aboard. The huge 110-ton craft--an experimental plane capable of carrying 200 equipped infantrymen--exploded in flight yesterday and terrified onlookers who watched it plummet to the ground in flames. Capt. John M. Christianson, the pilot who climbed out of the wreckage unaided with four other survivors, said the 4-engine plane developed mechanical difficulties when he tried to crash-land. He explained: "I went to the nearest open field but was unable to clear a growth of trees."....
New Castle Courier Times, Newcastle, Indiana, May 1951 - "Two Local Men Killed in Fiery Plane Crash"....
New Castle Courier Times (May 1951), Newcastle, Indiana - "Falls Here, Burns. Seven, Maybe Eight, Lose Lives in Fiery Crash SE of City. Big Ship Barely Misses Farmhouse, Then Rips Littered Path Into Field." "Seven, and possibly eight men met flaming death at 10:30 o'clock this morning as a big C-124 army cargo plane crashed southeast of Newcastle. The huge, four-motored ship clipped off a television antenna on a farm house, tore the top out of a tree in the front yard, then plowed on for more than a quarter of a mile, uprooting and snapping off trees and scattering flaming wreckage along its path. The plane was one hour out of Wright field, Dayton, on an experimental mission...."
New Castle Courier Times, May 24, 1951, "Plane Crash Death Toll is Seven; Five Others Alive". "The toll of dead is established today at seven in the crash of the air force C-124 yesterday on the George Ball farm, five miles southeast of New Castle. One of the five survivors remained in a critical condition today in the Henry County hospital. One of the pilots, who survived, yesterday said 13 had been aboard the plane, leading to the belief there might be eight dead....."
New Castle Courier Times, May 24, 1951, "Fire Flares From Wreck Again In Night. Firefighters, Others Get Long Workout." "Fire broke out again last night at about 8:30 in what was left of the big C-1224 transport plane which crashed west of New Lisbon yesterday morning. New Castle's fire department put out the blaze in the remaining motor with 100 gallons of water and what remaining foam they had left. The department also shoveled dirt on the fire when its water ran out. Keeping the remaining 3,000 gallons of gasoline from exploding resulted in a long day for New Castle's, New Lisbon's and Lewisville's fire departments. The local department arrived at the scene of the tragedy about 10:45 a.m. and stayed until 9:15 p.m....."
On June 02, 1951, two P-47s in a 15-plane formation crashed one mile southwest of Brookhaven Natoinal Laboratory (New York), where atomic energy experients were conducted. The aircraft were part of the 119th Fighter Group, New Jersey Air National Guard. The cause of the crash was one P-47 striking the other between the wings and tail. The planes' pilots did not survive.
Fatalities:
Eltz, 1Lt. George Nicholas (#44-90423) - Lieutenant Eltz was born February 27, 1923 in New York. He married Eileen McCarthy (1923-2004) in 1944 in North Carolina and they had two children. George's sister was Geneva Eltz. Lieutenant Eltz was a 20-mission veteran of Belgium and Germany and the recipient of an Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He is buried in Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum, Middle Village, New York.
Schelling, Maj. Thomas Henry Jr. (#44-33517) - Major Schelling was born October 31, 1917 in Bernardsville, New Jersey, the son of Thomas Henry Schelling Sr. (1894-1953) and Florence Agnes Lyons Schelling (1893-1963) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Major Schelling married EIleen Philomena Farrell (later Harding) on September 30, 1944, and they had two sons, Mark (age 6) and Jack (age 1) (1950-2022). Major Schelling was a veteran of 155 combat missions in Europe He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. His remains were cremated.
On June 03, 1951, a C-119B (#48-350) was hit in the tail by friendly artillery fire, causing the plane to crash into C-119B (#49-123) about three miles from Inje. Both aircrafts were involved in a supply mission consisting of ammunition to be dropped in the Inje District. While approaching the drop zone side by side, #48-350 was accidently fired upon by U.S. artillery, causing the plane to go out of control, hit the other, and send both planes crashing to the ground. Six crew onboard 49-123 were killed and four persons onboard 48-350 were killed in the collision. Both planes were sent to the combat zone in Korea from Stewart Air Base, Smyrna, Tennessee. To add information to this page, contact us.
Fatalities - #49-123
Beck, Cpl. Jack Alden ("kicker") - Born on July 27, 1929, Jack was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph L. Beck of Dayton, Ohio. He is buried in a common grave with S/Sgt. Winfred Morgan in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.
Bonner, 1Lt. James William (co-pilot) - James was born on May 14, 1927 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a son of Robert Addison Bonner (1900-1993) and Edna M. Larkin Bonner (1901-1975). His siblings were Robert Addison Bonner Jr. (1925-1983) and Addie Marie Parran (Mrs. Thomas Parran Jr. 1924-1997).
Cook, 1Lt. David Leon - David was born December 14, `927 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a son of Andrew James Cook (1890-1975) and Lena Capps Cook (1894-1961). His siblings were George Stacy Cook (1914-1989), Mrs. Willie Scott McRae (Ruby Cook - 1916-2003), Dewey James Cook (1918-1970), Robert Herman Cook (1921-1967), Andrew Garland Cook (1923-1992), Annie Ruth Cook (1928-1997), and Jeanne Cook Carlette (1933-1983). David is buried in Galatia Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Fayetteville.
Dorsey, SSgt. Carl James "Mick" (engineer) - Mick was born on January 2, 1925, and was 26 years old when he was killed in the crash. He was the husband of Mary Emrick Dorsey and the son of Hugh E. Dorsey (1886-1954) and Mae Lawler Dorsey (1888-1966) of Pennsylvania. His siblings were Georgina Dorsey Warner (1920=2003), John B. Dorsey (1922-2015), and Tom Dorsey. Two letters that Mick wrote home to his family survived and can be found on the KWE's Letters From the War Zone: The Carl J. Dorsey Letters.
Morgan, SSgt. Winfred O. (pilot) - Winfred was born September 24, 1922, a son of Alfred Leo Morgan (1889-1979) and Ida A. Simpson Morgan (1898-1990). There were 11 children in his family, including siblings Arthur Mitchell Morgan (1936-2019), Kenneth Lee Morgan (1939-2019), Coleman Emanuel Morgan (1911-1987), Myrna Barry, Mary Tuck, Frances Burney, Dorothy Rhymer, Lane Morgan and Arthur Morgan. Winfred is buried in a common grave with Cpl. Jack Alden Beck in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.
Sherman, 2Lt. Harry H. Jr. "kicker" - Born October 8, 1925, Harry was the son of Harry H. Sherman Sr. and the husband of Marie Bleuher Sherman (1929-2018). Marie later married Harlan L. Kimball. Harry and Marie had a daughter, Jayne Sherman (Mrs. Rex Howard Just). Harry is memorialized in Forest View Cemetery, Winsted, Connecticut. Harry had a sister.
Fatalities - #48-350
Alexander, Sgt. Floyd N. - Member of 8247th Port Agency - passenger - Born May 5, 1929 in Gilsum, Belknap County, New Hampshire, Floyd was a son of Carl B. Alexander Sr. (1897-1973) and Emma Viola Brown Alexander (1906-1946). He enlisted in the military in August of 1947, spent three and a half years in Japan, and then was sent to Korea. He was in that country for eight weeks before he was killed in the plane crash. He attended schools in Gilsum and Roosevelt and Franklin Jr. High Schools in Keene. His siblings were Carl B. Alexander Jr. and Frances Pauline Alexander (Mrs. Lorne Glenn Sherwood 1932-1956). Floyd is memorialized in Woodland Cemetery, Keene, New Hampshire.
Anderson, 1Lt. Eric W. (pilot) - Eric was born August 29, 1l922, son of World War I veteran Eric W. Anderson Sr. (1892-1938) and Cora F. Hume Anderson (18910-1989). He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Frances Anderson of Nashville. Eric and his parents are buried in Nashville National Cemetery, Madison, Tennessee.
Gilbert, 1Lt. John Mason - John Gilbert was born November 2, 1927, and was from Rochester, New York when he enlisted. He was the husband of Kathryn Gilbert of Iraan, Texas. He is buried in San Antonio National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
Rich, SSgt. Houston Ned Rich (flight engineer) - Houston was born March 29, 1927, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He is buried in Wilmington National Cemetery, Wilmington. He was the husband of Marie Rich. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran.
This C-82 (#45-57761)took off from Campbell Air Force Base in Kentucky en route to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and crashed in a pasture 4,5km south southwest of New Boston, Texas, and burned. The wreckage was scattered over four miles. There were eight fatalities and two survivors. The pilot was listed as William O. Duduck.
Fatalities:
Butterfield, Sgt. John L. (radio operator) - Sergeant Butterfield was born December 07, 1917 in Syracuse, New York, the son of John Wilfred Butterfield (1880-1953) and Marion Brown Butterfield (1879-1971). His wife was Lucia Warwick Butterfield and his children were James Butterfield, age 2 and a half, and Mary Elizabeth, age three months. His sisters were Marion Kingsley Butterfield Hough (1907-1996) and Jane Stiles Butterfield Balamoti (1910-1991). Sergeant Butterfield is buried in White Chapel Memory Gardens, Dewitt, New York.
Watson, Richard E. (chief mechanic) - Richard was born February 20, 1920, the son of Edison Guy Watson (1897-1979) and Amy L. Mitchell Watson (1898-1987). His sister was Dorothy M. Watson 1922-1923. Watson was a World War II veteran who was discharged into Active Reserve Corps with the National Guard. He was recalled to the Korean War.
Captain Jack Holly Hederstrom was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#45-11529) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On June 9, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed near the Taedong River at Kyomipo, North Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Hederstrom was born December 25, 1921, a son of Paul Andre Hederstrom Sr. (1897-1966) and Rosamond S. Hederstrom (1889-1976). He was married to Fedora Irene Hederstrom. Captain Hederstrom was the second of Paul and Rosamond Hederstrom's sons to be killed in action in combat. Jack Holly Hederstrom's brother, 1Lt. Paul Andre Hederstrom Jr. (1920-1945) was killed in Belgium during World War II. Captain Hederstrom was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On June 14, 1951, a twin-engine Navy PBY twin-engine Catalina patrol plane was on a training mission when it crashed and burned in a marsh about a mile and a half from an auxiliary field along the St. Johns River between Jacksonville and Green Cove Springs, Florida. A witness aid the plane's wheels were down as if it was coming in for a landing. It had reported no trouble. The nine persons aboard were part of a squadron called to active duty from a Jacksonville reserve unit about three months prior to the accident. Two were injured and seven were killed.
[Source: Panama City News Herald (Florida), June 15, 1951]
Fatalities
Jones, Aviation Ordnance Airman Turner Eugene - Gene was born November 24, 1928. The husband of Mrs. Shirley Turner Jones, Brooksville, Florida, he is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Inverness, Florida.
Kee, Lt. Comdr. Lester Clinton - Lester was born December 13, 1913 in Huntingdon, Tennesse, a son of Grover Cleveland Lee (1886-1954) and Vergia G. Gregson Kee (1890-1950). He was the husband of Mrs. Pauline Bowen Kee, formerly of Perth, Australia. They had a daughter, Karen Kee. Commander Kee had sisters Mary Katherine Kee West, Mattie Lee Kee O'Brien (1916-1993) and a brother, John S. Kee (1919-1989). Commander Kee is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Huntingdon, Tennessee.
Logwood, Aviation Radioman Third Class James Alexander Jr. - James was born April 27, 1924, in Savannah, Georgia, the son of James Alexander Sr. and Lurene Welch Logwood, Jacksonville, Florida. James is buried in Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Florida.
Stewart, Airman William Fred - "Freddy" was born May 16, 1931 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, the son of William Everett Stewart (1901-1965) and Eva Harris. He was survived by his stepmother, Jewell Harston Stewart (1917-2002), his half sister, Marilyn Kay Stewart Helton (1954-2024) and step-sister, Miss Barbara Jean Priddy. William is buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.
Trower, Aviation Mechanic Third Class Milton - Milton was born June 07, 1924 in Ancon, Panama, the son of James D. Tower of Coral Gables, Florida. The husband of Mrs. Louise Elizabeth Moore Trower, Jacksonville, Florida, they were married in 1947. Mrs. Trower (1928-2017) later was Mrs. Joe Carlucci and then Mrs. Israel McCreight. Milton is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.
Walizer, Aviation Mechanic First Class Clair Meek - Clair was born August 24, 1916 in Julian, Pennsylvania, a son of Rheuben D. Walizer (1870-1921) and Emma Straw Waslizer (later Mrs. Isaac Holt) (1874-1954). He married Sara Emily Huggins (1922-2016) on April 01, 1945, and they were parents of Clair Meek Walizer Jr. (1945-2022) and Pamela Ann Walizer, 18 months old at the time of the crash. His siblings were Raymond Rueben Walizer (1910-1970), Mrs. Ray Shawyer and Mrs. Adelbert Fithian. Clair graduated from Bellafonte High School, attended diesel school in Pittsburgh, and worked in the steel mills at Youngtown, Ohio, before joining the military. He served on the USS California prior to World War II, was at Alameda Naval Air Station for six months, and then at Pearl Harbor for half a year. He was in Hawaii for 32 months service. Clair is buried in Old Johnsonville Cemetery, Johnsonville, South Carolina.
Worley, Lt. Commander Lee Brown Jr. - Lee was born June 06, 1916 in Bryson, Tennessee, the son of Lee Brown Worley Sr. (1884-1937) and Lela Young Worley (1881-1963. In 1943 he married Eva Marie Dickinson. His sister was Mrs. Melvin M. (Ruby Maye Worley) Thweatt (1908-1978). Commander Worley is buried in Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Florida.
Injured
Barnett, Apprentice Airman John Dabbs - Clifton Forge, Virginia
Jones, Lt. (jg.) Ralph Howell - Atlantic Beach, Florida
This aircraft hit a ditch on landing, resulting in an aircraft fire. There was one fatality, Lt. B.W. Sevier. Dewey Mawson (VP2 1950-52), a member of the crew, remembers the following:
"Unckefure (I can't remember how to spell his name) and I were assigned to lower the depth charges from a plane returning from Adak. A wide ditch had been excavated across the end of the runway with the dirt piled on the side closest to the road. We thought it was odd that it wa left like that with no warning signs or flagging. We could see where planes had crossed over the road and to the clearing beyond, maybe about 50 yards. We were waiting in a small shack with the two men who were to take the charges to storage. The plane came down through the clouds, landed and immediately used reverse pitch. We commented that they did not have much runway left. The plane went behind the low hills and we lost sight of it. The we saw the smoke. We arrived at the same time as a Marine. The plane was parallel and right over the ditch, pointing to the left. Some of the crew was just outside the plane and the first words I heard was Chester Mclain yelling, "Dewey, where the hell's the meat wagon.
There was about a two foot space between the ditch and the plane. Chief ?? was lying on his back at the edge of the ditch. He yelled at us to get him away before the plane blew up. We pulled him along the ground by his parachute harness to where I had parked the truck. We were watching the crash crew at the front of the plane trying to get to the cockpit. Someone said "I hope the 20's don't start going off.
Then I was asked to why didn't I take the Chief to the hospital. I said that I wouldn't take anyone unless they could walk. Then Robert Houck got in and said "Take me." I made a mistake and drove around the plane where all the smoke was and I couldn't see a thing - thought I was going to hit something. Bob didn't look too bad, but he was complaining about his leg. At the hospital, I was watching the nurse as she was cutting Bob's pants leg when she said that I had better leave. The fire had gone up Bob's leg and it had to be amputated. If I remember right, there wasn't much left of the plane, only the wing tips and tail section. I wonder if the pilot go any commendation for probably saving the lives of his crew. He came out of the clouds to a short runway, then the base of the mountain was ahead of him, then that ditch the should not have been. I guess at the last instant he went to this left and skidded into the ditch. I went to the hospital that evening - Bob and the Chief were asleep. I don't remember if anyone else was there. I only remember two members of the crew - Chester Mclain, Ordnanceman, and Robert Houck. Recently, I found out that Phillip Warren was also a crewman on that ship." [Source: Patrol Squadron Two website - http://www.patron2.com/index.html]
Fatality
Sevier, LT Ben Wyly (Black) - Lieutenant Sevier was born November 18, 1925, a son of Gilbert J. Sevier Sr. (1894-1965) and Romie Helen Stiles Black Sevier (1899-1987). He was married to the former Mary Frances Carter and they had three children. He was the brother of Gilbert Joe Sevier (1930-2022) and Miss Marian Sevier. He attended Arlington Heights High School for three years, graduating from Midland High School. He attended Texas A&M College before entering military service. He is buried in Resthaven Memorial Park, Midland, Texas.
First Lieutenant Francis William "Scotty" Escott was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On June 16, 1951, while strafing enemy anti-aircraft positions near Chunhwa, North Korea, his aircraft, "Elie-Pat", was struck by enemy fire and his engine quit. He jettisoned his canopy but did not eject. His plane crashed near Sariwon, North Korea. Lieutenant Escott was born December 10, 1924. He was married and the father of a four-year-old daughter He attended Norwich University. Lieutenant Escott was the only member of the Vermont Air National Guard to be killed in the Korean War. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
First Lieutenant Lee Allen Harper served with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. He piloted an F-51D Mustang fighter (#45-11484) that took a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire on a combat mission. He tried to bail out at low altitude but could not. Lieutenant Harper was born May 23, 1921 in Hinton, West Virginia, the son of Lee Harper (1881-1937) and Lydia Grace Lilly Harper (1888-1968). He was married in 1943 to Lillian Eva Hancock (later Nelson) (1921-2012) and they had a daughter, Jane Sharon Harper. His siblings were Doris Harper Anderson (1909–1975), Leeda Grace Harper Lilly (1912–2002), Mrs. R.J. Baldwin, John William Harper (1913–1997), David Langston Harper (1923–1998), and Mrs. Cline B. Lilly. Lieutenant Harper is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Capt. Robert Holmes Laier was the pilot of a F-86A Sabrejet fighter interceptor (#49-1298) with the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On June 19, 1951, while on a combat mission near Sonchon, Korea, his aircraft was attacked by two MiG-15s. He parachuted to safety but was taken Prisoner of War. He was presumed dead on February 28, 1954. His remains were not recovered. Captain Laier was born May 02, 1927 in Kearney, Nebraska, the son of Paul Albert Laier (1901-1985) and Bernice Ellen Walker Laier (1904-2007). He was preceeded in death by a baby sister who was born and died in 1921. Captain Laier was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Lt. Albert Garrett Frisby was leading a flight of four Mustangs on an armed reconnaissance just north of Hanpo-ri. The flight had reached a position roughly four miles north-west of Sibyon-ni, when Lieutenant Frisby reported that he had been hit by anti-aircraft fire and was baling out at an altitude of 1000 feet. His aircraft's canopy was seen to fly off and a brown object, probably the pilot, was seen to fall from the crippled aircraft. No parachute was seen though, and it would appear that Lieutenant Frisby's parachute failed to open. His pilotless aircraft (#44-73049), turning to the left, continued to lose height until it struck flat ground near a river and was destroyed. An intensive search by two members of the flight failed to find him, and a search conducted by four aircraft later that day also failed to find any sign of him. Lieutenant Frisby was born November 25, 1923, the son of Natalie Mary Frisby. He was married to Thelma Mavis Engelbrecht Frisby on December 04, 1948, and they had dauthers Jennifer (born 1949) and Dawn Patricia (born 1950). Flying Cheetah Lieutenant Frisby was a graduate of Educated Boys' High School in Pretoria.
Capt. Frank Edward Miller Jr. was the pilot of a F-86E Sabrejet fighter bomber (#49-1276) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group, U.S. Air Force. On May 27, 1953, while on a combat mission, his aircraft suffered an internal explosion, and it crashed into the sea and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Captain Miller was born October 24, 1921, the son of Frank Edward Miller Sr. ( 1895-1074) and Adeline R. Miller (1894-1977). Captain Miller was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
DPAA report: Lieutenant Junior Grade Harley Stafford Harris Jr. entered the U.S. Navy from California and served with Attack Squadron 55. On June 28, 1951, he piloted an AD-4 Skyraider (bureau number 123855) that took off from the USS Princeton (CV-37) on a strafing run against enemy targets over North Korea. While over the target, the Skyraider was hit by enemy small arms ground fire and crashed. The aircraft exploded upon impact and burned, killing LTJG Harris. Other aircraft on the mission circled the crash site but saw no movement and, because of the active enemy presence, no ground recovery efforts to recover his remains were possible. He is still unaccounted-for. LIeutenant Harris was born July 22, 1924 in California, the son of Harley Stafford Harris Sr. (1901-1996) and Kate Stevens Harris (1901-1990). He was married to Ann Works Harris (1927-1983) in 1950.
Captain Raymond Jay Carlson was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73868) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On July 4, 1951, four ship flight of F-51Ds on armed recon and rail cut mission to target at Ichon, Hit by AAA, coolant leak, unsuccessful bail out attempt, aircraft bellied in on island in lake west of Pyongyang. Captain Carlson was born March 08, 1921 in Whitehall, Michigan. He was the husband of Cecilia Carlson. He joined the Army Air Corps in World War II. He is buried in Oakhurst Cemetery, Whitehall, Michigan.
DPAA report: Captain Joseph Mathews Babasa, Jr. entered the U.S. Air Force from Connecticut and was assigned to the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. On July 9, 1951, he was the pilot of an F-51D Mustang (tail number 44-73981, call sign "Ashcake Able") that took off from Seoul (Municipal) Air Base. The briefed mission was a multiple flight bombing operation targeting "Yongyu (number 2) Air Field" located southwest of Sunchon. Capt Babasa's group of Mustangs was instructed to target the gun positions around the airfield, allowing a flak-free attack by the trailing bombers. As the formation approached the targets, they broke-up into separate flights to make their dive-bombing runs, encountering intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. As Capt Babasa's flight made their attack, the flak became so thick that they became separated. After clearing the target area, the flight leader and his wingman proceeded to the rendezvous point; Capt Babasa failed to rejoin the formation. Due to the amount of enemy activity in the area, the formation quickly regrouped and departed the area. All subsequent aerial searches of the area failed to locate Capt Babasa or his aircraft. No returning POWs mentioned contact with Capt Babasa, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Captain Babasa was born July 06, 1922 in Arizona, a son of Jose A. Babasa (1896-1981) and Maria Mendez Babasa (1902-1998). He was married to Joan Onalee Belson (later Laurin) (1926-2019) in 1949 and they had two daughters, Christine and Kagan. Captain Babasa was the second of two sons in the Jose Babasa family that was killed in the Korean War. His brother, Sgt. Raul Benard Babasa, was born March 12, 1926, and was serving in Korea Headquarters Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, when a road grader rolled over on him and killed him February 28, 1951. They were survived by another brother, Louis Mendez Babasa, who died in 2014. Captain Babasa attended Tucson grade and high schools and attended the University of Arizona. He was serving in the New York National Guard when he was recalled to active duty in December of 1950. He had participiated in 100 missions in Korea.
F-94 #50-873A was in flight over Cape Cod when its engine flamed out at 3:30 p.m. and crashed near Peters Pond in Sandwich, Massachusetts. The pilot ejected, but was killed when his chute failed to open. The radar observer ejected safely and landed in a wooded area. Accident report: "On the afternoon of July 12, 1951, Lieutenant’s Clapp and Aaron took off from Otis Air Force Base for a training flight to practice “ground controlled approach” (GCA) landing procedures. Their F-94 (#50-873A) carried a full load of fuel, but was not equipped with external wing tanks. After making two successful landings, the pilot attempted a third. As the F-94 approached Otis AFB intending to land on runway 23, it “flamed out” and crashed in a wooded area about 150 yards to the east of Mill Road, and south of Route 6. This location is gleaned from the official air force crash investigation report, and contradicts the vague locations given to the press, which was likely done for security reasons and to prevent souvenir hunters from converging on the site. " [Source: Air Force Crash Investigation Report #51-7-12-1]
Fatality
Clapp, 1Lt. Victor - Born December 29, 1923 in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of Harold Evans Clapp (1890-1948) and Helen Atwood Clapp (1883-1967. His brother was Robert Evans Clapp (1921-1992). He was married to Dorothy Elaine Bond Britt Clapp (later Silva) (1923-2005). He was also survived by two children. He was a veteran of World War II, receiving his pilot's wings March 2, 1944. He had recently been re-activated for active duty due to the Korean War. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, Massachusetts.
Survivor
Jones, 2Lt. Aaron M. Jr. - He was from Newtonville, Massachusetts.
1Lt. Marion Maxwell Jones from Headquarters Squadron, 136th Fighter Bomber Wing was a passenger of a T-7 aircraft (#7/19/1951) ready to take off from Pohang Airfield (K-3), when a F4U-4 Corsair fighter from Fighter Squadron 212 missed its approach and crashed into it. Lieutenant Jones was born March 21, 1921, a son of David Homer Jones (1893-1979) and Bessie Hines Jones (born 1898). He was married to Dora M. Jones (1919-1979). His siblings were Lonzie Leigh Jones (1916-1979) and Winfred Herbert Jones (1926-1996). This World War II/Korean War veteran is buried in Magnolia Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Magtnolia, Kentucky.
The Canadian Pacific Airlines flew more than 700 airlifts for the United States Army during the Korean War. On one of those airlifts, a four-engine DC-4 Canadian Pacific Air Lines aircraft vanished en route from Vancouver to Tokyo on July 21, 1951. Among the lost were two stewardesses from Vancouver, two Canadian sailors from the Royal Canadian Navy, four other Canadian crew members, and 29 US Army/Air Force personnel. Since the outbreak of the Korean War, the Korean airlift had flown 87 million miles. This Canadian Pacific Airliner was the first to meet disaster during the airlift operation, but in the nine previous years some 112 persons and 16 planes had vanished in the Alaskan wilderness and Brabazon mountain range.
When the plane was 90 minutes out from its stopover in Anchorage, Alaska, it was on schedule, but it soon hit bad weather. There was heavy rain, icing conditions and visibility was only 500 feet. The plane reported its position off Cape Spencer, about 80 miles west of Juneau, at 12:17 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The aircraft had a five-hour fuel supply. That report was the last anyone heard from the pilot or crew. For several hours after the plane disappeared, there was a weak radio signal that might or might not have come from the plane. By early Saturday evening the signal had stopped. By the next day, when the plane failed to arrived at its next destination or report in, officials knew the plane was down. There would not have been enough fuel to keep it in the air longer than six hours.
An extensive search involving both U.S. and Canadian aircraft began. Twenty-one planes from the US and Canada, as well as U.S. Coast Guard surface vessels in Alaska searched for the missing plane. Five U.S. B-17s, equipped with lifeboats that could be dropped by parachute, searched a 300-mile area from Cape Spencer west to Middleton Island. According to The Daily Province newspaper in Canada, another group of aircraft searched a 150 mile area south of Yakutat and 40 miles inland, while a third group searched the coast between Cape Spencer and Yakutat. Two Coast Guard cutters patrolled the beaches. The United States Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force continued to carry out an extensive search for three months, but failed to find any trace of the aircraft or its occupants. The search was finally called off on October 31, 1951.
To this day, no trace of the DC-4 has yet to be found. According to the brother of plane passenger Everett Swarms, there were two theories about what might have happened to the plane. Charles Swarms told the KWE, "One theory was that if the plane was on course, as it was the last time that it was heard from, the plane would have been over the water when it disappeared and sank if it went down. Nobody could survive in that frigid water for even an hour. The other possibility is that the plane might have been flying over mountains on the other side of the bay when it disappeared. At the plane's last reading, it was flying at 9,000 feet. But there were mountains on the other side of the bay that were 14,000 feet high. The plane could have crashed into them and been buried in snow. A lot of planes have disappeared in that area."
In late June of 2015, the Korean War Educator received a request for information about this ill-fated flight from Robin Sloan, cousin of passenger Sgt. John W. Russ of Middletown, Pennsylvania. The result is this page of the KWE, opened June 29, 2015. The KWE is seeking information about all of the men and women who were lost on this flight--both American and Canadian. Photographs of these men and women are also welcome. Contact us.
Update #1: Researcher Alan Hyatt found indications of a likely aircraft wreckage on GoogleEarth. He believes the wreckage could be that of this missing aircraft and reported his findings to the KWE in June 2017. He would like any family members of the plane's passengers or crew to get in touch with him.
Update #2: Robin Sloan wrote to the KWE in February 2020: "It has been a while since we have been in contact when I asked you about locating a B.H. Hyatt. Well I wanted to fill you in what has transpired so far. I did find Alan Hiatt (he used his wife's initials) thru James Fox who has a FB page called B-24 Wreck near Grado Italy. Mr. Hyatt than put me in touch with Tonja Anderson-Dell who has written a book called "Gifts from a Glacier- the Quest for an American Flag and 52 Souls" that she wrote regarding the hunt for her Grandfather's military airplane that crashed in Alaska November 22, 1952 heading for Anchorage, Alaska. She has been a great help finding information to fill in the details. We have a FB page called Missing Canadian Pacific Airlines Douglas DC-4 that contains pictures of the site that Alan Hiatt has found of the possible crash site and unclassified info on the crash. We have also found relatives of two of the passengers- Roseann Karmilowicz- 2nd cousin of PFC Ralph Walter Taylor of Ellwood City, Pa (her father was his 1st cousin) and Cheryl Hersey Starr, whose uncle was Vernon E. Hersey (Civilian) from Mitchell SD. One of our followers is a Michael Rocereta who is an aviation archeologist and has an interest in doing a fly over in the future. He has been working with Ms. Anderson-Dell looking for other sites in the same area. And all this started with a simple question to you many years ago. Thank you for your wonderful article and the updates you continue to add to the story. I will keep you updated on any more revelations that may occur."
Update #3: The KWE received a phone call from Lou Sapinenza on May 17, 2021. Affiliated with the Fallen American Veterans Foundation (website: favf.us), Lou updated us on the newest effort to locate the DC-4. He told us that over the years various airplanes have disappeared in Alaska. One was the DC-4 that is the subject of this page. Another missing plane was a twin-engine Cessna 310 that was carrying Democrat members of the US House of Representatives Thomas Hale Boggs Sr. from Louisiana and Nicholas Joseph Begich of Alaska, both en route to a fundraiser for Begich. Also onboard were Begich's aid, Russell Brown, and the pilot, Don Jonz. (Boggs was the father of political journalist Cokie Roberts.) Their plane went missing on October 16, 1972. Neither the plane nor wreckage was located, and neither were the four men in the plane.
Lou told us that in the 1970s an anomalie was accidentally detected in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska. A scan showed an object in the shape of a cross, indicating that it could be the body and wings of an airplane. The shape seemed to be too large for a twin-engine airplane. The Fallen American Veterans Foundation is currently negotiating for a scientific survey ship to study the anomaly. Lou said that the Foundation is hoping for this activity to take place in the summer or fall of 2021. He also told us that if the anomaly is, indeed, an airplane, it is at a depth in which recovery might be possible. Visit the Fallen American Veterans Foundation for more updates.
"Canadian Pacific Railway Company purchased ten bush airlines in a short time span, finishing with the purchase of Canadian Airways in 1942, to form Canadian Pacific Air Lines. Early management were largely bush flying pioneers, including president Grant McConachie, superintendent Punch Dickins, and Wop May, who would become a repair depot manager in Calgary. Canadian Pacific Air Lines operated from 1942 to 1987. It operated under the name CP Air from 1968 to 1986. Based at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia, it served Canadian and international routes until it was purchased and absorbed into Canadian Airlines." - [Source: Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing Press website]
"N88933, Douglas DC-4 (Douglas C-54 Skymaster), Clipper Winged Racer, notes: C/n 10327, originally delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force as a Douglas C-54A-10-DC Skymaster, Serial Number 42-72222, on 15 June 1944. On the same day it was transferred to the U. S. Navy as an R5D-1, Bureau Number 39174. It was then returned to the Douglas Aircraft Company on 28 June 1946, converted to civil DC-4 specifications, and purchased by Pan Am in 29 May 1947. Pan Am sold this DC-5 back to the Douglas Aircraft Company in 1950, who in turn sold it to Canadian Pacific Air Lines, registered CF-CPC. On 21 July 1951, this Skymaster crashed while flying the Sitka to Yakutat section, and was presumably written off." - [Source: Logbook Magazine]
The missing on this DC-4 aircraft included nine Canadian crew members and 29 U.S. passengers, all but three of whom were in the U.S. military. The 29 Americans on board were either returning for duty in Japan or being sent there as replacements. Research indicates that many of the passengers were from the Pennsylvania area and other points east of Pennsylvania. The names of the lost souls on the plane are listed below.
May They Never Be Forgotten
Borge, Pfc. Daniel (Air Force), 20, Providence, RI - He was a radar technician on his way to a new post in Japan with the 1705th Air Transport Wing. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Borge of East Providence, Rhode Island, he was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and came to Providence with his parents when he was six years old. Isadore Borge died in 1982. Daniel attended high school in Litchfield, which is where he joined the Air Force in 1949. His brother Edward Patrick Borge (1933-2011) was a PFC in the Marine Corps at the time of Daniel's plane's disappearance. Edward was a patient in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital recovering from injuries he suffered in an accident at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Daniel Borge left behind not only his parents and brother, but also a fiancee who resided in Litchfield, Connecticut. [KWE Note: This information was provided in newspaper accounts sent to the KWE by the Providence Public Library.]
Clark, S/Sgt. Leroy S. (Air Force) - San Diego, CA - Leroy was born in Kansas in 1914 and was the son of Mrs. Ruby Carter. He was the husband of Jennett Clark. He had two daughters, Joyce and Kay. He had been in the Army for 16 years, having enlisted on September 22, 1945. During World War II he was stationed at Hammer Field. He was a radar instructor. Leroy attended schools in Kansas before joining the military.
Clauson, Glen R. (Civilian) - Seattle, WA - Twenty-eight year old Clauson was born July 25, 1922 in King, Washington, the son of Clarence Clauson (1888-1963) and Selma Ida Lee Clauson (1889-1972). A graduate of Queen Anne and the University of Washington, he served as a naval intelligence officer during the Second World War and was on government business in Japan during the Korean War. A Navy Lieutenant, he was a Japanese interpreter during the war. While studying at the U of Washington he was chosen as a Fulbright scholar. He was a civilian employee of the Air Force. He was married to Mary Carolyn Luther (later Pruefer) in 1943. Carolyn was born in 1923 and died in 2005. They were parents of a daughter Christine. Glen's brother was Richard L. Clauson.
Cobbs, Cpl. James Lynwood (Air Force) - Maidens, VA - James was born on August 24, 1931 in Nelson County, Virginia, a son of Hamilton T. and Dell Turpin Cobbs. He graduated from Goochland County High School in 1948. His sibling (still living in 2022) was Thomas Richard Cobbs.
Dann, S/Sgt. Thomas J. (Air Force) - Beowawe, NV - Thomas Dann was the oldest child of eight children born to Dewey Dann (1898-1969) and Sophia Dick Dann (1898-1971) of Crescent Valley, Nevada. He was born in Beowawe, Nevada on September 19, 1919, and raised on the family farm. As a member of the Shoshone Indian tribe, he attended the Stewart Indian School near Carson City, Nevada. During World War II he enlisted in the military. Following the war he returned to the family ranch. He didn't like ranching, so he re-enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed in Alaska during the Korean War, and was one of the passengers on the Canadian Pacific Airliner that disappeared over Alaska in July of 1951. He was the second person in his family whose life was sacrificed for his country. His cousin, Frank Murphy, was missing in action in an airplane loss in the Pacific during World War II. Thomas had siblings: Mary Dann (1923-2005), Richard D. Dann (1925-2006), infant Dewey Dann (1930-1930), Mrs. Russell (Iris Dann) Steve, Clifford Dann (still living in 2015), Mrs. Harvey (Carrie Dann) Knight (still living in 2015), and Jimmy Dann (deceased). Thomas has numerous Dann kin in Nevada, including his first cousin, Barbara Ridley of Elko, who helped supply information for Thomas' bio on the Korean War Educator. Thomas' sisters, Carrie and Mary Dann, are well-known Shoshone activists in the Western Shoshone Defense Project.
Davis, S/Sgt. Robert B. (Air Force) - Seattle, WA - Born in Washington, he was the husband of Barbara S. Davis.
Dressel, Cpl. Edward Weston (Air Force) - Belpre, OH - Edward was born April 15, 1931, son of Frederick Dressel and Alice Lovell Dressel (1902-1933). There is a memorial marker for Corporal Dressel in Rockland Cemetery, Belpre, Ohio.
Gayle, Capt. John Stuart (Army) - Rehoboth Beach, DE - At the time of the plane's disappearance, Captain Gayle's address was listed as Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. John Stuart Gayle was always known to his family and friends as Jack. Born 7 November 1924 in Denver, Colorado, Jack's father, Lester T. Gayle Jr., was a Virginia Military Institute graduate and had served on active duty in World War I. Jack's parents divorced when he was young, and his mother was remarried to Navy Captain Charles Tozer. Thus, Jack was raised as a Navy “junior." At Coronado High School Jack was a mainstay of the school's athletic programs. He played end on both offense and defense on the 1940 football team, which was unbeaten and allowed only six points all season. He also played basketball, ran track and was sports editor of the school paper. Arriving at Coronado about that time was Mary Lynn Pratt, whose Navy father had wired his family from the Philippines to leave Honolulu immediately and get to CONUS. Thus Mary Lynn met Jack Gayle, a relationship that was to lead to marriage.
A friend and fellow Navy “junior," Jack Shultz, remembered that Jack Gayle had an air of sophistication and class that fit well with Cole Porter lyrics. He had a way with words and listened for well-turned phrases that he could put to good use. He began to write in high school, and Downbeat magazine published his letter declaring Artie Shaw a better clarinetist than Benny Goodman. With the war underway, Jack decided to leave high school after his junior year and prep for the Naval Academy. Upon learning that he could not pass the eye examination for the Navy, Jack joined his friend Jack Shultz at the Sullivan School and prepared for the USMA exams. Jack entered West Point on 1 July 1943 with the Class of 1946.
Cadet life was just one of those things that Jack had to conquer before he could get on to being an Army officer. His Howitzer write-up says, in part, “This easy-going Californian fell naturally in step with the flanker tradition, but he always remained a step ahead of the Academic and Tactical Departments. His love for athletics is matched only by his fondness for sleep and sunshine." As one of his flanker classmates recalled, that statement in the Howitzer sums up Jack's cadet life—except for his devotion to Mary Lynn. Graduation saw Jack become a second lieutenant of Infantry.
Four days after graduation, Jack and Mary Lynn were married in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on 8 June 1946. The newlyweds went to Fort Benning, Georgia where Jack attended the Infantry Officers Basic Course. Joe Finley recalled that Jack played on the officers' basketball team sponsored by the Goo Goo Restaurant. The two Jacks shared many rides to training areas, bumming cigarettes from each other and talking about Coronado. The packs of cigarettes would be so mashed that a cigarette would have to be pulled from the ends before it could be lit. Jack Gayle called those rumpled cigarettes “INFANTRY cigarettes," a term that Jack Schultz used many times in the ensuing 43 years. At Fort Benning Jack Gayle began turning serious about a career. His range of interests was broad, and he discussed current events with a global geo-political perspective. In the spring of 1947, the two Jacks split up, with Jack Shultz going to Germany and Jack Gayle to Korea. Neither knew at the time that they would not meet again.
Jack Gayle was assigned as a company commander, K Company, 17th Infantry when he arrived in Korea. Later he commanded C Company and then became assistant G-2 of the 7th Infantry Division. While in Korea, Jack played on the All-Korea All-Star football team in the Rice Bowl in Japan on 1 January 1948. In December 1948, when the 7th Division moved to Japan, Jack became a platoon leader, first in A Company and then in C Company, 32nd Infantry at Camp Haugen, Japan. In March 1949 Jack received a letter of commendation for his efforts in preparing a pictorial history of the Seventh Infantry Division. Mary Lynn was able to join Jack in Japan, but after just a few months she became ill and the Gayles had to leave for CONUS. The Gayles were en route to CONUS when Jack received a cable ordering him to Fort Leavenworth to become aide-de-camp to then-Major General M. S. Eddy, the Commandant.
The Gayles' first child, Ann Lynn, was born 7 January 1950 at Fort Leavenworth. When General Eddy was promoted to lieutenant general and left for Europe, he wrote Jack a letter of commendation. “During your service with me I have been impressed with your intelligence, loyalty, earnestness, integrity and capacity to learn. In your brief career as an officer you have already demonstrated a firm grasp of your profession and an ability to assume responsibilities well beyond your present rank.. . . ” The summer of 1950, Jack and Mary Lynn moved back to Fort Benning, Georgia where Jack became aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Harlan N. Hartness, Commanding General, Fourth Infantry Division. It was while he was at Fort Benning that an article Jack had written, “Korea—Honor Without War,” was published in the January 1951 issue of Military Review.
In the spring of 1951, Jack was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Psychological Warfare, Department of the Army in Washington. He received orders for a classified mission and Mary Lynn, pregnant with their second child, moved in with her parents. Jack departed Washington in July 1951 en route to Seattle to visit his sister Ann before continuing on his mission. After the visit, Ann put Jack on a train to an unknown destination in Canada where Jack was to board a Canadian Pacific Airlines plane. Speculation was that Jack was en route to Korea, but this has never been determined. On 22 July 1951, Mary Lynn received a telegram from the Department of the Army informing her that Jack was missing. The plane, a DC-4, was last heard from on distress radio somewhere west of Juneau, Alaska on 21 July 1951. On 28 December 1951, Mary Lynn received a report of death from the Army stating only that Jack was a passenger on an aircraft that crashed somewhere between Cape Spencer and Yakutat, Alaska. Jack was survived by his wife Mary Lynn, two daughters, Ann Lynn and Catherine (born 27 November 1951), his parents, sister Ann and brother Richard.
On that fateful day in July 1951, a bright, rising star fell from the sky. It is still hard to believe that he is gone. He loved his wife and sweetheart Mary Lynn and adored his baby daughter Ann. He couldn't wait to do his duty and get back to meet his daughter-on-the-way Catherine. Unfortunately, fate stepped in, and none of this was to be. Instead, those left behind can only remember what a privilege it was to have been associated with Jack Gayle. He is remembered fondly as a terrific guy, well-liked by all who knew him. He was a West Pointer through and through. He never talked about “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY''—he just lived the motto every day of his life. It is with pride that the Class of 1946 salutes him with, “Well Done, Jack. Be Thou At Peace!”
[KWE Note: Source - West Point Association of Graduates. Captain Gayle's daughter Ann Lynn (Mrs. Michael Rose) of Locust Grove, Virginia, died February 03, 2014 of lung cancer. His daughter Catherine married a Simard and was living in North Carolina at the time of her sister's death.]
Gilinger, M/Sgt. James C. (Air Force) - McChord AFB, WA - The son of Benjamin Gilinger (1897-1924) and Ruby Haven Gilinger (later Mrs. Joseph R. Murphy), he was born August 12, 1916 in Spring Mill, Pennsylvania. He was serving in the Army and was based in Oahu at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In October of 1947 he married Hawaiian-born Marie Brittain. She was an air raid warden in Conshohocken before joining the WACs. James and Marie were parents of three children, with the youngest being just one year old at the time of the plane's disappearance. The youngsters were Jamia, 7 years old, Olivia, 4 years old, and James Jr.
Glasser, Capt. Martin M. (Air Force) - San Francisco, CA - Born August 19, 1919 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, a son of Mrs. Emma Glasser. During World War II he was a bomber navigator in England, where he received a Distinguished Flying Cross. His brother was Samuel Glasser.
Hersey, Vernon E. (Civilian) - Mitchell, SD - Born April 11, 1921 in Mitchell, South Dakota, Bud was a son of Harry Bartell Hersey (1886-1959) and Maude Helen Doane Hersey (1897-1970). He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1939 and then went to Washington, D.C., where he was employed by the U.S. Navy and Agricultural departments. He accepted employment with the U.S. Air Force in Nagoya, Japan in 1946. In 1947 he transferred to the U.S. Eighth Army and stayed in Japan until being transferred to Korea in July of 1950 after the outbreak of war. He was then with the Japanese tactical command. He was the husband of Ernestine Clark Hersey (1917-2006) and the father of three daughters, including Ramona and Helen. His siblings included Eileen Mona Hersey Beard (1919-1995), Mary Kathleen Hersey Lewis (1929-1978), Helen Hersey Gisselbeck, Elizabeth Hersey Wieczorek, Harry Bartell Hersey (1918-2009), and Clifford Freeman Hersey (1927-2013). His brother and sister-in-law were Maurice and Miriam Medley from the Logansport, Indiana area.
Hite, Lt. Col. Eugene Goliday (Army) - Rising Sun, MD - According to a marker in the West Nottingham Cemetery, West Nottingham, Maryland, Eugene Hite was born May 28, 1907 in Virginia, and was serving in the Army at the time his plane went missing. His address at the time was Rising Sun, Maryland. Further information about Eugene Hite was found in an article written by Eric Mease in the Cecil Whig online. Mease's research indicates that Hite was born in Staunton, Virginia. He attended Tome School in Port Deposit before entering Virginia Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 1932. He then was associated with the Federal government's soil conservation program. He served with the 2nd Armored Division in Europe during World War II, returning home as a major. He entered civilian life for a time, but re-entered the military and was a reserve officer. For a time he was an instructor at Fort Knox, but he was associated with the VA Hospital at Perry Point before being ordered to Tokyo as a reserve officer. His wife, the former Lucille Pointer of South Hill, Virginia, received the news of the plane's disappearance while still on the West Coast after seeing her husband off on the ill-fated DC-4. Eugene Hite was the son of Tolerous N. Hite (1876-1930) and Myrtle V. Arehart Hite (1880-1964) of Rising Sun, and the brother of Norborne Hite, Mrs. Lelia Hite Frazer, and Miss Iva Hite.
Hubbard, Pfc. Gordon M. (Air Force) - Ninevah, NY - Born in 1933, a son of Oscar L. Hubbard (1905-1966) and Jessie Mae Butler Hubbard (1908-1963), he was from the Broome County, New York (Center Village) area. He was raised by his grandmother, Ruby Hubbard. His brothers were David B. Hubbard (1931-1992) and Harry Hubbard. After joining the Air Force Gordon was trained at San Antonio, Texas; Kester Field in Biloxi, Mississippi; and then McCord Air Force Base in Washington. He volunteered for duty at the 1705th Air Wing Transport Wing in Japan and was en route there when the plane disappeared. There is a marker for him in Perch Pond Cemetery.
Jackson, 1Lt. James A. (Air Force) - Kenmore, NY - Born September 11, 1924 in Corry, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the military on April 6, 1943 and was a World War II veteran.
Kellar, M/Sgt. Daryl Homer (Air Force) - Tacoma, WA - Born on August 18, 1913 in Kasson, Minnesota, Sergeant Kellar was a son of Homer Willis Kellar (1882-1955) and Blanche Ann Barber Kellar (1886-1959). He was survived by his wife Clare J. Kellar (1918-2005), a sergeant in the US Army during World War II. Also surviving were his three children ages four years to newborn: Karen, Dana and Mark. His siblings were Raymond Elmo Kellar (1909-1994), Kenneth M. Kellar (1912-2012), Ruth Ona Kellar Nelson (1917-2009), Mary LaRayne Kellar Andrist (1922-2015), Arland Dee Kellar (1927-2010), Armond Lee Kellar (1927-1997), and Helen Kellar Michalski. In February 1952 at a ceremony attended by his family at McChord Air Base, Washington, the Bronze Star Medal was awarded posthumously to his five year old daughter, in recognition of MSGT Kellar's outstanding effort as Line Chief of the Fourth Troop Carrier Squadron while the unit was supplying front line troops in Korea in the winter and spring of 1951. Sergeant Kellar was a participant in the Berlin Airlift.
Kendall, Capt. Wayne E. (Air Force) - Parkland, WA - Wayne was born on December 7, 1920 in Nebraska, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Kendall. After studying at Centralia College, he enlisted in the Air Force. He flew 52 combat missions in the European Theater during World War II, receiving 22 citations for bravery, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was divorced from the former Shirley A. Larson. They had a daughter Marcia Ann, a fifth grader at the time of her father's disappearance. His sister was Mrs. Dave Copley of Centralia, Nebraska.
Livingston, Lt. Edward Blair (Air Force) - Dallas, TX - Canadian - Vancouver, BC - Ernest Krausher was born on November 12, 1924 in Dallas, Texas, the son of Jacob Krausher (1897-1968) and Theresa Rose Bender Krausher (1902-1980) of Saskatchewan. A former fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force, he had been with the Canadian Pacific Airlines since February of 1951. He was married in England and he and his wife Bettye had children Eldon (two years old) and Sherron (four years old). During World War II he served in Holland, the Middle East, and the Battle of Britain. He was employed by the government phone service in Regina before accepting the job at CPA. There is a marker in his honor in the Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park, Dallas.
Ollis, Pfc, Roy J. (Air Force) - Holladay, UT - Keith Ollis was born in August of 1929 in Salt Lake City, a son of Roy George and Belle May Reed Ollis of Holladay, Utah. His brother was Ronald Ollis of Holliday and his half-brother was Eugene Hoagland of Albany, California. His father was an outside plant engineer with Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company and his mother worked at the J.G. McDonald Chocolate Company. Keith received his elementary and secondary education in the Granite District schools in Holladay. He attended East High School and college at the University of Utah. He was a member of the university band. He joined the Air Force while attending the university on April 1, 1950. Keith married Peggy Sue Gantner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Gantner, while on furlough on July 09, 1951 in Salt Lake City, just days before his plane disappeared. His widow later remarried twice and had children. When his family received a government notice that Keith had been officially declared dead, a memorial service was held in the Holladay Fourth Ward Chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [KWE Note: This information was supplied by Salt Lake City Public Library researchers.]
Oscar, M/Sgt. Elliott T. (Air Force) - McChord AFB, WA - Elliott was the husband of Jessie Allene Fore Oscar Criswell (1918-2004). He was born May 26, 1914 in Shipman, Macoupin County, Illinois, the son of Charles R. Oscar (1893-1970) and Edna Elliott Oscar (1894-1978). Edna later married Ray Sudder and lived in Covington, Kentucky. Elliott married Jessie Allene Fore in 1941 and they were parents of one son and three daughters. Allene was born in 1918 and died in 2004 with the last name Criswell. He had served four years in the Navy and 14 years in the Air Force. He served in the Pacific and European Theaters in World War II.
Russ, Sgt. John W. (Air Force) - Middletown, PA - Sergeant Russ was from Middletown, Pennsylvania. He was born in December of 1929, the son of John W. Russ Sr. (1907-1995) and Katherine McGill Russ (1908-1983), who are buried in the Middletown Cemetery. John was the brother of Doris Russ Whitlow (now deceased) and Kathy M. Russ Corradi.
Sacks, Lt. Col. Jerome G. (Army) - Washington, D.C. - Lt. Colonel Sacks was born July 14, 1915 in Baltimore, Maryland, a son of Chaim Isidor and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Sacks. He was the brother of Dr. Sy Sacks (1918-1999). His wife was Sylvia Sacks. In 1937 Sacks was a parole intern, District of Columbia Penal Institutions, Lorton, Virginia, and a candidate for a PhD in Social Science at Catholic University of America. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and a resident of Washington, D.C. at the time of the plane's disappearance. He was serving in the Army Medical Corps.
Somerville, S/Sgt. John T. (Air Force) - Santa Monica, CA - John was born in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Somerville. While a student at Harvard Military School, he joined the Air Force at age 16. He had been in the Air Force for six years when the plane disappeared. He was preceded in death by his father and his only sister, Mrs. Muriel Des Roches.
Stephan, Audley Hobson F. (Civilian) - Trenton, NJ - Audley Stephan was born October 14, 1899 in Trenton, New Jersey, a son of Thomas W. Stephan (1860-1922) and Anita Sarah Steventon Stephan (1862-1941) Audley was the father of John Thomas Stephan (1925-1986) and a daughter Mary Ann, and the brother of siblings Alice G., Thomas Richard, Henry Lloyd, Peter Steventon, Ellis Wreson, and Edwin Harvey Stephan. A graduate of Trenton High School, he graduated from Princeton in 1922 and received a PhD at Pennsylvania. He began his business career working for General Electric, and was later a municipal auditor in Jew Jersey and state budget director. He was called into the Army in 1942 as a military finance advisor, serving in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He returned to civilian life in 1946 as finance professor at Rutgers University. He was later chairman of the Finance Department of University College. He was recalled to duty in the Army 1949 to help reorganize the Japanese fiscal system. Audley Stephan helped balance Japan's postwar budget and was an ace U.S. economic troubleshooter. He was survived by his wife, Margaret Moore Stephan.
Stephens, Sgt. William E. (Air Force) - Novato, CA - Born April 29, 1914 in Kelso, Washington, he was a son of William Riley Stephens (1885-1976) and Grace L. Stephens (1890-1916). His siblings were Dorothy Alice Stephens Swan Frisbie Hopper (1908-2002), Ruth Stephens (1911-1916), Jane Elizabeth Stephens (1928-1969), James Robert Stephens (1912-1988), and Wilton Stephens (1914-?).
Swarms, S.Sgt. Everett Wayne (Air Force) - St. James, IL - According to a marker in the Stein Cemetery, Loogootee, Illinois, Everett Swarms was born June 6, 1930, son of Maroy and Lula Brown Swarms. His siblings were Mrs. Anthony (Rosemary Swarms) White (1935-2011), US Air Force veteran Troy Orville Swarms (1928-1992), and Navy veteran Charles Swarms. Everett grew up in the St. James, Illinois area and graduated from St. Elmo Community High School. He joined the Air Force immediately after graduation. According to Everett's brother Charles, "I believe to our mother's dying day that she thought he was alive someplace, even though we went through the military ceremony and there is a marker for him in the cemetery. She never believed that he died on that plane. Last year my wife Linda and I went on a seven-day cruise to Alaska. I guess this might sound silly, but I spent the whole time there looking for my brother."
Swicarz, T/Sgt. Joseph J. (Air Force) - South Tacoma, WA - A World War II veteran of the army, he reenlisted in 1946. Joseph was born on April 7, 1918 in Franklin, New Jersey, the son of Paul Swicarz. He married Mary Ann Matala (Army Nurse Corps in World War II and Korea), and they were parents of two children. Lt. Col. Mary Ann Swicarz was born in 1919 and died in 1987. His sister was Mrs. Thomas Doland.
Taylor, Pfc. Ralph Walter (Air Force) - Ellwood City, PA - Born on February 26, 1932 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Pfc. Taylor was a son of Pearl Walter Taylor (1899-1974) and Anna Ruth Zurinski Taylor (1908-1997). His parents are buried in Locust Grove Cemetery, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. He attended Lincoln High School in Ellwood City prior to enlisting in the Air Corps on his 18th birthday February 26, 1950. Pfc. Taylor had a brother, David Paul Taylor (1938-1944) and sister, Doris Ann Taylor Schall (1934-1977). Pfc. Taylor was a member of the 14th Troop Carrier Squadron at the time of his plane's disappearance.
Thomas, Capt. Carson O. "Cot" (Air Force) - Olympia, WA - Captain Thomas was born on April 30, 1922 in Tacoma, Washington, a son of Oscar N. Thomas (1895-1986) and Burie S. Thomas (1900-1980). His siblings were Preston O. Thomas (older brother), Norman O. Thomas and Thad O. Thomas. Carson graduated from Olympia High School and attended Washington State College. In World War II, he served as a bomber pilot in the China-India Theater. During that service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, both with additional clusters. Following the war, he was employed by the state highway department as a radio technician. He was married to Ardath Henrietta Christensen (1924-2005) on June 29, 1947 in Thurston County, Washington.
At the time of loss, Thomas was serving in the Air Force having been called up from the Reserves on July 20, 1950. Assignments following his return to service included piloting aircraft participating in the Korean airlift flying between McChord Air Force Base and Japan, and flying wounded from Korea to Japan. He was flying as a passenger on July 21, 1951 when the plane disappeared over the Alaskan panhandle. He was survived by his wife and two young daughters. [KWE Note: This information was supplied by the Timberland Regional Public Library in Olympia, Washington.]
Wenrich, S/Sgt. Homer E. Jr. (Air Force) - Sunbury, Pennsylvania - Sergeant Wenrich was born November 23, 1925 in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, a son of Homer E. Wenrich Sr. and Emily Sotzin Wenrich of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. His siblings were Kenneth R., David, Robert, Philip C. (1938-2022), Randolph Sotzin (Randy) Wenrich, and Barbara Wenrich. Sergeant Wenrich was serving in the Air Force at the time his plane went missing. He enlisted in the Air Force on January 17, 1944.
Boon, Arthur Stanley - flight engineer and resident of Vancouver, BC, Canada. He was born in Edmonton, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Earl Boon, on June 26, 1909. He was educated at King Edward Strathcona High School and Technical Schools in Edmonton and then joined the airline. He had been with MacKenzie Air Services and Canadian Pacific Airlines for 14 years. His sisters were Mrs. Alvin Hendel, Mrs. J. Bowen, and Mrs. D.S. Carthur.
Fox, Capt. Victor - pilot and resident of West Vancouver, BC, Canada - The Canadian pilot of this ill-fated plane was a veteran pilot with 10,000 flying hours and almost 2,000,000 miles on Canadian Pacific Airlines operations to his credit. He had been with the company since it was organized in 1942. Formerly from Ottawa, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on May 19, 1924 but was discharged later that year to accept a position with a commercial airline. An experienced mountain and Yukon pilot, he was married and had a son. Victor Fox was born in Kent, England, in 1907. His mother was Agnes Fox (1885-1971).
Krausher, Ernest Louis -20-year old Canadian seaman (HMCS Sioux) and second officer from Winnipeg Vancouver, BC. Ernest Krausher was born in 1921, the son of Jacob Krausher (1897-1968) and Theresa Rose Bender Krausher (1902-1980) of Saskatchewan. A former fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force, he had been with the Canadian Pacific Airlines since February of 1951. He was married in England and had children Eldon (two years old) and Sherron (four years old). During World War II he served in Holland, the Middle East, and the Battle of Britain. He was employed by the government phone service in Regina before accepting the job at CPA.
Laker, AB Frank R. - Canadian - Vancouver, BC. Laker was born May 31, 1931 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He was an Able Seaman in the Royal Canadian Navy, having enlisted on November 4, 1948 at Winnipeg. His parents were Richard Shipway and Lena Perkin of Winnipeg. His wife was Eleanor Joan Billedeau Laker of Nanaimo, British Columbia. His full-siblings were Arthur Laker and Mrs. Russel Lawson. His half-siblings were Herbert Wilfred Perkin and Doris Perkin.
Lee, Eva Marie - Canadian stewardess and resident of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Canadian stewardess - Vancouver, BC. Eva was born in Victoria. She was educated in Shanghai and as a result she spoke fluent English and Chinese. She started working at Canadian Pacific Airlines on May 8, 1950. Her sister was Miss Francis Lee. also a stewardess, and Lucy Lee, a nurse.
Moore, AB Robert John - 22-year old Canadian seaman (HMCS Sioux) whose resident was Westphal, Nova Scotia. Canadian - Robert John Moore was born December 27, 1929 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, a son of Herbert John and Mary Elizabeth Moore of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the brother of William Henry Moore, Victor Alexander Moore, and Mildred Constance Moore. He enlisted in the Canadian Navy on March 8, 1949 in Penfield Ridge, New Brunswick, Canada. His first ship was the Magnificent and then he went to Stadacona for a course in the Communications School.
Moran, Kathleen Mary "Kitty" - Canadian stewardess and resident of Burnaby, BC, Canada. Kathleen was the daughter of John and Kate Carney Moran, who were originally from Ireland but were living in Burnaby, B.C., Canada at the time of their daughter's disappearance. Kathleen's father was on the staff of Paramount Driven-in Theatre in Burnaby in 1951. Kathleen attended Seaforth Public School at Lozella, Canada, Sperling Avenue School in Burnaby, and Burnaby South High School. She attended two years of college at British Columbia University, and then took a nursing course at St. Paul's before beginning her flying career as a stewardess for Canadian Pacific Airlines. She was preceded in death by one sibling, and was survived by two brothers, John M. "Jack" Moran and Frank P. Moran. The chief stewardess on the fated flight, she was to have married Montreal doctor Gill Marion in September.
Thomson, Bruce St. John Campbell - first officer and resident of North Vancouver, BC, Canada - Canadian - Vancouver, BC. A war veteran of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, his parents lived in Auckland. Bruce came to Canada two years before the plane disappearance. The son of James Edward Thomson (1874-1976) and Eileen Maitland Branigan Thomson (1891-1982), Bruce was unmarried.
Tupper, Freeman Rudolph (Canadian) - Vancouver, BC - He was the radio operator on the lost aircraft. He was married with children Freeman Charles (age 12), Carolyn, Patrick and Cathy Tupper.
[KWE Note: Many newspaper articles are copyrighted. Below, the KWE has listed sources available so readers can search out the actual texts of the articles by their own outreach efforts.]
Billings Gazette Montana 1951-07-22 - "Korean Airlift Plane with 38 Aboard Is Lost. Bad Weather Said Possible Cause of Disappearance." Vancouver, B. C., July 21. -- (AP) -- "A four-engined DC-4 winging 38 persons to Tokyo on the Korean airlift was swallowed Saturday during "foul" weather along the wild Alaska panhandle coast on an outbound flight from Vancouver, B. C. Most of the 31 passengers were American military men. The crew of seven included two stewardesses. The big Canadian Pacific airlines' plane was the first to meet disaster in the airlift's 87 million miles of flying since the outbreak of the Korean War....."
Billings Gazelle Montana 1951-07-24 - "Search for Lost Plane Continues" - Yakutat, Alaska, July 23 -- (U.P.) -- "Search planes scanned the mountainous, glacier-covered southeastern Alaska coast Monday for traces of a Korean airlift DC-4, missing since Saturday with 38 persons aboard. No sign of the Tokyo-bound Canadian Pacific Airlines plane was reported as 21 planes from a coast guard airstrip at Yakutat dipped into glaciated ravines and topped jagged peaks of the Fairweather range in "the land of lost airplanes."......"
Canadian Shirlee Smith Matheson, author of several aviation books, has written a book entitled, Amazing Flights and Flyers. In it, a story in one chapter is devoted to the disappearance of Canadian Pacific Airlines Douglas CF-CPC 10367. The chapter is called, "The Unfair Weather of Mount Fairweather".
Matheson's book is available through Amazon.com. The book cover features artist Dan Ryan's painting of the Douglas C-4 lost near Sitka, Alaska. The original hangs in the south terminal of the Vancouver International Airport and is the artist's rendition of how the airlines, with its crew and passengers, might have looked when it was about to disappear forever in the vicinity of Mount Fairweather on July 21, 1951. The KWE has not yet reviewed the book and is therefore not endorsing it, but Amazon's promotional blurb on the book states:
Audacity and the Occasional Bad Luck and Hijinks - Some accomplishments seem to be beyond human endurance, such as the two mid-winter medical evacuation flights pioneered by the intrepid crew of Kenn Borek Air; the continuing efforts by volunteers from CASARA to search for lost people and planes; the determination of aviation pioneers who fight to fly the volatile conditions experienced in our Maritime provinces; the amazing lifestyles of those who choose to live in the Far North and never want to leave. On the other side of the flying field are those who used flight as an opportunity for personal escapes or hijacking capers, or whose fates were suddenly decided by bad luck engine failure, sudden weather changes, or chances taken with unfamiliar machines and terrain. A high-risk wartime story chronicles the attempt of enemy forces to dock their U-boat on Canadian soil to install a weather reporting station. All are remarkable stories, and most are little known. Flight can be a combination of thrills beyond compare and sudden full stops. The stories in Amazing Flights and Flyers encapsulate nearly every human emotion and scenario, and range from the early days of the 20th century to the present.
Paperback: 286 pages
Publisher: Frontenac House Ltd.; first edition (February 28, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1897181299
ISBN-13: 978-1897181294
T/Capt F. M. Bekker, together with Lt. Roelof Michiel du Plooy, and 2Lts M. I. B. Halley and D. A. R. Green, was tasked to conduct a weather reconnaissance of the West Coast of North Korea. They proceeded up the Han Gang River at about 1500 feet, turning east when they reached the river mouth. In deteriorating weather they successfully attacked a bridge across the Imjin-Gan River, completely destroying it. In the course of their attack, they glided down from 1800 feet to 50 feet, and while passing over a hill at low altitude, T/Capt Bekker's aircraft was hit by ground fire. It immediately burst into flames and began to break up, and although he was able to jettison his canopy, he failed to bale out before the aircraft crashed and was destroyed. 2Lt Halley went down to investigate the crash site, and was in turn shot down. He managed to climb to a safe altitude and bale out, and on landing he waved to his two remaining comrades. One of these, Lieutenant du Plooy, remained low to cover 2Lieutenant Halley and keep enemy troops away from him, while 2Lieutenant Green climbed for altitude and called for a rescue helicopter to pick up the stranded pilot. This arrived too late however, and despite Lieutenant du Plooy's best attempts to keep the enemy troops at bay, he had to report that he had seen them capture 2Lieutenant Halley. Shortly after this, he reported that he too had been hit, and although the wreckage of his aircraft was found, he was never heard of again. For his gallantry in sacrificing himself while attempting to save a fellow pilot, Lieutenant R.M. du Plooy was posthumously awarded the United States Silver Star, the highest decoration available to a member of a foreign ally operating under American control. 2Lieutenant Halley spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of the North Koreans, suffering such privations that following his repatriation, he died in a Durban hospital on 15 August 1954, aged only 24. Only 2 Lieutenant Green returned to base safely. This proved to be the worst casualties suffered in a single mission by 2 Squadron throughout the Korean War. Lieutenant duPlooy was born June 30, 1922. Flying Cheetah duPlooy was the husband of Bridget Dorothy Patricia Waddington (O'Neill).
[Source of the following: South African War Graves Project] Capt. Frederick Marthinus Bekker, together with Lt R. M. du Plooy, and 2Lts M. I. B. Halley and D. A. R. Green, was tasked to conduct a weather reconnaissance of the West Coast of North Korea. They proceeded up the Han Gang River at about 1500 feet, turning east when they reached the river mouth. In deteriorating weather they successfully attacked a bridge across the Imjin-Gan River, completely destroying it. In the course of their attack, they glided down from 1800 feet to 50 feet, and while passing over a hill at low altitude, T/Capt Bekker's aircraft was hit by ground fire. It immediately burst into flames and began to break up, and although he was able to jettison his canopy, he failed to bale out before the aircraft crashed and was destroyed. 2Lt Halley went down to investigate the crash site, and was in turn shot down. He managed to climb to a safe altitude and bale out, and on landing he waved to his two remaining comrades. One of these, Lt du Plooy, remained low to cover 2Lt Halley and keep enemy troops away from him, while 2Lt Green climbed for altitude and called for a rescue helicopter to pick up the stranded pilot. This arrived too late however, and despite Lt du Plooy's best attempts to keep the enemy troops at bay, he had to report that he had seen them capture 2Lt Halley. Shortly after this, he reported that he too had been hit, and although the wreckage of his aircraft was found, he was never heard of again. For his gallantry in sacrificing himself while attempting to save a fellow pilot, Lt R.M. du Plooy was posthumously awarded the United States Silver Star, the highest decoration available to a member of a foreign ally operating under American control. 2Lt Halley spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of the North Koreans, suffering such privations that following his repatriation, he died in a Durban hospital on 15 August 1954, aged only 24. Only 2Lt Green returned to base safely. This proved to be the worst casualties suffered in a single mission by 2 Squadron throughout the Korean War. Captain Bekker was born December 13, 1922, the son of Hendrik Josephus Bekker and Barbara Bekker. He was married to Winifred Joan Van Zyl Bekker. He was a member of the Flying Cheetahs.
Within three minutes after takeoff from Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, this US Navy Privateer patrol bomber PB4Y-2 crashed on the small mountain island of Atada-shima in the Inland Sea on July 27, 1951. The entire crew (Flight Crew 7, Patrol Bomber Squadron 772, based at Atsugi, Japan). was killed when the bomber exploded due to the full load of fuel and armed mines in the aircraft.
Fatalities
Cook, ADF1 Edward Buford - Born March 25, 1917 in San Bernardino County, California, he was a son of Robert "Roy" Cook (1882-1918) and Caddie Barker Cook (1883-1966). His wife was Winona Cook. He was the brother of Roy Barker Cook (19012-1984). Edward is buried in Hillside Memorial Park, Redlands, California.
Gariel, ADE1 Robert - Born on May 27, 1923 in San Antonio, Texas, Robert was a son of Edward F. Gariel (1891-1980) and Antonia Guzman Gariel (1898-1991). His brother was Edward Antonio Gariel (1920-1949). Robert is buried in Iwakuni-Shi, Yamaguchi, Japan.
Marovish, Lt. James Herbert - Born April 15, 1916, James was the husband of Jane Vickers Marovish (1920-1997) and the son of Herbert and Narcis Marovish. James and Jane are buried in San Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, California.
McCord, Lt. Walder L. - Born August 14, 1920, Lieutenant McCord was the son of Walder L. McCord (1895-1986) and Ruth E. McCord (1898-1966). Walder Jr. is buried in Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside, California.
Overton, Aviation Electronics Man Airman Robert Edward (2nd Radar) - Born January 08, 1927 in California, Robert was the son of Fred Stryker Overton (1892-1966) and Mildred Shenneman Overton (1893-1977). He is buried in San Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, California.
Pridgen, Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Utility Coley Grey - Born April 5, 1925 in Wilmington, North Carolina, son of Cole Gray Pridgen (1902-1934) and Florence Mae Allender Loftin Gray (1908-1986). He is buried in Wilmington National Cemetery, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Ricotta, Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Thomas - Born January 27, 1927 in Buffalo, New York, Thomas was the son of John Ricotta (1888-1962) and Antonia Ricotta (1893-1984). He is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cheektowaga, New York.
Spund, Lt. Allen (co-pilot) - Allen was born in 1917 and is buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Flushing, New York. He was the son of Rev. Gershon Spund, New York, New York.
Still, Petty Officer 1st Class William Raymond - Born September 23, 1922 in Beaumont, Texas, he was the son of William Ray Still (1888-1936) and Daisy May Swilley Still (1898-1989). William's widow was Doris Mae Still (1925-1995). He is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California.
Aircraft was scheduled for a Tactical Reconnaissance flight on morning of the 27th out of RAAF Base at Iwakuni. Pilot filed an IFR tactical flight clearance in accordance with local AACS regulations. Two days prior to this date, subject aircraft had flown a tactical mission of nine hours duration on which no trouble of mechanical nature was encountered. Plane Captain's report to maintenance Chief after landing, was that aircraft was in a "up" status. In later afternoon of the 26th aircraft was turned up, checked out and reported to be operationally ready. Weather cover was VFR. Pilot taxied to take-off area at 0324 local time.
Board assumes he checked aircraft in accordance with PB4Y-2 pre-take-off procedures. ATC cleared pilot to climb out VFR to 6000-ft, to maintain 6000-ft, proceed via airway Green to Fukuoka Control when airborne. Aircraft was airborne at 0344k. Pilot contacted tower for permission to leave tower frequency approx 3 minutes following take-off. This is as reported by tower operator. At a time later established to be approximately 0347K; a fire and explosion was seen on Atada Shima.
This island bears 035 degrees 5miles from tower. Air Sea Rescue, Hospital, and Base Operations were notified at once. Air-Sea Rescue personnel were at scene of disaster at 0455K. They reported no survivors. Aircraft struck NW corner of Island at an altitude of approx 175 feet. Its course was determines to be 230seg. From reconstruction of estimated flight path, pilot must have been in a right hard turn in an attempt to miss higher peaks of island to his left, his right wing struck the ground first. Plane cart-wheeled and exploded.
Wreckage and personnel were strewn forward for a distance of approx 200 yards. This area included point of impact up to ridge over and down the other side. Fire and explosion was so great that it was impossible to reconstruct or determine mechanical failure or cause of accident. Main aircraft parts identifiable were wing, panel and engines. No part of fuselage could be found. Explosion of two depth charges are thought to have cause complete disintegration.
In as much as there are no survivors and no positive reports of material failure. Factor causing accident con only be left to conjecture. It is known that PPC was a cautious, sober, experienced and competent pilot. Why he was at extremely low altitude three minutes following take-off is unknown. His request to be cleared from tower frequency indicated he believed operations were normal. Under existing similar weather conditions and always under IFC conditions most pilots make a take-off to the south. This is the outstanding criticism Board has of pilot procedure. Board feels certain that mechanical difficulties were encountered, but has no proof of same.
Board is of opinion that primary cause of accident is unknown. This conclusion is based upon lack of evidence to prove positive material failure, mechanical failure or pilot failure. Board recommends that obstacle lights be placed upon Atada Shima. There are no lights of any kind to be seen at night.
1Lt. Grant Dwayne Harkness was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-84939) with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On 5 August 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft suffered a mid-air collision losing the tail assembly and crashing. Lieutenant Harkness was born March 14, 1925 in Magna, Utah, a son of William Thomas Harkness (1886-1931) and Silvea Annie Malstrom Harkness (1885-1966). He was married to Hazel Helen Stahl (1925-1993) on February 09, 1945 in Wickenburg, Arizona, and they had sons Richard Dwayne (5 years) and Dennis Lee (3). His siblings were Grace Harkness Latham (1909–1998), Wallace Daniel Harkness (1911–1988), Harold Thomas Harkness (1914–1999), Lillian Harkness Rich (1916–1990), William John Harkness (1920–2000), Roland Milton Harkness (1922–2006), and Russell Wayne Harkness (1928–2004). A member of the Utah National Guard, Lieutenant Harkness attended schools in Magna, as well as the University of Utah and Utah State Agricultural School. He was a World War II veteran who is now buried in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Millcreek, Utah.
"A P4Y-2 type aircraft assigned to VP-9 departed NAS Kodiak at 0735 local time on August 12, 1951 for routine operational patrol to Adak, Aleutian Islands. Weather conditions at the time of take-off from NAS Kodiak, Alaska were indefinite 300-foot ceiling, one mile visibility, with light drizzle and fog. The flight proceeded without incident for the first two hours during which time routine position reports were received. At the end of the third hour no position report was received by NAS Kodiak, Alaska or NAS Adak, Alaska. Search and Rescue was alerted and intensive search of the Aleutian area was conducted. Wreckage was found August 15, 1951 at 900-foot level on Amak Island, which is located approximately twenty miles northwest, of Cold Bay, Alaska peninsula.
Analysis: Due to the fact there were no survivors, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of accident. However, since there was no evidence of material failure or malfunction, most probable assumption is the pilot was investigating radar contact by letting down through the overcast in order to make visual contact with radar target. In so doing, the pilot either received erroneous information or misunderstood instructions given by radar operator, which resulted in aircraft striking island. It is the opinion of the AAs that had there been a material failure or malfunction, the pilot would have contacted either Thornbourgh Airways at Cold Bay via voice radio or base radio via CW radio." The pilot who found the wreckage was Lt. A.M. Zakarian. The USS Tillimook was sent to investigate.
Fatalities
Busby, AT3 Edwin Francis Jr. - Edwin was born December 08, 1928, a son of Edwin Francis Busby Sr. (1903-1959) and Cecelia A. Mann Busby (1903-1985). His siblings were Thomas Busby, Frances Busby Wallace, Joseph Busby, James Busby, and Robert J. Busby (1935-2003). Edwin and his family members are buried in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Lowell, Massachusetts.
Conklin, LT (jg) Robert Wilfred USN (co-pilot) - Robert was born December 16, 1926 in the State of Washington, a son of Russel Perkins Conklin (1901-1978) and Dorothy Bennington Conklin (1902-1972). In 1949 he married Louise Elizabeth "Bette" Shelby (1930-1991). In 1952 she married Robert's brother, Richard Bennington Conklin and they had children Gail Conklin (Watson), Frances Conklin (Frazier), Laura Conklin (Denton), David Conklin and James Conklin. Robert's siblings were Richard Bennington Conklin (1928-1969), Russel G. Conklin (1941-2013), and William Conklin. Robert is buried in Highland Cemetery, Great Falls, Montana.
Elkins, AOU3 Charles Wyllis - Charles was born September 17, 1922 in Linton, Indiana, a son of James Wesley Elkins (1896-1969) and Effie May Nolan Elkins (1896-1980). The World War II veteran was married to Donetta L. Powell Elkins (1928-2005) (later Mrs. Donald Keith Shields), and they had one son, Harold Duane Elkins, who died in his infancy (1945-1946). His siblings were Betty June Elkins (1924-1926), Paul Wayne Elkins (1932-2001), George R. Elkins (1935-2002), and Mrs. Ralph (Mary Elkins) Padgett. Charles is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Linton, Indiana.
Enloe, ALAN Bobby (Frank E.) - Bobby was born December 19, 1929 in Houston, Texas, a son of Russell Enloe Sr. (1912-1985) and Martha Armenta Henderson Enloe (1912-1990). His siblings were Russell Enloe Jr. (1935-2010), Betty Joyce Enloe Williams, Marianne Enloe Daniels, and Joan Enloe Bullard. Bobby is buried in Brookside Memorial Park, Houston, Texas.
Flinkfelt, ADAN Elnord Ellis (aviation machinist's mate) - Elnord was a son of Ellis Andres Flinkfelt (1900-1966) and Nellie M. Hall Flinkfelt (1903-1986) of Rhode Island. His siblings were Mrs. Edward Painter, Hazel May Flinkfelt, Warren A. Flinkfelt (1934-1986) and Vernon Flinkfelt (1935-1999). Elnord graduated from West High School in 1949 and enlisted in the Navy in March of 1950. He was stationed in Seattle, Washington before being transferred toKodiak, Alaska, in July of 1951. Elnord is buried in North Bural Ground, Providence, Rhode Island.
Hunt, AM3 Ronald Lee - Ronald was born November 05, 1930, the son of Carolyn Decker Mills Hunt (Makinson) (1909-1992) and Ralph Leland Makinson (1909-1993). Ronald is buried in Haven Memorial Park, Eugene, Oregon.
Park, Lt. Roy Erwin USNR (pilot) - Roy was born October 10, 1920, a son of Samuel Park (1879-1969) and Anna Jane Miller Park (1881-1971). He was married to Lillie M. Smith. His siblings were Floyd Sumner Park (1904-1978), Murlin S. Park (1910-1919) and Carol Gertrude Park Brooks (1918- 2017). Roy is buried in Ferguson Cemetery, Almont, Michigan.
Sexton, AD1 Leonard Walter - Leonard was born June 07, 1921 in Wilson, Oklahoma, a son of James Monroe Sexton (1881-1956) and Ida Belle Womble Sexton (1885-950). He was married to Harriet Ruth Vatcher (1922-1980) on January 08, 1949 in Texas and they had two sons, Leonard Walter and David Richard (later McKay) (1952-1996). Harriet later married Richard William McKay. Leonard's siblings were Jackie Joe Sexton, J.C. Sexton, Mrs. Frank Dillingham, Mrs. Haskell Taylor, Mrs. Lester W. Smith, Mrs. Thomas Eugene Hodges, Mrs. Ira Chitwood, and Mrs. T.M. Culwell Jr. Leonard is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Saugus, Massachusetts.
Wagener, AOAN William Stuart (aviation ordnanceman) - William was born December 20, 1929 in San Francisco, California, the son of William Otto Wagener (1897-1966) and Belle Center Hendry Wagener (1898-1979). William is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
Williams, AL1 Brooks Alton - Brooks was born in 1920. He is buried in Acacia Park Cemetery and Mausoleum, Cook County, Illinois.
Witherspoon, ATAN Joseph Dale - Dale was born October 15, 1228. He is buried with family members Sidney 1905-1970), Thomas W. (1935-1958), Christa (1936-1958) and Nell Witherspoon Tyler (1916-1994) in Gray Community Cemetery, Gray, Tennessee.
Wood, ENS Henry Howard USNR (navigator) - Henry was born April 02, 1930 in Colorado, the son of George R. Wood and Minett H. McCulloch Wood. Henry is buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Colorado.
Captain John Lucius Horn was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-72734) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On August 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the Taedong River. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Horn was born December 29, 1917 in Becker, Minnesota, a son of Otto Herman Horn (1883-1956) and Ella Aleda Margaret Anderson Horn (1893-1983). His siblings were Lilah Kathleen Horn Roberts (1919-2013), Helen Kay Horn Ghent (1930-2013) and Robert L. Horn. Captain Horn was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Captain John Frank Grossman Jr. was a pilot of a F-51 Mustang night fighter (#44-74534) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. He was listed as Missing in Action while participating in aerial support over Korea on August 14, 1951. He was presumed dead on July 25, 1952. Captain Grossman was born March 26, 1921 in Michigan, the son of John Frank Grossman Sr. (1885-1954) and Agnes H. Spaniel Grossman (1901-1993). His sister was Lillian C. Grossman Musgrove (1918-2012). Captain Grossman was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA report: Major William James Greene entered the U.S. Air Force from Virginia and was assigned to 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Late in the afternoon on August 14, 1951, MAJ Greene (West Point Class 1943) departed Chinhae Air Base flying an F-51D Mustang (tail number 44-74897, callsign Poker Stake Dog) as the number 4 pilot in a flight of four. The briefed mission was an armed reconnaissance operation targeting the main supply routes, rail lines, and the marshaling yard in south-central Pyongyang. Major Greene's aircraft was last seen approaching Yangok-do, an oblong island in the Taedong River, at treetop level in order to strafe the bridges connecting east and west Pyongyang. After the mission, when the flight rendezvoused south of Pyongyang, no effort was made to verify if all the aircraft were present before leaving the target area. Major Greene's absence was not established until the flight returned to base; no additional details surrounding his loss are known. Additionally, no returning prisoners of war mentioned having contact with Maj Greene, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Major Greene was born August 26, 1921 in California. His wife was Dorothy M. Greene. Major Greene graduated from the United States Military Academy in June of 1943. He was the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and an Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters.
On a 64 aircraft raid against Pyongyang, 2Lt Christian Lodewyk de Jongh was flying in the No.2 position behind his flight leader, 2Lt Earp, with Lt van den Bos and 2Lt Marchand in the No.3 and No.4 positions respectively. During their attack, 2Lt Earp saw 2Lt de Jong 200 yards behind him and to his left. On pulling out of his napalm run, 2Lt de Jongh reported that he had been hit and that he was heading out to sea, but did not think he would make it. The other members of the flight saw his aircraft briefly as it left the target area, streaming glycol. He was never seen again. In 2000, a South African visitor to Beijing visited a military museum there, and saw the remains of 2Lt de Jong's Mustang (349)
Official DPAA report: Major Murrit Herman Davis entered the U.S. Air Force from Ohio and served with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group. On August 14, 1951, he was the pilot of an F-51D Mustang (tail number 44-74035) when it departed Chinhae Air Base, South Korea. MAJ Davis was flying as the mission commander leading twelve Mustangs on an attack against enemy targets near Pyongyang, North Korea. Arriving at the target area, his flight encountered heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire. After dropping his napalm on the target, his F-51 was hit in an engine oil line, which later caused his aircraft's engine to fail. He started to bail out, jettisoning his canopy, but was not seen to eject from the Mustang. His aircraft continued to descend until it crashed on a hillside near Sinhung-ni, south of Pyongyang. He was not witnessed to have survived the crash. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Maj Davis, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Major Davis was born August 28, 1919, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of William and Flora Davis. He was married to Margaret A. Davis and they had a son, Bolton D. Davis. Major Davis was the recipient of a Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.
United Airlines Flight 615 was a US transcontinental east-west airline service from Boston to Hartford, Cleveland, Chicago, Oakland and San Francisco. On August 24, 1951, the Douglas DC-6B with registration N37550 operating the service, crashed on approach to Oakland, causing the death of all 44 passengers and six crew members on board.
The flight departed Chicago at 10:59 p.m. CST en route to Oakland. At around 4:16 a.m., the plane was approaching Oakland. At this time, the pilot, Marion W. Hedden of Los Altos, had talked with the control tower of the Civil Aeronautics Administration at the airport preparing for his landing, and had mentioned no trouble. At 4:25 a.m. Flight 615 was cleared for the straight-in approach into Oakland. This approach clearance was the last radio transmission with the flight. The plane crashed into mountainous terrain 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Oakland, careening into Tolman Peak and over its knoll, scattering on the down slope and into Dry Gulch Canyon below in a fiery explosion. All 50 persons on board perished.
After an investigation, it was determined that the pilot ignored the prescribed instrument landing procedures. The pilot instead relied on visual reference, using the copilot's automatic direction finder (ADF). The ADF threw the plane three miles (4.8 km) off course and below the prescribed altitude of 3,500 feet (1,100 m).
Crew Fatalities
Durante, Flight Engineer Angelo Mario Codorna, 36, of Sausalito, California - Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on January 15, 1915, he was a son of Luigi "Louis" Durante (1873-1950) and Maria "Mary" Iannone Durante (1880-1959). His siblings included Mary L. Durante (1914-2012), Domenick Antonio Durante (1901-1975), Guido Pompelio Cosmo Durante (1903-1993), plus two more. Mario had worked with United for 13 years, and been a flight engineer for almost two years.
Hedden, Captain Marion W., 42, of Los Altos, California - Born on April 25, 1909 in Alabama, he was a son of William Samuel Hedden (1871-1946) and Mary Alice Owens Hadden (1876-1969). He was the husband of Pauline Forsythe Hadden (1908-1985). His siblings were Owen S. (1901-1927), Lyman George (1903-1999), Gladys E. Hedden Hays (1911-2000) Walter A. Hedden (1914-2001), Olivet Hedden (1904-1996), Stanton Hedden (1907-1964), Harriet Hedden (1917-1995) and Marion Hedden (1909-1952). Hedden began his career with United Air Lines on November 1, 1939. A former Navy flying instructor, he had accumulated 12,032 flight hours, including 417 in the DC-6 and 14 in the new DC-6B. He was granted a DC-6 rating on January 15, 1951, and qualified on the DC-6B on April 26, 1951, only four months earlier. Captain Hedden is buried in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California.
Jewett, First Officer George A., 35, of Redwood City, California - Born on June 19, 1916 in Iowa, he was the son of Albert Jewett (1862-1943) and Sophia Halsey Jewett (1878-1922). He was raised in Ames, Iowa, where he married Loretta Maroney (1915-1975) on February 12, 1939. George and Loretta had a daughter, Mrs. Seymour (Karen Ann Jewett) Gregory, and a son, G. David Jewett. George had been flying for United Air Lines for five years, having been a veteran of 37 bombing mission in the B-17 'Flying Fortress' during World War II, leaving the service as a captain. A qualified captain for United for over two years, he was receiving familiarization training in the DC-6B before captaining his own. He is buried in Ames Municipal Cemetery, Ames, Iowa.
Kessler, Flight Engineer Arthur W., 43, of Redwood City, California - Born on September 05, 1908 in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, he was the husband of Elizabeth Kessler (1912-2003). He was the chief flight engineer for the Pacific Coast division of United, having served with them 21 years. He was an observer on this flight. Arthur is buried in Saint Mary Caholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Murphy, Stewardess Marilyn Mae, 24, of San Mateo, California - Born on October 15, 1926 in Peterson, Iowa, she had worked for United since for over two years.
Sholes, Stewardess Mae LaVerne, 22, of Palo Alto, California - Having joined United Air Lines only a year earlier, Flight #615 was to be her last flight, having just been engaged to a graduate of Stanford University. Mae was born April 4, 1929 in Santa Clara County, California, a daughter of Arlan E. Sholes (1901-1966) and Mary Cinquini Sholes (1908-2004). Her sister was Thelma Sholes Horne (1927-1998). Mae is buried in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California.
Passenger Fatalities
Ball, LTJG Dorothy Sue - Leicester, North Carolina. Boarded at Hartford, Connecticut. Born March 18, 1927 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, she was a daughter of Jesse H. Ball (1882-1964) and Lula Jones Ball (1889-1943. Her siblings were Hermie Lou (1909-1935), Ruth S. (1911-1937), Mrs. Charlie E. (Virgie Ball) King (1912-2005), Carl Jesse (1915-1975), Weaver Jones (1917-2000), Marion Garrett (1922-1978) and Doyle Jay Ball (1925-1987). A
Beveridge, William Dean - 29, of Eastontown, New Jersey - Born in Michigan, boarded at Philadelphia. William was born 1921 in Flint, Michigan. He is buried in Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint, Michigan.
Britton, Major Beverly Lawrence - Falls Church, Virginia. Boarded at Chicago. Major Britton was born July 26, 1916 in Los Angeles, California, a son of Beverly Lane Britton (1885-1940) and Anna Mae Miller Britton (1890-1958). His wife was Catherine Lescher Chase Britton (1920-1990). Major Britton is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California.
Colegrove, Andrew C., 43, of Mystic, Conn. Boarded at Chicago. Andrew was born July 22, 1909 in Illinois, a son of Andrew Colegrove (1863-1911) and Mary Adelia Chapman Colegrove (later Speakman) (1880-1944). His wife was Jane Lathrop Colegrove (later Weir, Kinney) (1913-1984). His siblings were Cora Elizabeth Colegrove Earley (1907-1948) and James Thomas Speakman (1922-1998). Andrew is buried in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, Connecticut.
Danielson, Major Theodore Raymond, 41, of San Francisco - Born in Montana, served in the U.S. Army in Korea, was an engineer training officer at the Presidio, and is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery.
D'Anna, 2LT Lawrence A., 29, of Camp Stoneman, Calif. - Born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 05, 1922, he was the son of Angelo D'Anna (1889-1957) and Mary Gialmo D'Anna (1895-1990). His siblings were Rosalie D'Anna Arhar, Coletta D'Anna Logan, and Maria D'Anna. Lieutenant D'Anna is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio. He was a World War II veteran.
Davis, Madison Thenton III, 41, of Altadena, Calif. Boarded at Chicago. Madison was born March 17, 1910, a son of Madison Thenton Davis Jr. (1879-1935) and Julia Lee Staunton Davis (1879-1964). He was married to Betty Reynolds Davis (Emerson) (1913-2005). His brother was Sidney Prescott Davis (197-1989). Madison is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, West Virginia.
Fejes, Private John M., 17, of Camp Stoneman - John was born on December 12, 1933 in Ohio, a son of Michael "Mike" Fejes (1888-1968) and Elizabeth Juhasz Fejes (1893-1967). He left Jefferson High School to work at age 16 prior to joining paratroopers. His siblings were Richard M. (1923-1984), Andrew M. (1925-2018), Steven (1927-1969), Betty Pressler, Irma Bognar, and Adelbert George Nagy. His half siblings were Ernest P. (1913-1986), Theresa Irma Fejes Landberg (1915-2004) and Robert W. Fejes Sr. (1919-2005). John is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park, Ohio.
Fitzpatrick, PFC Robert A., 19, of Salem, Massachusetts. He was born in 1932 in Salem, Massachusetts.
Gommel, Nancy Jean, 5, of Albany, California. She boarded at Cleveland. Nancy was born September 24, 1 946 in Ohio, the son of Richard Conrad Gommel and Viola Belle Davis Gommel. She is buried in Evergeen Cemetery, Painesville, Ohio.
Gommel, Richard C., 8, of Albany, California. - Born on September og, 1923 in Ohio, the son of Richard Conrad and Viola Belle Davis Gommel. He boarded the plane at Cleveland. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Painesville, Ohio.
Gommel, Viola Belle Davis, 30, of Albany, Calif. - Born in Ohio on March 16, 1921, she was a daughter of David R. Davis (1895-1960) and Bessie Irene Winchell Davis (1896-1977). Viola and her two children boarded the fated plane at Cleveland. She was the wife of Richard Conrad Gommel, a service manager at the Marquette Metal Company. Viola was a 1939 graduae of Harvey High School. She married Richard Conrad Gommel (1918-1998) on November 10, 1941. Her siblings were Jean Skidmore, Joyce Erjavic, Jack and Carroll. Viola and her family are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Painesville, Ohio.
Grota, Joseph M., 22 - Born in North Tiverton, Rhode Island on September 28, 1929, he was a son of Joaquim Medeiros Grota (1902-1964) and Honorina (Irene) Bento Grota (1909-1996). His siblings were William R. (1937-2011), Edward Anthony (1931-2010), John J. (1935-1993), Mrs. Leo (Marie) Paquin (d. 2007), Irene Marie Grota (1939-2018) and Lawrence J. Grota (1947-2023). Joseph is buried in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River, Massachusetts.
Gunn, Clayton Edward, 49, of Oakland, Calif. - Born in Iowa, he was the president of Continental Auto leasing System, and a well-known cattle rancher. He and his wife Leah had a son Clayton Edward Gunn Jr., 11 years old, and Lana Gunn, nine months old.
Hitson, James Lee, of Athens, Tenn. - James was born July 30, 1928 in Athens, Tennessee, the son of Robert C. Hitson (1905-1972) and Mary Sue Inman Hitson (1910-1992). He was married to Ruby Davis Hitson (later Mrs. Robert C. Cockrell), and they had a daughter, Linda Hitson Hill Larkin (1949-2010). James is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Athens, Tennessee.
Holmlund, Hugh Kris, 3, of Menlo Park, Calif. Boarded at Chicago. Born in 1948, he was a son of Hugo Julius and Pauline Alberta Holmlund, he is buried in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California.
Holmlund, John Paul, 8 months, of Menlo Park, Calif. Boarded at Chicago. Born and died in 1951, he was a son of Hugo Julius and Pauline Alberta Holmlund. He is buried in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California.
Holmlund, Pauline Alberta, 24, of Menlo Park, Calif. - Born in Kentucky in 1927, she was married in 1946 in Ohio to a United Airlines mechanic Hugo Julius Holmlund. She is buried in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California, with her two sons. Her surviving husband later remarried.
Johnson, Clarence Dean, 57, of Portland, Oregon. - Dean was born on January 02, 1894 in Lewisville, Arkansas, a son of Clarence Dean Johnson Sr. (1866-1940) and Dorothy A. "Dollie" Farrar Johnson (1874-1965). He was married to Ruth R. Robertson (1893-1961) in 1919 and they had two sons, Clarence Dean "The Captain" Johnson III (1924-2010) and Robertson Lee Johnson (1930-2009). His brothers were Robert Farrar Johnson (1912-1969) and Ernest Edward Johnson (1898-1951). Dean was a graduate of Cornell University with an engineering degree. He moved to Portland, Oregon in 1922. He sered overseas in World War I, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal. He was the president of C.D. Johnson Lumber Corporation and was a member of many civic and social organizations in Portland. He is buried in River View Cemetery, Portland.
Johnson, Ernest Edward, 45, of Portland, Oregon. Ernest was born in 1898, a son of Clarence Dean Johnson Sr. (1866-1940) and Dorothy A. "Dollie" Farrar Johnson ( 1874-1965). He married Edith Hortense Menefee (later Mrs. Martin Crimmins Jr.) in 1929 in Portland. They were parents of daughters Dorothy F. and Margery Johnson. Edith was born in 1909 and died in 1987). His brothers were Clarence Dean Johnson (1894-1951) and Robert Farrar Johnson (1912-1969). Ernest graduated from Cornell University and served overseas during World War I. He was the vice president and sales manager for the C.D. Johnson Lumber Corporation. He is buried in River View Cemetery, Portland.
Keiser, SGT Carl R., 27, of Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Carl was born June 17, 1924. He married Mae H. Werst (1923-1991). Carl is buried in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown.
Liebich, Frederick George, 19, of Belmont, California. - Frederick was born on August 29, 1932 in Illinois, a son of George Frederick Liebich (1904-1994), a United AIrlines mechanic, and Anna Elizabeth Balcuilis Liebich (1907-1983). He and his brother, Wayne, filled a last-minute vacancy on the flight. They are buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma, California.
Liebich, Wayne Thomas, 11, of Belmont, California - Wayne was bor on July 28, 1940 in Wyoming, orn in Illinois, a son of George Frederich Liebich Sr., a United Airlines mechanic, and Anna Elizabeth Balcuilis Liebich (1907-1983). He and his brother Frederick filled a last-minute vacancy on the flight. Wayne is buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma, California.
Lyons, Irving Francis Sr., 58, of Oakland, California - Irving was born April 14, 1892 in San Francisco, California, a son of Daniel H. Lyons (1866-1909) and Teresa Nolan Lyons (1868-1963). He was married to (1) Alice Edna Cole Lyons (1891-1973) and (2) Christine P. Lyons. He was the father of Irving Francis Lyons Jr. and Mary Christine Lyons. His siblings were Leo Joseph Lyons (1898-1939) and Daniel Heny Lyons (1901-1974). Irving Sr. was educated in public schools and Sacred Heart College in San Francisco. He studied law at Golden Gate College and then went to work for the Southern Pacific Company for four years. In 1913 he was employed by the California Fruit Canners Association and in 1917 he was assigned to the Freight Accounting Department. In 1927 he became the Traffic Director. He was a member of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the California State Chamber of Commerce. He is buried in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, California.
Leach, John Franklin, 55, of Oakland, California. - Born October 20, 1890 in Girard, Kansas, he was the chief tender on the Oakland-Alameda bridges, and was returning from the national Moose convention in Buffalo, New York. His widow was Mary Etta Leach (1888-1962). They are buried in Golden Gate Mausoleum & Columbaria, Kensington, California.
McDonald, Agnes Louise, 46, or Oaklawn, Illinois. Agnes was born August 07, 1905 in Chicago, a daughter of Albert Herman Kluck (1878-1961) and Augusta E. Arndt Kluck (1882-1968). She was married to George Owen McDonald (1905-1951) and they had a daughter Joyce Ester McDonald (later Mrs. Eugene Lawrence "Gene" McQuaid) (1930-2019). Agnes' siblings included Gertrude W. (Kluck) Dietz (1904-1977), Helen J. Kluck (1908-1997), Lenore Clara (Kluck) Knaack (1910-1968), Emilie Maria Kluck (1912-1918), William Albert August Kluck (1915-1989) and Ester Martha Charlotte Kluck (1917-1929). Agnes is buried in Mount Vernon Memorial Estates, Lemont, Illinois.
McDonald, George Owen, of Oaklawn, Illinois. George was born November 21, 1905 in Buffalo, New York, a son of Mamie Owen McDonald (1883-195*). He married Agnes Louise Kluck (1905-1951) and they were parents of a daughter, Mrs. Eugene Lawrence "Gene" (Joyce Ester McDonald) McQuaid. His brother was Hugh James McDonald (1903-1943). George is buried in Mount Vernon Memorial Estates, Lemont, Illinois.
Napton, 1st Lt. William Berkeley Jr., 30, North Sacramento, Calif. - William was born in Ontario, Oregon on March 03, 1921, the son of William Berkeley Napton Sr. (1878-1947) and Meryl Katherine Volin Napton (later Mrs. George James Over Sr.) (1892-1989). He was married to Anne B. Napton and they had a nine-month old son, Thomas. Mrs. Napton was pregnant with their second child, daughter Dosh Napton (later Dosh McClendon), at the time of the crash. William attended Oakland Technical High School 1936-1939, the University of California 1939-43 and 1946-47, and studied at the University of Chicago 1947-48. He was the former assistant superintendent at Sutter Hospital June 16, 1949-July 27, 1950, and then became business manager of Concord Community Hospital. At the time of the crash he was the registrar of the infirmary at McClellan AFB. He was on the plane returning from a conference at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton.
Petrie, Robert T., of Portland, Oregon. Robert was born September 17, 1897 in Uyeasound, Shetland Islands, Scotland.
Rex, Private Raymond E., 20, of Carey, Ohio. Raymond was born July 20, 1931. A member of the 101st Airborne Division, he is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Carey, Ohio.
Robbins, PFC James, 22, of Conneaut, Ohio - Born in Indiana.
Rose, Mrs. Elizabeth Angeline, 36, of Redwood City, California - Born in Illinois on August 27, 1914, a daughter of James Harvey West (1884-1953) and Ruby Ruth Rogers West (1887 -1992). She was married to I. Dean Rose (1915-1998), a United Airlines Mechanic. They were parents of Kathleen Ann Rose, who died in the airplane crash, too. The siblings of Elizabeth Rose were Lois Anna West Horner (1910-2007), Mary Etta West Clark (1912-2002), Neva Jean "Gyp" West Kibler Danner (1919-2010), Clara Maxine "Billie" West Rector (1922-2010), James Joseph West (1925-1925), and Barbara June "Bobbie" West Brown (1929-2009). Elizabeth is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, Illinois.
Rose, Kathleen Ann, 3, of Redwood City, California. Kathleen was born in 1947, the daughter of I. Dean Rose (1915-1998) and Elizabeth Angeline West Rose (1914-1951). She is buried with her parents in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sidney, Illinois.
Schwartz, Electrician's Mate Reynold L., 20, of Avon, Ohio -Reynold was born June 26, 1931 in Avon, Ohio, the son of Leo Schwartz (1894-1958) and Hilda A. Rink Schwartz (1899-1965). He had been home on a 14-day leave after completing naval training at Great Lakes, Illinois. He is buried in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Avon.
Stilley, Howard Leo, 42, of Oakland, California. Howard was born July 05, 1909 in Peoria, Illinois. He was a sales manager for Bay Cities Equipment. In 1933 he married Leone "Lee" Gosnell (1909-1993) and they had a son, Howard Lawrence "Larry" Stilley (born 1934). Leone later married Amile Donald Lucot.
Saldana, Joseph A., 22, of San Jose, California- Joe was born in 1929 in Texas. He had just been discharged from the Army after four years of service. He is buried in Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara, California.
Sena, Josephine Florence, 35, Hartford, Connecticut. - Josephine was born in Connecticut on September 03, 1915, a daughter of Saverio Sena (1886-1970) and Chiara Stella Detoro Sena (1892-1953). Her siblings were Constance (1913-1983), Lena (born 1914), Joseph (1918-1987), and Emma Marie (1923-2010). Josephine is buried in Center Cemetery, Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
Toman, Hospital Corpsman 3C Joseph Leonard, of Youngstown, Ohio. Joseph was born on September 12, 1929 in Youngstown, Ohio, a son of John S. Toman Sr. (1884-1967) and Julia Pavlansky Toman (1888-1967). He graduated from Wilson High School and then enlisted in the Navy on October 05, 1948. He was a hospital corpsman at U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but had received a new assignment in San Francisco, California. He formerly worked for Republic Steel Corporation. His siblings were brothers John S. Toman Jr. and Frank Toman, and sisters Mary, Helen and Anna Toman. Joseph is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown, Ohio.
Van, Eric Preston, 46, of Portland, Oregon. Eric was born on March 28, 1905 in Seattle, Washington, a sn of Caro Mae McFarland Van (1879-1963). He married Lucy Cornelia Rawlings (1912-1978) in 1931 and they were parents of Eric Preston Van Mr. (1932-2019) and Nicholas William "Nick" Van (1935-2012)/ Lucy Van later married William C.J. Kremmel. Eric was a partner in the famous accounting firm of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company, and was CPA for the C.D. Johnson Lumber Corporation. He and Dean and Ernest Johnson were on the plane returning from a business trip in Chicago. Van's ashes were spread at Haystack Rock, Oregon.
Weaver, George Horace, of Bangor, Pennsylvania. George was born December 01, 1928 in Belfast, Pennsylvania, the son of Harry Edward Weaver (1907-1990) and Lula Alice Rader Weaver (1907-2977). He is buried in Plainfield Cemetery, Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania.
Willauer, Anna Lee, 14, of Menlo Park, Calif. - Born in 1937 in Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of Harold Clarence Willauer (1912-1994) and Catharine Dierolf Willauer (1913-1951). She is buried near her parents in Mount Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum, North Coventry Township, Pennsylvania.
Willauer, Mrs. Catharine Dierolf, 38, of Menlo Park, California. Catharine was born on April 03, 1913 in Union Township, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Johy Frey Dierolf (1885-1956) and Anna Lee Dierolf (1891-1958). She was the high school sweetheart of Harold Clarence Willauer (1912-1994). The two graduated from Pottsville High School on August 08, 1936. They were parents of Anne Lee Willauer (1937-1951), Dennis Gray Willauer (1948-1951) and Leslie Jean Willauer (1950-1951). Her sister was Anna Lee Dierolf Gillock (1914-1988). Catherine is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum, North Coventry Township, Pennsylvania.
Willauer, Dennis Gray, 4, of Menlo Park, Calif.- Born in Wyoming in 1948, he was the son of Harold Clarence Willauer (1912-1994) and Catharine Dierolf Willauer (1913-1951). He is buried near his parents in Mount Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum, North Coventry Township, Pennsylvania.
Willauer, Leslie Jean, 14 months, of Menlo Park, California. Born in California in 1950, the youngest child of Harold Clarence Willauer (1912-1994) and Catharine Dierolf Willauer (1913-1951), Leslie is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum, North Coventry Township, Pennsylvania.
Captain David Jerry French was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74513) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On August 25, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire. He was not able to bail out successfully. Captain French was born February 19, 1917 in Alaska, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Theo French. He was married to Ruth J. French. His brother was Tom French. Captain French is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
HTL-3 #124566 lost power and crashed in three fathoms of water. The crew swam to shore and were rescued.
Rescued:
Andrea, Maj. Otto A.
Parkins, Capt. Clarence W.
A AD-4Q Skyraider dive bomber (#124051) with Composite Squadron 35 aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9) burst into flames and crashed into the sea about five minutes after take-off. There were two missing crew members.
Missing in Action:
Balch, ATAN Philip Kendall - Aviation Electronics Technician First Airman Philip Kendall "Peeb" Balch was the radarman onHis remains were not recovered. Nis nickname was "Peeb." DPAA: On August 26, 1951, an AD-4Q Skyraider (bureau number 124051) with a crew of two launched from the USS Essex (CV 9) off the coast of North Korea. Immediately after takeoff, however, it caught fire in mid-air. The aircraft plunged into the sea within view of the ship and quickly sank. Rescue boats and helicopters searched the water for survivors but were unable to find any sign of the crew. ATAN Balch was born June 21, 1929 in Wood Stock, Vermont, a son of Lowell L. Balch (1905-1978) and Mary Louise Putney (Brown) (1905-2000). His brother was Edward Putney Balch (1927-1996) and his half-sister was Phyllis Ruth Balch Leonard (1948-1968).
Smith, Ltjg. Loren Dickerson - Ltjg. Loren Dickerson - Lieutenant Smith was born October 28, 1927, the son of Col. Lowell Thornton Moseley (1906-1998) and Maurene "Rene" Dickerson Moseley (1907-2000). His half sister was Sharon Connolly Pickard (1937-2024).
Lieutenant John David Hoke was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73873) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On August 31, 1951, he was strafing the entrenched enemy forces on a mountain ridge two miles west of Changjae, North Korea when his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. Lieutenant Hoke was born January 19, 1921 in Chadron, Nebraska. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 18, 1942. He married Grace Ion Fowler (1921-2014) in June of 1944 in New York, and they had two sons: John Larry Hoke (1946-2018) and Barry Hoke. Lieutenant Hoke was activated for the Korean War from the Wyoming National Guard in April of 1951 and flew about 11 missions in Korea before he was shot down and killed. He is buried in Beth El Cemetery, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
"Pilot departed NS Adak on routine operational patrol flight, destination Adak at 0616 on 31 August Weather conditions at Adak at time of take-off were ceiling indefinite, 500-ft overcast, visibility two miles with fog, wind NNE at 7kts. Pilot made GCA take-off on runway 5, continuing on northeasterly course to point 18mi ENE of station. Aircraft then started a right turn, and pilot informed GCA that he was in the clear and proceeding on his patrol. At 0914, two hours after first position report was due, Search & Rescue was alerted, and a search of his intended track was started. Wreckage was found at 1215 at about the 800-ft level on the NW side of Little Tanaga Island, which is about 16mi ESE of NS Adak.
Investigation: brought forth the following facts:
(A) An out report on CW, was received from 66280 at 0626.
(B) Pilot had made previous patrols of this same area.
(C) GCA lost radar contact with 66280 at four miles NE of station because of plane's insufficient altitude and requested pilot to climb which he did because radar contact was regained at six miles.
(D) When aircraft was 18mi. NNE, GCA heard pilot ask plane's radar operator if he had the pass on radar. It was at this time GCA control was released by pilot and plane observed, by GCA, to turn to a heading of about south. It was at this time (0625) GCA equipment was completely secured.
(E) With present radar repeater scope installation in cockpit of P4Y it is practically impossible for pilot to fly airplane and view radar scope.
(F) When proceeding through Little Tanaga Strait at low altitude on radar, the radar return from Bilak Island at time obscures the pass making it appear as a dead end.
(G) Marks on sidehill made by the propellers and starboard aileron indicate the plane was in a left turn, and on a easterly heading when it hit.
(H) There is no evidence to indicate either engine or structural failure.
(I) Pilot was overheard by survivor to say that he was going to turn and climb just prior to crash.
(J) Pilot stated the night prior to the accident that he was going to fly through Little Tanaga Strait on his south bound patrol leg.
Analysis: No definite analysis can be arrived at due to insufficient evidence. However, Board thinks it is quite possible that the pilot tried to remain below the overcast and proceed contact through Little Tanaga Strait with the aid of radar pilotage. If this assumption is true, it is also possible that he was unable to maintain contact and the radar operator was confused by the radar return from Bilak Island. It is assumed then that, the pilot decided to turn into a clear area and climb to a safe altitude, but lacked sufficient space to complete the maneuver and collided with the mountain."
Fatalities
Cook, LT Berdel Alfred (pilot) - Lieutenant Cook was born May 25, 1923 in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Berdel James Cook (1900-1978) and Hazel A. Ohlsen Cook (1902-1993). He attended Duke University and then received his wings in Corpus Christi. He served as a flight instructor for 30 months prior to his death. On April 15, 1950 he married Mary Louise Smith. Lieutenant Cook is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Stamford.
Diana, LTJG William H. (pilot/navigator) - Lieutenant Diana was the husband of Joan Patricia Leehan Diana (1926-2008) and the father of Joanie Diana (died 1963, age 12) and Ellen M. Diana.
Huber, ALCA Marvin Paul (1st radar) - Marvin was born January 15, 1921 in Ft. Berthold, North Dakota, a son of Charles Frederick Huber (1882-1940) and Philomena Badger Huber (1889-1964). He was married to Edwidge "Dougie" Doumit (1916-1988). His siblings were Charles (1910-2003), Frederick John "Fred" (1911-2000), Felix (1913-1944), Inez Huber Reidhead (1918-1960), Ernestine Carlyle Huber Perry (1922-1997) and Gordon Edgar (1927-1974).
Jenkins, AD1 George Yell Sr. (plane captain) - George Jenkins was born April 20, 1921 in Hobbs, New Mexico, a son of Garrett Oden Jenkins (1891-1984) and Ella Mae Bruce Jenkins (1894-1969). A World War II veteran, George was married to Betty Jo Rice Jenkins. They had a daughter and a son, George Yell Jenkins II (1951-1988). AD1 Jenkins is buried in Tucumcari Memorial Park, Tucumcari, New Mexico.
Mallard, ADC James Green (2nd mechanic) - ADC Mallard was born October 23, 1921. The World War II veteran is buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.
McNair, AN Don Randal (ordnance) - Airman McNair was born January 20, 1930, a son of Adolphus Randall McNair and Bertha Elizabeth Ross McNair. His siblings were Mrs. Emmett Joseph (Clariece Maude McNair) Pseencik (1920-2005), Kent McNair, and Belva McNair Bennett. Don McNair is buried in Eden Cemetery, Eden, Texas.
Molina, ALAN Anthony Coenen (2nd radar) - Airman Molina was born September 16, 1929, a son of Frank and Bridget Molina. His siblings were Henry R. (1932-2017), Mary Alice, Mrs. Lye (Mary Helen) Watson, Mrs. Juan (Lydia) DeLaOssa, and Mrs. Bob (Teresa "Terri") Aranda. Anthony is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Sutley, Ens. Frank Hubert (pilot/navigator) - Ensign Sutley was born August 14, 1929 in Jefferson County, Alabama, a son of Grady Lee Sutley (1899-1987) and Gladys Lucille Martin Sutley (1903-1992). He married Doris Helen Partee (later Mrs. George R. Konen Jr.) (1924-2012). His siblings were James Albert Sutley (1923-2014), George Leon Sutley (1925-1925) and Russell William Sutley (1927-1927). Frank is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama.
Tacie, ATAN Wilford E. (radar operator) - Wilford was born March 01, 1929, the son of Norman Joseph Tacie (1903-1958) and Rose Helen Borkowski Tacie (1902-1986). He was married to Rosemary Ellen Ricketts (1929-2007). His sibling was Gerald Franklin Tacie (1925-1985). Wilford is buried in Mount Home Cemetery, Port Huron, Michigan.
Survivor
Mullick, AM1 Frank W. (3rd machanic) - seriously injured
Flying Cheetah 2Lt. Martin Olckers Grunder was leading a flight of four Mustangs to cut rail and other supply routes. After completing the primary sortie, they headed south, and over Youndong 2nd Lieutenant Grunder spotted something on the ground, in a wooded area which he went to investigate. It was an anti-aircraft battery, and he proceeded to strafe this, followed by the rest of his flight. His No.2, Major Wiggett, lost sight of 2nd Lieutenant Grunder in the sun as he pulled up from his strafing run. Shortly after this, Major Wiggett saw a Mustang canopy and some papers floating down at 1500 feet, but no sign of 2Lieutenant Grunder's aircraft (#44-74632). A search revealed the aircraft wreckage on the ground, but no sign of 2Lieutenant Grunder, and no parachute was found. Lieutenant Grunder was the son of A.J. Grunder. [Source: South African War Graves Project]
1Lt. Laurence Coe Layton was the pilot of a F-86A Sabrejet fighter interceptor (#49-1258) with the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On September 2, 1951, while on a combat mission, his flight of two F-86s fought with a flight of six MiG-15s. When his aircraft was hit, he bailed out near the mouth of the Chongchon River. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on March 31, 1954. Lieutenant Layotn was born September 17, 1928 in Lewes, Delaware, the son of Halsted Patterson Layton (1891-1963) and Jennie Harvey Jones Layton (1901-2000). His siblings were Patricia Layton Thompson (1922-1995) and Anne Landreth Layton (1926-2010).
Lt. Frank Sistrunk was the pilot of an AD-4L Skyraider dive bomber (#123967) and Operations Officer of Fighter Squadron 54 aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9). On September 3, 1951, while bombing a bridge in enemy territory, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire. He tried to make it to the east coast but the aircraft went into a steep dive, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Sistrunk was born ASpril 12, 1922 in Louisiana, a son of Willie Hite Sistrunk (1887-1940) and Lillian O. Renfroe Sistrunk (1887-1976). He was married to Helen Rita Sistrunk (1924-2011). His siblings were Wilmer E. Sistrunk (1908–1992), Infant Sistrunk (1909–1909), Hilda Ellen Sistrunk Lott (1911–1984), Earl Mayran Sistrunk (1912–2002), William Ray Sistrunk (1915–1983), Euanita "Honey" Sistrunk James (1917–2009), David Edward Sistrunk (1918–1997), Maggie Sistrunk Longest (1924–2014), and Creighton Benjamin Sistrunk (1927–2007). Lieutenant Sistrunk was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Just after take-off on September 04, 1951, a civilian twin-engine Cessna owned by Christianson Air Service crashed in suburban Rogers Park (Anchorage). Witnesses on the ground said that one engine caught fire and the plane came down, narrowly missing two houses and crashing into the backyard of a third residence. Everyone onboard the aircraft died--some while enroute to the hospital. Credit was given to the Cessna's pilot, Norm Maither, for his heroic effort to avoid crashing the plane into suburban homes.
Fatalities
Arndt, Laurence Frank - Arndt was born January 22, 1892 in Marion, Wisconsin, son of Frank F. Arndt (1867-1938) and Emma Wilhelmina Haase Arndt (1872-1963). He is buried in Crandon Lakeside Cemetery, Crandon, Wisconsin.
Beaver, Orlyn Maurice - Beaver was born May 10, 1914 in Kasson, Minneosta, son of Bernard O. Beaver (18880-1960) and Pearle E. Nichols Beaver (1888-1978). Orlyn graduated from Kasson High School, Rochester Junior College, and the University of Minnesota. He married Rosemary Agnes Mar (later Ferrin) on July 3, 1936. Rosemary was born in 1915 and died in 1984. The couple had four children: Bernard "Bernie" Beaver (1941-2021), Coralie Beaver (Fiegel), James Beaver and Catherine Mary Beaver (Brossard). Orlyn was survived by his wife and children, his parents, and a sister Marcella Elaine Beaver Hansen (1917-2003). Beaver was a Lieutenant (jg) in the Navy during World War II. In 1948 he purchased the accounting firm of William Head and then in 1950 he formed the partnership of Beaver and Van Seventer. They opened branch offices in Seward and Palmer and he was en route to the Seward office when the Cessna crashed. Orlyn Maurice Beaver is buried in Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.
Drake, Clara Sullivan - Drake was born January 9, 1923 in Ballston Spa, New York. She was a World War II veteran and captain in the US Air Force attached to the 39th Air Force Medical Group as a nurse stationed in Anchorage. She was married to Capt. Donald V. Drake, who also died in the plane crash. The couple had married just a few days before the plane crash. Clara is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Ballston Spa, New York.
Drake, Donald Varner - Drake was born August 01, 1920 in Pennsylvania, a son of John Wesley Drake (1895-1991) and Lulu M. Varner Drake (1895-1986). He was a World War II veteran who enlisted in the Air Force on October 21, 1939. He married Clara Sullivan, who also died in the plane crash. The couple had married just a few days before the plane crash. Donald was survived by his parents and his siblings Mrs. Herbert Glenn (Eleanor Drake) Benton (1922-2017), Wilfred "Bud" Drake and Roger Drake. Donald is buried in Scrubgrass Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Emlenton, Pennsylvania.
Maither, Norman Francis - Maither was born April 11, 1908, in Santa Cruz County, California, son of John Benjamin Maither (1877-1912) and Susan "Susie" Murrish Maither. Norman married Helen Louise Bendowski (1911-1960) in 1927. They were parents of Brian Maither and Betty Maither (Benedict). Norman was formerly with the Civil Aeronautics Administration and was formerly the manager of the Anchorage Airport. Besides his wife and children, Maither had known siblings Elizabeth H. Maither and Doris M. Maither. Norman is buried in Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.
Based on the carrier USS Essex (CV-9), this Pantherjet was on a mission over Haengsan, Korea when it was hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. The pilot's remains were not recovered.
Fatality:
Bramwell, LTJG Ross Kay - Lieutenant Bramwell was born June 08, 1925 in Ogden, Utah, thje son of Wilford L. Bramwell (188101977) and Josephine Spilsbury Bramwell (1884-1967). In 1948 he was married to Donna Rae Denkers (1925-1970). His sisters were Clarese Bramwell (1906-1906) and June Bramwell James Glenn (1922-2003). Lieutenant Bramwell was a member of the Class of 1948 USNA. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
On September 4, 1951, while making a run on a truck near Sinp'yong, this aircraft from Fighter Squadron 51 aboard the USS Essex (CV-9) was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed five and a half miles north northwest of Sinp'yong, North Korea.
Killed in Action:
Ashford, LTJG James Joseph "Jim" - Lieutenant Ashford was born February 04, 1926 in Kansas, the son of Albert W. Ashford (1903-1939) and Mary Crutcher Ashford (later Castleman) (1901-1990). From Belton, Missouri, he was a World War II and Korean War veteran. His remains were recovered during Operation Glory and buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. For more information about this mission, read John Moore's book, The Wrong Stuff.
Lt. Norman Biden was a member of a South African Air Force "Flying Cheetahs" flight detailed to attack an artillery position in the 'Punchbowl' area. His aircraft (#45-11390) failed to pull out of it's dive during the napalm attack, and crashed into the ground and burst into flames. Lieutenant Biden was the husband of Mrs. M.B. Biden.
Three airmen lost their lives on September 07, 1951 when their C-47A transport crashed about five miles southwest of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, while practicing ground control approach touch and go landings. A fourth airman survived the crash. While en route to the crash scene, a rescue helicopter crashed and its two occupants were killed. Anyone who has further information about these two crashes and their victims are encouraged to contact us.
C-47 Crew Fatalities
Baker, Cpl. Robert E. (safety engineer ) - Corporal Baker was born December 05, 1930. He was survived by his mother of Seattle, Washington. He is b uried in Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle.
Severson, Capt. Donald Grant (pilot) - Captain Severson was born September 22, 1922 in Dunn County, Wisconsin, the son of Eli Severt Severson (1888-1975) and Clara Etta Gaard Severson (1893-1966). He was married to Gilda Gregerson Wheeler on March 23, 1946. Gilda (1927-2011) later married George Dunn. Captain Severson was a graduate of Boyceville High School in 1941 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1942. He was adjutant of the maintenance and supply groups at Eielson, as well as flying duties at the time of the crash. Captain Severson is buried in Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, Wheeler, Wisconsin.
Spletzer, T/Sgt. Roy F. (civil engineer) -Sergeant Spletzer was born April 03, 1929 in Newaygo, Michigan, a son of Gustav Spletzer (1884-1968) and Julia Draves Spletzer (1891-1973). He was married on July 26, 1951 to Mildred Marie Moffatt. His siblings were Edward Spletzer (1912-1979), Mrs. Leo (Lydia M. Spletzer) Schwartz (1914-1975), Bernard A. "Duke" Spletzer (1916-1974) and Louis A. Spletzer (1920-2002). Sergeant Spletzer is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Methuen, Massachusetts.
Rescue Helicopter Crew Fatalities
Alden, Capt. Frank Adrian Jr. (pilot) - Captain Alden was born April 28, 1918 in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Frank Adrian Alden Sr. (1885-1949) and Marie Hilda Sjogren Alden. He was survived by his widow, Rose, and two children. His siblings were Georgia Maria Alden Manganis (1914-1990) and Ralph L. Alden (1921-2004). Captain Alden was due to return to the States on rotation on September 18, 1951.
Allen, Capt. Joe K. - Captain Allen was born August 05, 1916 in Mortonsville, Kentucky, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Allen of Velsaille, Kentucky. He is buried in Versailles Cemetery, Versailles, Kentucky. The KWE believes he was the son of Joseph A. "Joe" Allen (1874-1964) and Carrie Dove Nave Allen (1874-1956). It that is the case, his siblings were Burgess Swope Allen (1914-2004), Rhoda Bell Allen Hartley (1894-1987), Dawson Allen (1896-1961), Alvin Thompson Allen (1898-1973), Blanche Allen Duncan (1901-1975), James Oliver Allen (1905-1975), Frances L. Allen Range (1906-2002) and Paul L. Allen (1908-1968).
Survivor
Parik, Lt. Francis - From South Bend, Indiana, he was thrown clear of the wreckage and survived the crash. He was picked up in a daring night landing by Capt. Louis Erhart of New Haven, Connecticut.
First Lieutenant William Edwin Jackman entered the U.S. Air Force from Texas and served with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group. On September 13, 1951, he piloted an F-51D Mustang (tail number 44-72427A) that took off from Seoul Air Base (K-16), Korea, as fourth of four aircraft on a combat mission against a railroad in North Korea. While making his pass at the target, 1st Lt Jackman was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He subsequently failed to check in with others on the flight at the predetermined rendezvous point. The other pilots attempted to contact 1st Lt Jackman by radio but were unsuccessful, and so they returned to the target area to search for him. They found that his F-51D had crashed into a mudflat southwest of Sandan-dong. 1st Lt Jackman was observed to have been killed in the incident. The crash occurred in enemy territory, making ground recovery operations in the area were impossible. 1st Lt Jackman was not seen again, and his remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict. Lieutenant Jackman was born December 19, 1926 in San Marcos, Texas, the son of Edwin Green Jackman (1888-1950) and Margaret Henrietta "Etta" Olds (Lenoir) (1897-1984). He had two sisters. Lieutenant Jackman was the recipient of an Air Medal.
During a high-elevation practice maneuver, this Banshee (#124968) collided with another aircraft. Due to damage to the pilot's plane tail section, the pilot returned to the Essex for an emergency landing. Heavy with fuel, the 14-ton jet hit the deck, raced past the arresting wires and through fight barriers and then smashed into a stack of aircraft parked foward of the ship's flight deck. There was an explosion and terrific blaze. Three carrier personnel were instantly killed. The pilot of the Banshee died, and five deck hands jumped into the sea without life jackets because they were covered in flames. Two men were recovered from the sea. They were severely burned, but were alive. The other three were never recovered from the sea. Keller's aircraft was pushed off of the deck to avoid further catastrophe.
Fatalities:
Barfield, AD3 Wade Hilton (Essex crew) - Wade was born June 29, 1928, a son of Jesse Burl Barfield (1896-19 57) and Marie Sandifer Barfield (1906-1962). His siblings were Charlton Burl (1924-2013), Eugene J. "Gene" (1926-2005) and Heyward Elsma (1930-2003). Wade's tombstone is located in Olympia Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina.
Keller, LTJG John Kemp (pilot of the Banshee) - Lieutenant Keller was born February 06, 1925 in Mount Carmel, Illinois, the son of John Everett Keller (1884-1970) and Ada Kemp Keller (1888-1968). His sister was Ruth Keller Howe (1921-1982).
Hammond, AA Roger Clark (Essex crew) - Roger was born November 02, 1931 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Hildegarde Lindseth Hammond (1901-1982). He was a graduate of Great Falls High School and then attended Montana State University for one year before enlisting in the Navy in May of 1950. Roger died of his injuries in a Japanese hospital on October 07, 1951. He is buried in Highland Cemetery, Great Falls, Montana.
Harrell, AA Charles Lamar (Essex crew - MIA) - Charles was born on October 07, 1931, the only son of William Sidney Harrell (1891-1979) and Clara Odell Garrison Harrell (1896-1977). His sisters were Sara Rebecca Harrell (1925-2011) and Mary Dell Harrell (1927-2019).
Neifer, AOC Earl Kenneth (Essex crew - MIA) - Earl was born July 27, 1918.
Netolicky, AN Vernon (Essex crew - MIA) - Vernon was born December 29, 1928, a son of Willie M. Netolicky (1893-1933) and Amelia Metzger Novotny Netolicky (1895-1983). His siblings were Alma I. Netolicky Warren (1920-1969), Ltc. William M. Netolicky (1921-2010), Maxine B. Netolicky Tesar (1923-1974) and Clarence J. Netolicky (1926-1992).
Stewart, ADC William James (Essex crew) - William was born September 01, 1951, the son of William Everett Stewart. He married Leona Hirn Stewart (1916-1988) on October 21, 1945, and they had a son, William J. Stewart. William is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
1Lt. Carl George Barnett Jr. was the pilot of a F- 86A Sabrejet fighter interceptor (#49-1113) with the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter- Interceptor Group. On September 26, 1951, while on a combat mission over Sinuiju, Korea, his flight of four F-86s was attacked by a MiG-15. His aircraft was shot down. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Barnett was born December 30, 1927, the son of Carl George Barnett Sr. and Iva I. Barnett. He had a sister named Joyce. Lieutenant Barnett attended Sandusky High School and was the recipient of an Air Medal. His name appears on a list entitled, "The Transfer of U.S. Korean War POWs to the Soviet Union" dated September 1993.
DPAA: Captain Donald Wilbert Akers, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was assigned to the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. Just after noon on October 4, 1951, he took off from Suwon (K-13) Air Base, Korea, flying an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-656A), in a flight of four. The briefed mission was a routine training operation. During the flight, while pulling out of a dive-bombing pass and approaching level flight, Capt Akers' aircraft appeared to do a half roll to the left and struck the water inverted. The Shooting Star then crashed into the Asan Bay, approximately 10 miles west Pyongtaek (K-6) Air Base, exploding on impact. Searches of the area were unable to locate the aircraft or the pilot. He remains unaccounted-for.
Missing in Action:
Akers, Capt. Donald Wilbert - Captain Akers was born April 26, 1924 in California. He was the husband of Barbara Brewster Akers and the stepson of Elliotte G. Morgan and Loraine W. Morgan of Oakland, California. A graduate of Fremont High School, Captain Akers was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster and an Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
Ltjg. Cordice Isaac Teague Jr. was the pilot of an AD-4 Skyraider dive bomber (#123945) with the Fighter Squadron 54 aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9). On October 6, 1951, as his aircraft was recovering from a dive bombing run on a road west of Kowon, it was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. His remains were never recovered. Lieutenant Teague was born February 03, 1926 in Temple, Texas, the son of Cordice Isaac Teague Sr. (1900-1983) and Ione Shilling Teague (1901-1980). He was married to Helen Earle Black (later McAllister) (1928-2021). Lieutenant Teague was a graduate of Moody High School. He graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in engineering and attended Columbia University. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
First Lieutenant Newman Camay Golden was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-74971) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 17, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames 6 miles southwest of Choso-ri, Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and presumed dead on March 31, 1954. Lieutenant Golden was born October 12, 1919 in Cincinnati, Ohio, a son of James Adams and Selika Golden. He was married with a son and a daughter. The daughter's name is Marilyn Golden Beecham-Hood. His brothers were Howard and Leonard Earl Golden and his sister was Ella Golden. Lieutenant Golden graduated from North College Hill High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 06, 1943 and graduated from the Tuskegee pilot training program in 1944. During World War II he served with the 99th Fighter Group in Europe. He was the pilot of a P-51 Mustang when on March 20, 1945 his aircraft was struck and he had to bail out over Wels, Austria. He was captured by the Germans and held in Stalag VII-A prisoner of war camp until liberation.
On a flight from K-1 to K-2 with Photo Unit, Headquarters Squadron, MAG-33, 1st Marine Air Wing, TBM-3E, Tail #53830 struck a cable and crashed. One Marine onboard lost his life. Four others survived.
Fatality
Youngman, 1Lt. Wilbur Hughes Jr. - 1Lt. Wilbur Hughes Youngman Jr. was born May 30, 1921, the son of Wilbur H. Youngman Sr. (1896-1986) and Alice Strode Youngman (1891-1961). He joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and received a commission at Quantico. He was a China Marine who was discharged in 1947 and then joined the Reserve Corps. He was a member of the famous Hell's Angels squadron at Anacostia Naval Base. He went to Japan in June 1950 as an engineering officer prior to going to Korea. He and his wife, Evelyn Dolores Lynch Youngman (1920-2004), were parents of CarolAnn Youngman Roy (1942-2021) and Robert H. Youngman. His siblings were Dean Garner Youngman (1923-2009) and Jean Anne Youngman Hedgepath (1935-2000).
Survivors
Baker, Cpl. J.B. (injured)
Koon, MSgt. Clarence C. (injured)
Linn, 2Lt. J.J. (injured)
Novak, Cpl. P.S. (injured)
First Lieutenant Oliver Eugene Jones was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-13256) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 22, 1951, during a combat mission, his engine failed and he was unable to bail out. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Jones was born November 08, 1925 in Duncombe, Iowa, a son of Percy E. Jones (1888-1986) and Ruth M. Jones (1898-1940). He was married to Joyce D. Jones. His siblings were George Jones, Margaret Jones, and Sally "Sara" Jones Major Billings (1936-2022). Lieutenant Jones wa the recipient of an Air Medal.
On this date Capt. Alexander Franklin "Alex" Sears, a World War II ace, was killed in a T-6G crash near San Angelo, Texas. At the time he was serving with the 3545 Pilot Training Wing based at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Captain Sears was born September 22, 1922 in Abilene, Texas, a son of Claude Franklin "Bud" Sears (1888-1952) and Loretta Lola "Lola, Lo" Lassetter Sears (1889-1966). His siblings included a twin brother Arthur Sears and sister Mary Lo Sears Tice (1927-1967). Captain Sears is buried in Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, Texas.
First Lieutenant George Dale Jones was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-13465) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On October 28, 1951, while on a combat mission and after a rocket pass one mile northeast of Chamgmong-myon-do, Korea, his aircraft crashed into water. His remains were recovered. Aircraft nickname "Sweet Alice." Lieutenant Jones was born August 17, 1920 in Hawthorne, Nevada. His mother was Gladys Artie Holmes (later Sain) (1890-1972). He was married to (1) June Elizabeth Conser (1922-1968) in 1944, and to (2) Ruth Juanita Harris (later Carlson) (1920-2007) in 1947. They were parents of sons James Harold Jones and Dale Carlin Jones. His siblings were Carol Lee Jones, Richard Lafayette Beale, Henrietta "Tiny" Beale Harrer, and Norma Basini. Lieutenant Jones graduated from Smith Valley High School and attended Junior College in San Mateo, California. During World War II he served in the Mediterranean. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Reno, Nevada.
FlyingCheetah 2Lt. Harold T.R. Joyce of the South African Air Force was flying as No.2 to LieutenantPretorius, on a rail interdiction mission. About 20 miles north of the bomb line the No.3, Lieutenant Beamish, reported that he had a coolant leak and he and the No.4 Mustang were ordered to return to their base at K-46. Not long after this, Joyce reported that his engine was smoking, and Lieutenant Pretorius decided to also return to K-46. While en route, 2nd Lieutenant Joyce reported that his engine was now alright, and Lieutenant Pretorius decided that the two of them would bomb Inchon instead, as this was directly on their route home. He ordered 2nd Lieutenant Joyce to arm his bombs, which instructions were acknowledged, and they went in for the attack. After Lt Pretorius had climbed away he observed a brilliant flash on a hillside south of Inchon, and despite repeated attempts he was unable to raise 2nd Lieutenant Joyce on his radio. He concluded that 2nd LIeutenant Joyce had flown into the hillside while making his attack. Lieutenant Pretorius returned later that day with another flight of aircraft, but although they were able to find the crash site, there was no sign of 2nd LIeutenant Joyce. LIeutenant Joyce was the son of Major H.V. Joyce.. [Source: South African War Graves Project]
First Lieutenant Ned Charles Frankart was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On November 3, 1951, while on a combat mission, he directed his aircraft into the west entrance of a rail road tunnel near Hwadong-ni, Korea. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Frankart was born March 19, 1917 in Indiana, the son of Charles William Frankart (1887-1941) and Blondine Sarah "Blondie" Yoss Frankart (1894-1979). He was married to Florence Elaine Robison (later Hofacker) (1920-1990) in 1941. His siblings were Betty Blondie Frankart (1918-1927), Charlotte May Frankart Buckmaster (1926-2008) and June Leah Frankart (1925-1925). Lieutenant Frankart was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
During a routine training mission, F9F-9 Panther Jet #125269 began to trail smoke and then burst into flames. The heroic pilot, Ens. Ralph Anthony Lennon, remained in the aircraft, guiding it away from crowded Newport until it crashed onto properties on Cottage Street and Gibbs Avenue. No one on the ground was injured, but Ensign Lennon lost his life. Ensign Lennon was born October 09, 1928. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, New York and then the University of Iowa. He joined the Navy in 1946 and was a Korean War veteran. Ensign Lennon is buried in Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York.
Lieutenant Keith Clarkson DFM RAN, a former Second World War Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot, was shot down and killed on 5 November 1951 while strafing North Korean ground targets. He was from RANAA Squadron 805 operating off of the HMAS Sydney.
Capt. Charles William Pratt was the pilot of an F-86A Sabrejet fighter bomber (#49-1338) with the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On 8 November 1951, while on a combat mission escorting an RF-80 photo reconnaissance aircraft near Sinanju, North Korea, his flight of four F-86s was attacked by ten to twelve MiG-15s. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on 31 December 1953. Captain Pratt was born July 01, 1921 in Michigan. He graduated from Flint High School (Michigan) in 1939 and was in pre-law at the University of Michigan in 1940. He was a graduate of the USMA Class of 1945. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
After departure from Frankfurt-Main Airport, the crew was informed about strong winds blowing from the northwest up to 30 knots, on the route between Dijon and Bordeaux. The pilot-in-command continued his route in IFR Mode at the altitude of 6,000 feet. While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the Casadorgne peak of the Mt. Dore range located near Le Mont-Dore, about 32 km southwest of Clermont-Ferrand, France. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and all 36 occupants were killed. It was reported that the visibility was estimated over 40 km below the cloud layer that was 6/8 at 1,000 meters. Nevertheless, the aircraft was off course to the south by 100 km at the time of the accident, probably due to strong winds. Also, the crew continued the flight at an altitude of 6,000 feet instead of the initial intended 8,000 feet. It was rportedly transporting US Army postal workers to set up a military post office at Bordeaux, France, as well as patients. A nurse and aid man (names not located) died in the crash, along with the following:
Fatalities:
Baird, Capt. Raphael Francis (senior pilot) - Captain Baird was born July 09, 1921 in Georgia, a son of Robert Thomas Baird Sr. (1892-1962) and Mattie Cass Baird (1896-1985). He was married. His brother was Robert Thomas Baird Jr. (1917-2012). Captain Baird joined the Army Air Corps on January 24, 1943.
Boardman, SSgt Merton Ralph - Sergeant Boardman was born March 10, 1927 in Hardwick, Vermont. He is buried in Waterbury Center Cemetery, Waterbury Center, Vermont. His tombstone lists his first name as Merton. Other sources list his first name as Morton.
Bruington, Cpl. Samuel Simon Jr. - Corporal Bruington was born April 29, 1930, the son of Dr. Samuel Simon Bruington Sr. (1886-1932) and Alma Bruington. His siter was Camille A. Bruington Jones (1926-2007. He is buried in Clinton Cemetery, Irvington, New Jersey.
Calfee, Pfc. Joseph Harold - Private Calfee, a member of the crew, was born September 13, 1930 in Chilton County, Albama, a son of Samuel Cecil Calfree (1906-1969) and Vida Ree Plier Calfee (1908-1992). His siblings were Samuel Stewart Calfee (1936-1991), Charles Evan Calfee (1943-2011) and Thomas Lee Calfee (1944-2016). He is buried in Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama.
Click, Pfc. William Cooper "Bill" - Private Click was born June 07, 1931, in Hawkins County, Tennessee, a so of W. Cooper Click (1905-1968) and Blanche Arnold Click (1908-1993). His siblings were James Larry "Jim" Click (1937-2004) and Patrick Click (1943-2007). He is buried in McPheeters Bend Baptist Church Cemetery, Church Hill, Tennessee.
Deken, Sgt. Raymon Laverne - Sergeant Deken was born August 17, 1931 in Adrian, Michigan, the daughter of Everett R. Deken (1908-1976) and Ethel M. Deken (1907-1945). His sisters were Grace Lucille Deken Kaledo (1928-1997) and Doris Deken. His brothers were Everett and Robert Deken. Sergeant Deken graduated from Highland South Richland High School in 1948 and enlisted the same year. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Adrian, Michigan.
Del Vecchio, Sgt. Leonard Richard - Sergeant Del Vecchio was born June 04, 1928 in Eastchester, New York, a son of Frank Joseph Del Vecchio (1892-1950) and Maria M. "Maggie" Paduano Del Vecchio (1895-1965). His siblings were Anthony J. Del Vecchio (1924-1980), Daniel F. Del Vecchio (1933-2016), Frank Del Vecchio, Albert Del Vecchio, Giacome "Jack" Del Vecchio, Mrs. Gerald (Marie Del Vecchio) Bracalella, Mrs. Anthony (Margaret Del Vecchio) DiCarlo, Mrs. Anthony (Carmella Del Vecchio) Vigliott, and Mrs. Anna (Del Vecchio) Mirra. Sergeant Del Vecchio is buried in Holy Mount Cemetery, Eastchester, New York.
Devila, Cpl. Edward G. - No information found.
Dickerson, Cpl. William A. Jr. - Corporal Dickerson was born July 16, 1925, the son of William A. Dickerson Sr. He is buried in Elmwood Hill Cemetery, Troy, New York.
Duke, SSgt. John H. - Sergeant Duke was born November 30, 1918. He is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery, Valdosta, Georgia.
Edie, Pfc. David Edgar - Private Edie was born June 14, 1925, the son of Harold M. Edie (1896-1981) and Edna Margaret Lewis Edie (1900-1998). His sister was Carol Edie Henderson (1928-2019). Privat Edie is buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge, New York.
Edmondson, TSgt. Wilson Collin - Sergeant Edmondson was born on November 25, 1912, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edmondson. He was married at the time of the accident. His siblings were Woodrow, Gene, Henry, Richard, Clyde, Horace, Mrs. R.G. Densmore, Mrs. George Claussen, and Mrs. Herman Grimes. Sergeant Edmondson is buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas.
Felger, Pfc. Milo W. - Private Felger was born November 30, 1930, a son of Emmitt Lee Felger (1893-1955) and Lavera Faye Adams Felger (1897-1990). His siblings were Carrll L. Felger (1917-1931), Kenneth Eugene Felger (1920-1992), Helen Lois Felger Drocy (1921-2004), Mary Eileen Felger Amweg (1924-2003), Junior Lee Felger (1926-2009), Richard Vernon Felger (1933-1997), Ralph Earl Felger (1934-2003), and Roger L. Felger (1937-2013). Private Felger arrived in Germany in July of 1951 and was attached to the 36th Motor Vehicle Squadron. Private Felger is buried in Taylor Cemetery, Union Township, Ohio.
Finck, 2Lt. Roy William A. (co-pilot) - Roy was born 9 Feb 1924 In St Charles. His father was Emil P. Finck (1894-1980) and his mother was Clara Maria Elsie Koetter Finck (1896-1981). Roy had one brother; Walter and two sisters; Doris and Kathleen. Roy attended St. Charles High School. He was treasurer of the HI-Y Club, according to the yearbook. His draft card indicates that he worked for the University of Missouri in Columbia MO. Finck married Betty Jane Renne Finck, from St. Louis, in 1948. They lived at 2101 Randolph Street in St. Charles MO. Roy had a degree in mechanical engineering. Finck enlisted in the Air Force in 1949 and served during the Korean War. He had the rank of Second Lieutenant. His service number was 1911560 and he served with 11th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Wing at Rhine Main, Germany. 2nd Lieutenant Roy Finck was also a veteran of World War II. During the Korean War, he was the co-pilot of a C-82 transport with the 11th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Wing at Rhine Main, Germany. On 13-NOV 1951, the aircraft was enroute from Rhine Main to Bordeaux, France when it crashed on Mt. Dore, near Bordeaux, about 250 miles south of Paris killing all 36 on board. The weather at the time according to newspaper reports was foggy with limited visibility. Roy along with 35 others died in the crash on 13-NOV-1951. He left behind, his wife Betty and their 10 month old son, Wayne. They were living in Frankfurt Germany when the accident happened. Betty telephoned informing Roy’s parents of the accident. Roy’s body and his family returned to St. Charles on 2-DEC 1951. Roy Finck is buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in St Charles. [Source: Mid-America Veterans Museum]
Fox, TSgt. Francis Frederic (flight mechanic) - Sergeant Fox was born July 17, 1919, in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, a son of Mary Fox. His siblings were Effie Fox Silver, Mildred Fox Hixson, Richard Fox and Ernest Fox. Sergeant Fox is buried in Detroit Memorial Park West, Redford, Michigan.
Fitzgerald, Capt. John Joseph - Captain Fitzgerald was born June 20, 1917 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was married to Lorraine Claire Jermyn (1921-2001) and they were parents of a son, Michael Francis Fitzgerald (1949-2013). His brother was John Joseph "Jack" Fitzgerald. He was a member of an Air Postal Squadron. Captain Fitzgerald is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford, Massachusetts.
Glingener, Cpl. Ernest Jr. - Corporal Glingener was born May 26, 1930, the son of Ernest and Helene Pfaff Glingener. His sister was Mrs. Peter (Norma L. Glingener) Prevett (1935-2022). Corporal Glingener is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, New Jersey.
Graber, Pfc. Arthur Frederick - Private Graber was born `October 17, 1929, the son of Alford Charles Graber (1902-1982) and Jacqueline Graber (1902-1969). He was a member of the 3 6th Motor Vehicle Squadron. Private Graber is buried in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey.
Greathouse, Cpl. Jack Manin - Corporal Greathouse was born October 14, 1920, a son of Luther LeRoy Greathouse (1906-1979) and Ruth Utz Greathouse (1908-1983). His brother was Herbert L. "Butch" Greathouse (1942-2013). Corporal Greathouse is buried in Woodside Cemetery and Arboretum, Middletown, Ohio.
Gregory, Pfc. Charles L. - Private Gregory was born October 16, 1932. He was a member of the 86th Motor Vehicle Squadron. Private Gregory is buried in High Hills Cemetery, Sussex County, Virginia.
Griffith, Sgt. Donald Edward - Sergeant Griffith was born April 04, 1 930, a son of Rudolph Lafayette Griffith Sr. (1903-1988) and Addie Lou Sampley Griffith (1901-1981). His brothers were Rudolph Lafayette Griffith Jr. (1925-1954) and Richard Sampley Griffith (1922-2008). Sergeant Griffith is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Plant City, Florida.
Henson, Pfc. Newton M. Jr. - Private Henson was born January 09, 1922, a son of Newton M. Henson Sr. (1892-1975) and Nelle Edith Henson (1894-1989. His brothers were Jack Allen (1923-1985), Robert Frank (1926-2012) and William R. Henson Sr. (1931-1992). Private Henson is buried in Oak Cemetery, Forth Smith, Arkansas.
Johnson, Pfc. Hubert Jr. - Private Johnson was born August 30, 1935. He is buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay Township, Missouri.
Krushas, Sgt. Stanley Valentine - Sergeant Krushas was born on February 14, 1929 in Elkhart, Indiana, a son of Stanley William Krushas (1885-1953) and Beulah Farmer Krushas (1899-1947). His siblings were Lerton Stanley Krushas (1921-2017), Edward William Krushas (1924-1994) and Anna Mae Krushas Block (1926-1982). He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.
Lewis, Cpl. Freddie - Corporal Lewis was born August 26, 1929, a son of Fred Lewis (1898-1948) and Eliza Jane Ott Lewis (1898-1976). His siblings were Infant (1919-1919), Infant boy (1920-1920), Willie (1920-1920), Della Mary Lewis Pridgen (1921-1997), Olivette Lewis (1923-1925), Milda Eliza Lewis Rivers (1931-2012), and Lenoria Lewis Davis (born 1925).
Lewis, Sgt. Richard William - Sergeant Lewis was born March 28, 1930. He is buried in Dawson County Cemetery, Glendive, Montana.
Miller, Cpl. Judson Enloe - Corporal Miller was born December 20, 1927 in Hayward, California, a son of James Francis "Jimmie" Miller (1882-1964) and Gladys Oleta Scott Miller (later Mrs. Ruel Taylor) (1897-1989). His siblings were Franklin, Gladys Lynam, Cora Hohman, and Lillian Rothman. Corporal Miller enlisted in the Army in August of 1944 and served two and a half years in Germany where he was a guard in the Nuremburg war criminal trials. After discharge he enlisted in the Air Force and was in Germany another two and a half years with the 85th AF Motor Vehicle Squadron. He is buried in Custer County Cemetery, Miles City, Montana.
Patterson, SSgt. Horace A. - Sergeant Patterson was born June 11, 1916, a son of Clifford C. Patterson (1875-1944) and Cora V. Sivley Patterson (1878-1964). His siblings were George W. (1898-1972), Luthern (1900-1980), Henrietta Patterson Kuykendall (1903-1975), Nannie V. Patterson Porter (1904-1990), Bernice V. Patterson Stidham (1906-1981), Willie Mandy Patterson Miller (1908-2002), Johnnie Lee (1912-1966), Charles Lonnie (1914-1986) and Herman A. Patterson (1919-1966). Sergeant Patterson is buried in Simcoe United Methodist Cemetery, Simcoe, Alabama.
Powell, A1C Harold Ray - Airman Powell was born June 22, 1928 in Elmore County, Alabama, a son of Jessie Daniel Powell (1905-1966) and Mary Odessa Powell (1906-1984). His siblings were William Bobby (1929-2013), Roy Donald (1932-2016), Charles Rabon (1934-1999) and Mary Evelyn Powell Pemberton (1941-2018). Airman Powell is buried in Friendship Cemetery, Friendship, Alabama.
Royal, A1C Vinson - Airman Royal was born May 29, 1925, a son of Rev. Oliver Royal (1888-1943) and Katie B. Royal later Archer Brown) (1889-1961). His siblings were Birdie Marie Royal Johnson (1916-2004), Opal Mael Roy Phox (1923-1996), Felix Royal (1928-1980), Rev. Sinclair James Oliver Royal Sr. (1929-1979) and Rev. C.G. Royal Sr. (1932-2001). Airman Royal is buried in Pyland Cemetery, Lassater, Texas.
Schuette, Sgt. Walter Emil Jr. - Sergeant Schuette was born January 08, 1929 in Iowa, a son of Walter Emil Schuette Sr. (1905-1986) and Elsie Ann Hatton Schuette (later James) (1907-1984). His brother was Orville Schuette. Sergeant Schuette is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa.
Shoemaker, Pfc. Kenneth E. - Private Shoemaker was born November 23, 1932 in Kappa, Illinois, a son of Clarence A. Shoemaker (1910-1990) and Mildred M. Turpin Shoemaker (1911-1983). He was married to Patricia J. Watterson (later Casson) (1932-2022) on June 23, 1951. Among his siblings were Donald Richard Shoemaker (1929-2011), Ray Shoemaker (1931-2017), Gerald L. "Jerry" Shoemaker (1935-2014) and Connie M. Shoemaker Zook (1944-1977). Private Shoemaker was en route to Bordeaux to start a new motor pool. He was a member of the 36th Motor Vehicle Squadron. Private Shoemaker is buried in Sunny Slope Cemetery, Saunemin, Illinois.
Sykes, Sgt. Earl C. Jr. - Sergeant Sykes was born August 14, 1927, the son of Earl C. Sykes Sr. He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Stanklewicz, Pfc. Frank A. - Private Stanklewicz was born June 06, 1927. He was a member of the 60th Motor Vehicle Squadron. He is buried in Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, Moosic, Pennsylvania.
Verde, Cpl. Cesario (passenger) - Corporal Verde was born March 18, 1929.
West, Cpl. Charles W. - No information found.
Lt. William Arnold Bryant was a pilot of a AD-4 Skyraider Dive Bomber (#123923) with Fighter Squadron 54, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). On November 17, 1951, his aircraft stalled on takeoff and crashed into the sea. He drowned during the rescue operation of a helicopter. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Bryant was born September 25, 1925 in Allen, Oklahoma, a son of William Arnold Bryant Sr. (1900-1987) and Cannie Lee Cranford Bryant (1908-1994). He was married to Mahana Louise Blevins Bryant (1925-1992) on June 05, 1945. His siblings were John Thomas "J.T." Bryant (1927-1928), Arlena L. Bryant Rohrbaugh (1933-2012) and Homer Ray Bryant (1937-1989). Lieutenant Bryant was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with four Gold Stars.
A B-29 type aircraft (#44-86247) from the 344th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Wing (M), Fifth Air Force, crashed while taking off on an operational mission with a full complement of bombs. The aircraft had a maximum load of 500 pound demolition bombs and gasoline when it lost power. After an unsuccessful attempt was made to stop, the aircraft crashed at the end of the runway and burst into flame.
The aircraft commander was Captain John P. Brennan, USAF. After he left the burning aircraft, he noticed two crew members, apparently in a state of shock, standing at the aircraft amidst burning gasoline and exploding machine gun shells. Although Captain Brennan knew the fuses of the bombs were of a delicate nature and would explode at any moment, he immediately rushed back and guided the crew members to safety. Shortly thereafter, the first of a series of four explosions occurred, and Captain Brennan was struck in the ankles. When he observed another crew member near the aircraft, Captain Brennan, once again disregarding his own well being, made an immediate rescue. He received the Soldier's Medal for heroism.
Airman Third Class Herman Breeding, Jr., USAF, also received the Soldier's Medal for his heroic actions while serving with a crash rescue crew from the 6161st Air Installations Squadron, Yokota Air Base. After rushing to the scene of the above mentioned crash, and in spite of his awareness of the danger of an explosion of high octane fuel and bombs, Airman Breeding attempted to enter the burning aircraft to remove crew members whom he believed were trapped in the wreckage.
Rescued
Almack, 1Lt. Robert B.
Brenna, A3c John C.
Bushby, TSgt. John
Emerson, 1Lt. Robert C.
Foye, Sgt. Raymond D.
Harter, Sgt. Loren F.
Miyose, Sgt. Morito
Moore, Sgt. Garland A.
Plumley, SSgt. William R.
Reiss, 1Lt. Eli B.
Wolfe, Lt. Col. John P.
[KWE Note: Although all the crew members were rescued, ten base firefighters (3 US airmen and 7 Japanese nationals) lost their lives in this fiery crash. A memorial to the firefighters was re-dedicated in February 2011 after it was relocated to the new fire department facility at Yokota.]
U.S. Firemen Fatalities
Breeding, Pfc. Herman Jr. - KWE Note: Biographical information not yet found.
General Orders: Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 235 (May 17, 1952)
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Airman Third Class Herman Breeding, Jr., United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving actual conflict with an enemy while on serving with a crash rescue crew, 6161st Air Installations Squadron, Yokota Air Base, on the night of 18 November 1951. Airman Breeding and his crew rushed to the scene of a B-29 type aircraft which had crashed while taking off on an operational mission with a full complement of bombs. In spite of his awareness of the danger of an explosion of high octane fuel and bombs, Airman Breeding attempted to enter the burning aircraft to remove crew members whom he believed trapped in the wreckage. Through his act of heroism and selfless courage in the performance of service far beyond the normal call of duty, Airman Breeding reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force."
Caudle, Sgt. Forrist D. - Forrist was born April 20, 1931 in Bedford, Texas, a son of Forris Temple Caudle (1903-1959) and Virgie Mae King Caudle (1906-1994). His siblings were Arthur Harold Caudle (1929-2022), Harold Caudle, Ray Caudle, and Sheryl Caudle. Forrist is buried in Merriman Cemetery, Ranger, Texas.
McDonald, Sgt. Newton Preston Jr. - Newton was born November 30, 1926 in Florida, a son of Newton Preston "Newt" McDonald (1902-1979) and Viola Laura "Sister" DeBary McDonald Chambers (1902-1965). His sibling was Jack Aubrey McDonald (1929-2009) and his half brother was Douglas Chambers. Sergeant McDonald is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.
Japanese Firemen Fatalities
Ikeda, Mr. Isamu
Izawa, Mr. Shinepei
Morita, Mr. Chotaro
Sato, Mr. Yasuo
Tanaka, Mr. Shigeru
Tsunoda, Mr. Masakichi
Yamada, Mr. Noboru
Lt. George Hutton Krohn was a member of a flight tasked with rail interdiction. On take off, Lieutenant Krohn aborted due to a fault with his radiator, and was delayed 10 minutes, the rest of his flight continuing without him. After his radiator had been repaired, he took off alone, in an attempt to catch up with his flight. He was seen by two USAF flights, and Lieutenant Krohn reported that he was making his attack with a USAF flight. They reported seeing his bombs explode, and the last American pilot off the target reported seeing a lone 'Cheetah' Mustang heading south. He failed to return, and was not heard of again. Lieutenant Krohn, a membe of the South African Air Force (Flying Cheetahs) was born November 02, 1921.
Ltjg. Eugene Brewer Hale was the pilot of a AD-4L Skyraider Dive Bomber (#123974) with Fighter Squadron 54 aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9). On November 27, 1951, a 250 pound bomb became armed while attached to his aircraft. His attempt to jettison it was unsuccessful. He bailed out over the ocean. After hitting the water he dropped out of sight. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Hale was born January 01, 1928 in Texarkana, Texas, the son of Charles Robert Hale (1893-1927) and Minnie Florence Brewer (Anthony) (1898-1954). His half siblings were Martha Jeanne Hale Findley (1921-1997) and Donald Maxon Anthony (1930-1978). Lieutenant Hale was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Gold Stars.
On 7 December 1951 Lieutenant Richard Roslyn Sinclair, Royal Australian Navy, was killed while bailing out of his flak damaged aircraft. Lieutenant Sinclair hit the tailplane and was killed instantly. His body was later recovered and buried at sea from HMAS Sydney with full naval honours. SubLieutenant Sinclair was born May 14, 1929 in Nedlands, Western Australia.
First Lieutenant Donald Edward Hoffman was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-73289) with the 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. On December 8, 1951, while on a combat mission of hitting the enemy with napalm, a napalm tank disengaged, hit a ridge and exploded, causing his aircraft to crash. He was listed as Missing in Action and presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Hoffman was born on September 18, 1929. He married Jeannine Glass (later Ward) (1929-2020) and they had one son, Donald Edward Hoffman Jr. (now Donald E. Ward. Lieutenant Hoffman graduated from Waukegan Township High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University for three years before joining the Air Force. He was sent to Korea in November of 1951 and was on his seventh combat mission when his aircraft crashed. Lieutenant Hoffman was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Charles Donald Hogue was the pilot of a F-86A Sabrejet fighter bomber (#49-1199) with the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 13, 1951, while on a combat mission in the Sinanju area, his flight of four F-86s was attacked by a flight of four MiGs. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Hogue was born NOvember 19, 1922 in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, a son of Walter Leo Hogue (1898-1970) and Anne O. Hogue (1897-1965). His brother was Jack Hogue.
1Lt. William Francis Prindle was the pilot of a F-86E Sabrejet fighter bomber (#50-681) with the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 15, 1951, while on a combat mission, a MiG-15 damaged his aircraft. He tried to land but lost his hydraulic system, so he parachuted. It failed to open. Lieutenant Prindle was born June 08, 1921, a son of William Edward Prindle (1869-1942) and Frances B. Hord Prindle (1901-1996). His siblings were Theodore and Mildred Prindle.
Air Force C-47 #43-48144 crashed in the Bahamas 1/6 km south of Nassau at night after leaving Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Four were killed.
Fatalities:
Young, Howard Vicilie (pilot) - He was born February 09, 1922. A World War II veteran, he is buried in Golden Gate Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
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C-47 #43-48142 was flying from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, to Travis Air Force Base when it crashed into a northeastern slope of Mount Lassen (east slope of Crescent Crater), Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, during a blizzard. Three crew members and five passengers were killed. Their bodies were not recovered until a tourist came across the crash on May 30, 1952.
Crew fatalities:
Moe, Capt. Vernon E. (co-pilot) - Married to Dorothy Lucille Wallingford Moe, at the time of the crash he had an unborn daughter, Jaclyn Moe (later Morrison). He and Dorothy are buries in Grandview Cemetery, Austin, Minnesota.
Odell, John Franklin (pilot) - He was born September 09, 1915. His wife was Simone Odell. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
McCartney, Capt. Thomas Edward - Born February 07, 1921, he is buried in Golden Gate Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
Passenger fatalities:
Garcia, Cpl. Angel Jr. - Born October 02, 1930, he was the son of Angel Garcia Sr. He is buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, Texas.
Keller, Cpl. Jesse - Corporal Keller was born March 17, 1931, the son of Charles Cornelius Keller (1868-1930) and Frances Rebecca "Marnie" Smith Keller Strock (1901-1979). His sister was Minnie Keller Monts (1927-2017). His half siblings were Jennie Annie Keller (1887-1962), Ida Ruth Keller Pearce (1872-1974), Arthur Jefferson Keller (1894-1966), Thomas Kennerly Keller Sr. (1897-1990), Eunice Keller Stroudenmire (1905-1998), Robert Lewis Keller (1907-1967) and Jacob Chester Strock Jr. (1922-1998). Corporal Keller is buried in Santee First Baptist Cemetery, Elloree South Carolina.
Mikami, Sgt. Yoshito - Sergeant Mikami was born September 16, 1929 in San Joaaquin County, California, a son of Teruichi Mikami (1881-1972) and Mitsuyo Shintaku Mikami (1896-1994). His brothers were Matsuto Jim (1920-2005), Josephn N. (1925-2004), Toshi M. (1928-2005) and Frank M. Mikami. His sister was Teruye Mikami Otani. Sergeant Mikami is buried in Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, California.
Petersen, Cpl. Lewis N. - Born August 18, 1933, he is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Peterson, SSgt. Russell H. - Sergeant Peterson was born September 01, 1933. He is buried in Oakdale Citizens Cemetery, Oakdale, California.
First Lieutenant Thurston Richard Baxter was the pilot of a F-51D Mustang night fighter (#44-72531) with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 21, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Baxter was born December 09, 1928 in Springfield, Ohio, the only son of Col. Thurston H. Baxter (1905-1988) and Mina "Pat" O'Bryan Baxter (1905-2004). He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1950 and was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Stationed at the Glenn L. Martin Company near Baltimore, two Air Force pilots were involved in an accident when the British Canberra jet they were flying lost its tail assembly during a test dive. White smoke trailed from the bomber and then there was an explosion. One pilot successfully parachuted out of the bomber and was not injured, while the parachute of the second pilot did not open and he was killed.
Fatality:
Shaw, Capt. Reid Johns - Captain Shaw was born June 21, 1922 in Ogden, Utah, a son of William Henry Shaw (1886-1978) and Elizabeth Johns Shaw (1890-1943). He was married to Claire Shaw (later Eccles Adams) (1924-2001). They had a daughter, Lynn Matthies Taylor (1946-2001). His siblings were Donald Ray (1915-1988), Glen John (1919-1998), David Arlo (1924-1995), Edith Ann Shaw Page (1928-2011), Philip (1931-1931), and two others. Captain Shaw is buried in Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Utah.
Survivor:
Maj. Harry M. Lester
A C-47 (#43-49143) crashed on this date at Itasuke, Japan, killing four and injuried 27 others, including one Japanese citizen. Eight of the injured were ground personnel hurt when the plane hit a maintenance hangar. The pilot was William E. Hanrahan.
Fatalities:
Fink, Sgt. William F. Jr. - Sergeant Fink was born December 7, 1932, the son of William F. Fink Sr. He is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
Kelly, TSgt. John Paul Jr. - Sergeant Kelly was born November 20, 1925, in San Antonio, Texas, a son of John Paul Kelly Sr. (1902-1968) and Cecilia Marie Steinle Kelly (1899-1965). His siblings were Henery Norman (1927-1974), Julia Mary Kelly Aycock (1929-2016), Marilyn Agatha Kelly O'Rear (1943-2004), William Joseph (died 1935) and one more. Sergeant Kelly is buried in Fourt Sam Houston Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
Rhodes, TSgt. Harry Wheeler - Sergeant TRhodes was born June 12, 1921 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended San Jacintos High School and then attended the University of Houston for two years. He enlisted September 12, 1940 and served in World War II in Germany and England. He enlisted in the Texas National Guard on July 23, 1948 and worked at Sheffield Steel Company until being recalled to active duting on October 10, 1950. On October 24, 1942, he married Maria Angelica Ferguson ( 1923-1992) in Harris County, Texas. They had childdren Nancy, Maude Marie and Harry Rhodes III. His siblings were Edward Hamilton "Ham" Rhodes (1919-1987), Ann Lauve Rhodes Chisholm (1924-2017), Arnold Lee Rhodes (1927-2017) and Maude Marie (1933-1935). Sergeant Rhodes is buried in Forest Park Cemetery, Houston, Texas.
Wenckens, Sgt. William Edward - Sergeant Wenckens was born October 11, 1921, a son of Oscar E. Wenckens (1890-1954) and Annie B. Thomas Wenckens (1898-1994). His siblings were Theodore (1923-2011), Bobby Ray (1938-1979) and Elsie Wenckens Pomonis. Sergeant Wenckens is buried in South Park Cemetery, Pearland, Texas.
Young, Sgt. James B. - Sergeant Young was born April 03, 1922. His wife was Edna M. Williams Young (1914-2000). Sergeant Young was a World War II and Korean War veteran who earned a Bronze Star with Valor. He and Edna are buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, South Carolina.
1Lt. Ward Lawrence Starkweather was the pilot of a F-86A Sabre jet fighter interceptor (#49-1083) with the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On December 28, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft damaged by a hit from a MiG-15 thirty five miles south of Antung, Korea. As he tried to make it back to home base, the aircraft crashed. Lieutenant Starkweather was born January 06, 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of James Arthur Starkweather (187 6-1966) and Juliet Hoitt Starkweather (1876-1939). His sister was JoAnn Starkweather Burdick (1916-1992).
C-47 #44-76266 was enroute to Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas from Hamilton Air Force Base when it crashed into Armer Mountain in Gila County, Arizona, on December 30, 1951 in a rainstorm. The plane hit a jagged cliff with such force that the engines were buried and fusee telescoped. From the air only the tail assembly and small bits of metal were visible. The top half of the plane had been sheared off and was thrown into a crevice near the top of the cliff. All 28 persons onboard the C-47 were killed. It took two days for search and rescue crews to reach the scene. Nineteen passengers were West Point cadets. Three of them (Glasbrenner, Mastelotto and Wilson) are buried side-by-side at West Point. The source of the biographical information about each cadet listed below is USMA1954.org, and all credit goes to the website and its contributors for the information. Go to that website for further information about each cadet because what appears on this page of the KWE is abbreviated.
Fatalities (crew):
Bobak, 1Lt. Walter (co-pilot) - Lieutenant was born August 20, 1922 in Little Falls, New York, the son of Max Bobak (1883-1977) and Eva Pilat Bobak (1891-1973). His sisters were Katherine Bobak (1915-2009), Mrs. Austin (Helen Bobak) Worley and Mrs. James (Mildred Bobak) Swain. Lieutenant Bobak is buried in Saint Marys Cemetery, Herkimer, New York.
Carlson, Maj. Lester Gleason (pilot) - Major Carlson was born January 29, 1923 in Logan, Utah, the son of Swn Lester (aka Lester Wood) Carlson (1901-1975) and Anna Elizabeth Gleason Carlson (1901-1981) (later Mrs. Robert Neil Chesnut). Major Carlson is buried in American Folk Cemetery, American Folk, Utah.
Garafalo, WAF Sgt. Jeanne J. - Sergeant Garafalo was born October 16, 1931 in New Jersey, daughter of James and Lillian Garafalo. She was a member of the 4th Weather Squadron, Continental Air Command, enroute from Hamilton Air Force Base to Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. She is buried in Saint Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum, Colonia, New Jersey.
Fatalities (passengers):
Names not yet found.
Abrahamson, Allan Charles (cadet) - Cadet Abrahamson was born on 28 July 1931 in Kearney, NE, to Milton and Dora Abrahamson. He grew up in Ravenna and Pierce, NE, and in 1945, he and his family, including his two younger brothers, Gary and Gordon, moved to Alameda, CA. Allan attended Alameda High School, where he achieved a high grade-point average and was a member of the California Scholarship Federation. He also was a member of Alameda High School’s Junior ROTC, where he attained the rank of major and was a member of its rifle team. After graduation, Allan entered the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in engineering. After one year, Allan received an appointment to West Point from Congressman George P. Miller, Sr. At West Point, Allan roomed with Everett Drugge and Fred Lindsey in Company F-2. After his Plebe year, he played ice hockey and lacrosse, both of which he enjoyed very much. In 1951, Allan returned home to visit at Christmas. Later, he and 18 other cadets hopped aboard a military transport plane at Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin County, CA, for the return to West Point. On December 30th, due to bad weather, the plane crashed outside Phoenix, AZ, into the Superstition Mountains. All aboard were lost. According to his roommates, Allan, who was nicknamed “Abe,” was fun-loving and a joy to be around, but he also was serious about his studies, which came easy to him. He was competitive in military and athletic endeavors, but his outlook on life was so positive that he would brighten a room when he entered it. His approving smile uplifted the spirits of his classmates. His company barracks were in the “Lost 50’s,” and the cadet gymnasium was just across the street. If there was slack time, he would fill it with a challenge to a game of tennis before dinner or a workout on the squash/ handball courts, which were across the street from the gymnasium. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Ahlgren, 2Lt. George Lewis Sr. (passenger) - A passenger on the ill-fated flight and on his way back to his duty station in Fort Benning, Lieutenant Ahlgren was born August 16, 1928 in San Diego, California. While attending the University of California he was a member of the university rowing team that won the gold medal in the 1948 Olympics in London. In 1949 he married Mary Lynn Morgan (1928-2011), who later married John T. Sullivan. In 1950 George and Lynn's first child, daughter Diane Christine Algren, was born. Their son, George Lewis Ahlgren Jr., was born in 1952 following Lieutenant Ahlgren's death. Lieutenant Ahlgren is buried in Golden Gate Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
Archer, Herman (cadet) - Herman Archer was born in Chicago, IL, on 6 Feb 1930, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Archer. The family moved to the Los Angeles area after Herman graduated from Lane Technical High School in Chicago. At Lane Tech, he was active in various clubs and won a scholarship award. He was a premed student at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played freshman basketball before enlisting in the Regular Army. He then received a Regular Army appointment to West Point and joined the Corps of Cadets on 5 Jul 1950. We always knew him as “Bruno.” I don’t recall the origin of his nickname. Perhaps he brought it with him from his youth in Chicago. I was fortunate to have known him since our days together at Stewart Field, Newburgh, NY, where the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School was located at that time. We were both Regular Army privates first class and played together on the Prep School basketball team. He frequently mentioned Lane Tech as a basketball powerhouse in Chicago, runner-up for the 1947 City Championship, and was proud of his time there. He was a scrappy starter, while I was on the bench most of the time. I still remember him at late night poker games on an Army blanket in the Day Room. The games were long and the stakes were low, with our eighty bucks a month pay at risk. Bruno was intent on getting into West Point and playing for the Brave Old Army Team. It really drove him. He did play intramural basketball during his short time in the Corps. He accomplished the first objective, entering the Academy with our Class of 1954. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Berry, Robert Ward Jr. (cadet) - Robert Ward Berry, Jr. was born on February 10, 1932 in Hackensack, NJ. At that time his father, Robert Ward Berry, Class of 1924, was stationed at West Point as an instructor in the department of mathematics. His mother, Janet Thomson Berry, and both his grandparents lived in Hackensack. Typical of most military families, the Berry family, including Bob and his older sister Patricia, experienced many moves during the distinguished career of their father, who retired from the Army as a major general. Prior to graduating from high school, Bob’s family was assigned to the following military installations: Fort Monroe, VA; Fort Shafter, HI; West Point (his father was instructor in the Department of Economics, Government and History); Fort Leavenworth, KS; Fort Bragg, NC; Washington, DC and the Pentagon, where his father had several assignments with the War Department during WWII. These assignments were followed by tours in Panama and Fort Bliss, TX. Bob attended high schools in Panama and at Fort Bliss. He graduated from Sullivan’s Preparatory School in Washington, DC in 1950. Bob’s sister Pat recalls that he played baseball in high school and was a catcher on the team. While in Panama he developed a love for golf and played in several junior tournaments. He was also an accomplished pianist. Although Bob’s sister was in college while he was in high school, she recalls that he was outgoing, very popular and always had lots of friends. Susie (Hart) Forman, wife of Robert ‘Skip’ Forman, met Bob when her father and Bob’s father, both USMA Class of ’24, were stationed at Fort Bliss. Bob dated her twin sister. She remembers Bob as being a very nice person who pole vaulted and played golf in high school. Being an Army brat with broad exposure to military life, Bob decided early on that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a career officer in the United States Army. Before graduating from high school, he aggressively pursued an appointment to West Point. He received a congressional appointment from Texas and entered the Academy on July 5, 1950, soon joining the ranks of Company D-l. Bob is remembered by his classmates as being a very friendly and outgoing person who was always comfortable in handling the day-to-day rigors of plebe year. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Byers, Nelson Sawyer (cadet) - Nelson Sawyer Byers was born Thomas Sawyer Byers in San Diego, CA. He was the second son of Laud Stanley and Anna Rosalie Nelson Byers. His father was an explosives engineer and a part-time stock broker, and his family settled in Carmel, CA, just before WWII. By this time, Tom Sawyer had become Nelson Sawyer. Called into government service immediately after Pearl Harbor, Laud moved his family to Memphis, TN. There, he directed the conversion of a fireworks factory into an incendiary bombs factory. Some of the bombs were dropped a few months later in the James Doolittle raid on Tokyo. In late 1942, the family moved to Martinsburg, WV, where Laud built another munitions factory. There, the Daughters of the American Revolution gave Nelson their Award for Excellence in American History for a paper he wrote in elementary school on the state’s history. Shortly after his 14th birthday, he became an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm. At the war’s end, the family moved to Reno, NV, where Nelson began his sophomore year at Reno High School. He and the family moved back to Carmel in December of that year, and Nelson entered Carmel High School. Vice president of his senior class, Nelson graduated in June 1948. Nelson did well in high school despite not seeming to be very interested in academics. He was rarely seen studying except for a few hours before exams. He taught himself to pole vault, and he played quarterback on the school’s lightweight football team in 1947, his junior year, which won the district championship. Senior year, Nelson was a quarterback on the varsity team. A classmate described him thus: We’d just kicked off and were running full out down the field aiming our bodies at the guy with the ball. And we knew he was the biggest and best they had. Because I was also a track guy, I was leading the pack. And, boy, did that guy look big. Suddenly a body spurted out past me and hit the guy with a powerful, noisy smack of pads. Nelson! Where the heck had he come from? He wasn’t that fast. He wasn’t that tough. But he was. Nelson’s high school annual described him as “aggressive, capricious, [and] bug-happy.” By “bug,” they meant a hot rod. Nelson was a hotrod fanatic. He and his brother Roger rebuilt a Model A Ford roadster with a V-8 engine, an “AV8.” It was gold with blue leather seats, very fast — a sensation at high school. Nelson was a talented artist and draftsman, and he applied unsuccessfully to Draftsman School at Ft. Warren. When he received his second call from the draft board, he enlisted in the Air Force in November 1948. During basic training in Texas, he took the classification exam and got the highest possible score on each of the eight sections. His score qualified him for West Point, and an adviser told him he should switch from draftsman to intelligence, and he was subsequently assigned to the Intelligence Section, 1601st Military Air Transport Service, Brookley AFB, Mobile, AL. At the Air Force Intelligence School, Lowry AFB, Denver, CO, there were sixty-eight in the class, all sergeants except for PFC Byers. In August 1949, he graduated first in his class. In the meantime, Nelson was trying for a West Point appointment. He took the college equivalency exam and received credit for two years of college, which he said enhanced his USMA application. His family wrote to Nevada Congressman Walter Baring, who appointed Nelson in August 1949. Nelson attended the Preparatory School at Stewart AFB, Newburgh, NY and then entered the Academy 5 Jul 1950. Nelson’s short career as a cadet was exemplary. Plebe year he was selected to be acting commander of Company K-1 during the Christmas holidays, and his drawings in Military Topography and Graphics class were posted as examples of superior cadet work during the department’s Christmas open house. He was a member of the Debate Council and Howitzer Representative. He earned his numerals in the pole vault on the C Track Team. At each meet, he bettered his personal record, and most of the time he won or tied for first place. He also set a West Point record. At the end of Plebe year, he ranked sixth in his class of 718, was declared a Distinguished Cadet, and was appointed an Academic Coach. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Camilli, Francis Campbell (cadet) - Cadet Camilli was born December 03, 1929 and is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
DeVilbiss, Leonard G. III (cadet) - Leonard G. DeVilbiss III, better known to family and friends as Len or Lenny, was born on December 17, 1930 in San Francisco, CA to Leonard J. and Ida Wielen DeVilbiss. His twin brothers, Robert and Richard, were born two years later, and the family was completed two years after that with the birth of his brother Andy (ex-’58). The boys and their parents enjoyed an especially close relationship. When Len was seven the family moved north to the much smaller rural community of Sebastopol, CA. They lived in a trailer while Len’s father built their house. The family especially enjoyed the outdoor activities available in their new area, such as picnicking, picking fruit, and swimming. Len and his brothers Robert and Richard were cast to portray three of the five Sullivan brothers in a brief, early riverside scene in the 1944 film The Fighting Sullivans, a film about the famous brothers who perished during World War II when their ship was sunk by a Japanese submarine. Len had a very active youth, especially during his years at Analy High School. He was the school’s representative to California Boys State in 1947, attesting to his status as a top, all-around student and solid citizen. He was on the editorial staff of the high school yearbook (as well as its sales manager), participated in theater productions, and contributed to the success of the tennis team. His high academic success also merited him membership in the California Scholarship Federation. Additionally, Len was an Eagle Scout and assistant scoutmaster. Although his high school did not have a swimming team, Len developed into a fine swimmer by participating in competitive swimming at the local community Ives Pool. Following his high school graduation, Len studied for two years at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA. He was pre-law and was an outstanding member of the college’s championship swimming team, helping to set one or more meet records. In the spring of 1950, Len received an appointment to West Point from Congressman Hubert B. Scudder. Reporting along with his classmates on July 5, 1950, he was assigned to Company C-l, for which he continued his academic and swimming successes, becoming an academic coach and participating on the Plebe Swimming Team and the Water Polo Club. Len was interviewed for a long article in the area newspaper, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, while he was home on leave following plebe year. The article was titled “West Point ‘Great’ Says Sebastopol’s Cadet DeVilbiss,” and it told of his appreciation for being a cadet, an accomplishment that he considered “the fulfillment of a dream, something he had wanted ever since he was a little kid.” He said, “College was never like West Point...it will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year, and by now they’ve got it figured so that they take every minute of your time.” And he told about a cadet’s day, his not getting any leaves as a plebe, the subjects he had taken, and his goal of standing high in his class academically so that he might be commissioned in either the Corps of Engineers or the Airborne Infantry. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Glasbrenner, Karl Frederick Jr. (cadet) - Cadet Glasbrenner was born June 20, 1930 in Orange County, California, the son of Karl Frederick Glasbrenner Sr. (1903-1981) and Clara Glasbrenner (1904-1988). He is buried in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York.
Keiler, Ward Billings (cadet) - Cadet Keiler was born March 22, 1929. He is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
MacArthur, Kenneth John (cadet) - Kenneth John MacArthur was born on 9 Apr 1930, the only child of J.R. and Isabel MacArthur. We assume he spent his earlier years in San Francisco, CA. As a young man, Ken received some training as a draftsman, and he worked in this capacity with a California consulting firm. He received his West Point appointment from California Senator Sheridan Downey, and on 5 Jul 1950, he entered the Academy as a member of the Class of 1954. After Beast Barracks, Ken was assigned to Company L-1, his permanent company. He completed Plebe year without significant difficulties and ranked in the upper half of his class. The included photograph shows Ken in South Area ready for parade. At the beginning of Yearling year in September 1951, Ken had two L-1 roommates, Bill Wallace and Mike Drake. They remember Ken as a congenial roommate and somewhat of a joker with an appreciation for satire. His written work was exceptionally neat and structured. Ken had been an avid reader, especially of military history. He was quite knowledgeable about World War I and World War II. In conversation, he would often come up with little-known incidents that occurred during those wars.
Manning, Hilmar George (cadet) - Born November 21, 1928 in San Francisco County, California, he was the son of Brooks Manning (1906-1950) and Eleanor Louise Eichorn (Jeffries) (1905-1990). Cadet Manning is buried in Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery and Mausoleum in Santa Rosa, California.
Mastelotto, Maurice Joseph (cadet) - Maurice Joseph Mastelotto was born in Chico, CA, to a family of Swiss-Italian heritage. His family and hometown friends called him “Morse.” His grandfather had journeyed to America in the 1890s and prepared a place in Northern California for his sons, Mose and Joe, and daughters, Antoinetta and Nilda. Maurice’s father, Joe, married Margie Hayes, and they had three children — Virgil (who later served as a tailgunner in World War II), Virginia, and Maurice. Sadly, their mother Margie died when Maurice was only three years old. After his mother passed away, Maurice lived with his maternal grandmother, Alice Hayes, until he was seven years old. He then lived with his married sister Virginia and attended Verdi Grammar school for two years. His dad then placed Maurice with Maurice’s Uncle Mose, his wife and their seven sons. These seven cousins quickly became like brothers to Maurice. Maurice was bright, liked to read, and was capable, in a quiet sort of way. The eight “brothers” slept in a dormitory room, and Morse read a story out loud to them before bedtime each evening. When Maurice was eleven, his father remarried, and Mildred Brooke Mastelotto became a devoted stepmother to Morse. She recognized his intelligence and good temperament and made their house a good home in which to grow up. Maurice’s grades were good, and he spent his summers outdoors, working for his dad’s and uncle’s lumber business. Maurice worked as a “choke setter” — one of the workers who chained the logs to horses or tractors to be dragged to waiting railway cars or truck beds. Maurice’s stepmother was the superintendent of the local school district, and her love for Morse and faith in his potential became pivotal in his life. She steered him to Chico State College, where he made the boxing team and prepped for an appointment to West Point. Maurice was appointed to West Point by Congressman Hubert B. Scudder and entered in July 1950. Low key, steady, and bright, Maury made a positive impression on his G-2 classmates. We all liked and respected him. He made the Corps boxing team and played company football and water polo. He was happy to be a cadet and proud to be a West Pointer! He exhibited many qualities indicating that he would become an outstanding officer. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
McNeil, Guy Lewis Jr. (cadet) - Guy Lewis McNeil was born in Birmingham, AL, on 9 Jul 1931, the son of COL Guy Lewis McNeil and the late Claire M. McNeil. He entered the Academy with a Presidential appointment. As the son of an Air Force officer, Guy lived at various bases in this country and abroad. He attended primary schools in Japan and graduated from the Tokyo American School in Tokyo, Japan.
Melancon, William Everett Jr. (cadet) - William Everett Melancon, Jr., was a member of the Fall Class of 1946 at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco. He was born on October 2, 1928, to William Everett and Dorthy (Simmons) Melancon in Webster Grove, Missouri, a small town near St. Louise, Missouri. He was an only child. His father was born in Louisiana on January 22, 1902, and died in Sonoma County, California, on June 9, 1988. His mother, Dorothy, was born in Alaska on January 29, 1903, and died on October 26, 1983 in San Mateo County, California. He and his parents moved to San Francisco in 1941 and lived on 42nd Avenue in the Sunset District. He graduated from Lawton Grammar School. Upon graduating from the eighth grade, he entered Abraham Lincoln High School as a freshman in 1943. While in high school, in addition to academic courses, he enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps and subsequently rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. One of his out-of-school activities included being a member of Troop 37 of the Boy Scouts. While a scout, he became, after considerable work, a First Class Scout, and, at the same time, helped his friends achieve a similar rank. He was in the Eleventh Commencement Class of Abraham Lincoln High School and graduated on January 27, 1947. The 1946-1947 Roundup states the following about Bill Melancon: ". . . 'Coot' was an R.O. officer . . . ambition: to stay single . . .likes Model A's." Prior to graduating, he applied to and was accepted as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was scheduled to graduate from West Point in June 1952. While on a return flight to the Academy, he was killed when the plane crashed into a mountain in Arizona on December 30, 1951. He was interred on January 9, 1952, with his grandparents. Mr. & Mrs. Frederick S Simmons, at the Presidio of San Francisco National Cemetery in Section OS, Plot 96, Grave #6. [KWE Note: Source - Abraham Lincoln High School Website, San Francisco]
Pedrick, William Nelson (cadet) - Cadet Pedrick was born January 11, 1929, in Fresno County, California. He was to marry his fiance, Mary Ellen Butler, a Santa Cruz High School girls physical education instructor, after graduating in June. He is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
Perrin, Noel Sanders (cadet) - Noel Sanders Perrin's quest to follow his father in a military career with the Air Force ended tragically in an accident while Noel was a cadet. The USMA Class of 1930 class child, Noel was the first male child born to a graduate in the class. His father, Edwin S. Perrin, graduated with the Class of 1930 and within several days of graduation married Lorraine Boon of Newark, NJ. The elder Perrin’s first assignment was to flight training in Texas, where Noel was born 24 Jul 1931. Several months later, the family moved to March Field, CA, where Noel’s sister, Jane, was born on 2 Dec 1932. Noel and Jane enjoyed a close relationship throughout Noel’s life, and, as a cadet, Noel proudly told his classmates how attractive his sister was. In 1935, the Perrin family moved to Wright Field, OH, where they remained until 1942. While in Ohio, one of Noel’s and Jane’s playmates was Eddie White, who later became famous as an astronaut. Noel’s father was next assigned to Egypt, but the family remained in Ohio. Moves from Egypt to Java and Australia came rapidly, and in 1942, Edwin Perrin’s promotion to brigadier general made him the youngest general officer in the Army. When he returned to the United States, the family moved to Palo Alto, CA. Lorraine Perrin and the children remained in the Palo Alto area while BG Perrin made eleven changes of station in three hectic war years. Noel’s father died at Wright Field on 17 Nov 1946 from complications of dengue fever and malaria contracted in his tropical assignments. Noel attended the Palo Alto Military Academy from 1943 to 1946. The Superintendent, COL Kelly, described Noel as “one of the leading students, as well as a leader in sports.” Noel next attended the Montezuma School, where Mr. E.A. Rogers, school president, characterized Noel as “a consistently good student, attaining A and B grades. He is a boy of fine character and is president of the student body.” While attending the Montezuma School, Noel participated in track, basketball, riding, and played football as first string end. One of Noel’s favorite activities was horseback riding. Noel and Jane were befriended by Joe Greer, who was a grandfather figure for them. Joe taught Noel and Jane how to ride horses and how to feed and care for them. He also helped Noel find summer employment on a ranch. Eventually, Noel became proficient in rodeo events and won numerous ribbons. The income from his summer jobs and working in the Montezuma School dining room helped defray Noel’s school expenses and also helped him develop a good work ethic. In June 1949, after graduating from high school, Noel enrolled at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA, where he excelled in academics. Concurrently, he was attempting to obtain an appointment to USMA. COL Howard McCoy, USAF, a classmate of Noel’s father, took an active role in the quest for an appointment. In a letter to the USMA Academic Board, COL McCoy stressed Noel’s “burning ambition for an officer career” and of his “exceptional fitness to be a cadet.” Another family friend, GEN H.H. Arnold, USAF, wrote in a letter of recommendation, “Not only have I known Noel himself for many years, but I knew his father well, the late BG E. Perrin. . . . The boy has not only proved himself a credit to . . . a fine background, but . . . he gives every indication he will [accomplish much] through his own efforts.” Noel was successful in obtaining an appointment to USMA from the Honorable Chet Holifield of the 19th Congressional District of California, and he entered USMA on 5 Jul 1950. Classmates recall Noel as a very cheerful, upbeat person who made friends easily. With moderate effort, he ranked in the middle of his class academically. Noel enjoyed jazz music, and when he made infrequent trips to New York City, Noel visited Leon and Eddie’s, where his friend, jazz musician Eddie Condon, performed. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Roberts, Harry Kay Jr. (cadet) - Cadet Roberts was born December 29, 1929 in Portland, Oregon, a son of Harry Kay Roberts Sr. and Ellen Brownwell Roberts. His brother was David L. Roberts. Cadet Roberts is buried in Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona.
Rounds, Ronald E. - Ronnie was born in Inglewood, California, to Ronald F. and Alice (Frame) Rounds. It was a close-knit family; Ron was especially close to his sister Joanne. Before he entered high school, Rounds was president of the student body and editor of the school yearbook. He also was active in clubs, played centerfield in baseball and showed an interest in speech and dramatics. His father was a manager for Southern California Edison, and the family moved several times. Rounds’ first high school was in Porterville, CA, where he learned to fish, grow potatoes for pin money, and play football. The family then moved to Delano, CA, where he attended and graduated from Delano High School. Ron Rounds was an active member of his high school. He was an excellent student and played football and track. He was business manager of the school yearbook and, during his senior year, was president of the Masque and Gavel Club, a dramatics club. He also starred in the junior play, “Our Town.” During his formative years, he declared his ambition: “To put my footprints in the sands of time.” His friends said he was articulate, and he had impeccable posture that made him imposing and possibly heralded his attendance at the Point. Following graduation from high school, Ron ran in the West Coast Relays, attended Bakersfield College for electrical engineering, and joined the California National Guard. It seems that it may have been more apparent that war clouds were gathering in Southeast Asia and the Korean peninsula to those living on the West Coast. As it turned out, however, Ron missed the call-up for the Korean War by 32 miles. The 40th division was called up, but Ron’s division, the 49th, was not. Through a National Guard competitive appointment, Ron entered West Point. Ron Rounds began his life at West Point on 5 Jul 1950. He made it through Beast Barracks and was assigned by height to Company I-1, in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment. I-1 was the flanker company of the regiment’s runt battalion. There was a good measure of esprit de corps in this company, which was housed in South Area. During his year and a half at West Point, CDT Rounds’ life was routine. He was an excellent student and a budding “hive.” He often provided academic assistance to his less fortunate classmates, even upperclassmen. A classmate reported, “I do not say it lightly—Ronnie was a mathematical genius.” In an engineering course taught by COL “Archie” Higdon, who had also co-authored the course text, Ron revealed his potential. The assignment for the day involved memorizing a formula because its proof was beyond the scope of the text. CDT Rounds was so busy helping upperclassmen the night before, he did not look at the text, let alone memorize the key formula. Upon the command “Take Boards,” the rest of the section quickly wrote the formula on their board—all except CDT Rounds, who did not know it. When the rest of the section sat down, Rounds was trying to derive the formula on the blackboard. COL Higdon gave the class a “sshhh” sign and everybody watched the effort for what seemed like an eternity. Minutes before the bell rang, Ronnie put his eraser down and wrote the formula. COL Higdon put his arm on Ronnie’s shoulder and said, “Mr. Rounds, that is the finest example of academic genius that I have had the pleasure of witnessing. You accomplished in 40 minutes what it took Higdon and Styles days to derive and then two full written pages to present. Now, we shall have to rewrite our book!” Ron also helped in the Class of 1951 100th Nite Show and played intramural track and football. He joined the Radio Club so he could communicate with his sister Joanne, who was attending the University of California at Berkley. He also joined the Mormon (Latter Day Saints) church group at West Point. ( This proved to be a great comfort to his father after CDT Rounds’ unfortunate death.) [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Sharp, William Farnsworth - Born August 23, 1929 in Washington, D.C., he is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Wilson, Hugh Robert Jr. - Wilson was born in Alliance, OH, on 14 Apr 1930 to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Wilson. The family moved to Tulelake, CA, when Hugh was seven. He was active in the Boy Scouts, earning Eagle Scout and serving as a Junior Scoutmaster. Tulelake citizens remember his beautiful tenor voice and his athletic involvement in high school football, baseball, and basketball. Hugh was also active in several school clubs. His classmates from Tulelake still fondly remember his achievements and attitude. In 1948, he graduated as valedictorian. After graduation, Hugh attended Mount Union College in Alliance, OH, for two years before he received his appointment from California congressman Claire Engle to enter West Point. At Mount Union, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and the fraternity later established a Memorial Pledge Award in his honor. A scholarship fund in Tulelake was also established in his name. Hugh was admitted to the Academy on 5 Jul 1950 and, after surviving Beast Barracks, was assigned to Company I-2. Entering with two years of college under his belt, he had an easy time with academics and helped roommates with Plebe math and English. He participated in intramural lacrosse and swimming and was well liked by all. Hugh was looking forward to Christmas leave in 1951. Since entering West Point, he had not spent Christmas in California. He and 23 other cadets were able to get a ride on an Air Force C-47 from Stewart Field to Hamilton AFB in California. After relaxing at home, he made his way back to Hamilton from Tulelake in time to catch the return flight to Stewart. There were 19 cadets on the return flight; the remaining five had found other transportation. On 30 Dec 1951, as a result of bad weather and navigation problems, the C-47 hit the side of Armer Mountain at 6,500 feet. [KWE Note: Source - USMA1954.org]
Fatalities (civilians):
There were five. Names not yet found.
January 11, 1951 - #81429 - 3 miles southeast of Ogilby, CA
January 16, 1951 - #121830 - Atlantic Ocean
January 18, 1951 - #97166 - Atlantic Ocean - mid air collision with #96993
January 18, 1951 - #96993 - Atlantic Ocean - mid air collision with #97166
January 19, 1951 - 1Lt. Alfred Joseph Ward was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81333) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 12 aboard the USS Bataan (CVL-29). On January 19, 1951, while strafing enemy positions four miles south of Kumchon, North Korea, his aircraft was struck by small arms fire, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Ward was born February 17, 1923.
January 20, 1951 - Captain Alfred Hiram Agan was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#96756) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 12 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29). On January 20, 1951, During a bombing run on enemy positions, his aircraft was damaged by the explosion of his bombs. He crash-landed in the water one mile off shore and eleven miles south of Inchon, South Korea. Upon being rescued, he was found dead from exposure. Captain Agan was born July 06, 1919 in Chariton, Iowa, a son of Samuel Ainsworth Agan (1893-2965) and Alda M. Wilson Agan (2982-2975). He was married in 2945 to Mary Louise "Lou" Mann (later Morgan). His siblings were Maxine Rosalind Agan (1921-1995) and Donald Lee Agan (1928-1991). Captain Agan is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
January 23, 1951 - #122193 - 2 miles nnw Lant City, NJ
January 28, 1951 - DPAA: Lieutenant Junior Grade Marcus Paul Merner, who joined the U.S. Navy from California, served with Fighter Squadron 192 embarked aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On January 28, 1951, he piloted an F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 81806) that took off from the Princeton for a bombing mission over the port of Hungnam, North Korea. While over Hungnam, his aircraft was hit by small arms fire and lost oil pressure. Lieutenant Junior Grade Merner attempted a water landing, but his aircraft was seen to hit the water and sink immediately. Witnesses did not see LTJG Merner leave the aircraft before it went down. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful in locating him following the incident, and he remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Merner was born July 3, 1925, the son of Cathleen Brooks. He was a graduate of USNA Class of 1947. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
February 03, 1951 - 1Lt. Lawrence Henry Simmon Jr. was a member of the Air/Navy Gunfire Liaison Company, 1st Signal Battalion, 1st Marine Division. On February 3, 1951, he was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81717) from Marine Fighter Squadron 312, aboard the carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29) on a combat mission near North Pyongchong. His aircraft crashed into a ridge line. Lieutenant Simmon was born February 15, 1923 in California. His mother was Mrs. L.L. Simmon of Los Angeles, California. He was married with a daughter, Chris Simmon (later Jackson). Lieutenant Simmon is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.
February 06, 1951 - 1Lt. Thomas John Cochran was a pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29). On February 6, 1951, while on a combat mission eight miles northwest of Pyongtaek, South Korea, his aircraft (#82060) received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. Lieutenant Cochran was born February 2 5, 1924 in Bell, California, the son of William Cochran. His siblings included Mrs. Lyell Hildebrand and Donald Cochran. Lieutenant Cochran is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.
February 07, 1951 - Ens. George Alan Martin was the pilot of an F4-U Corsair (#80976) operating on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. He and his plane were lost when the Corsair catapulted off the deck. Ensign Martin was born December 13, 1928 in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of George Lexow Martin (1894-1982) and Marie Lissie Moseley Martin (1900-1977). His sister was Ruth M. Martin Wood (1922-2016).
February 10, 1951 - Ens. Harold Trolle was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#82131) with Fighter Squadron 193 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On February 10, 1951, while on a combat mission of bombing targets northwest of Inchon, South Korea, his aircraft stalled, crashed and exploded. Ensign Trolle was born September 27, 1928. His wife was Jacklyn Jane Trolle.
February 13, 1951 - #97260 - Mediterranean Sea
February 13, 1951 - DPAA: Ltjg. David Allen McCoskrie, who joined the U.S. Navy from Oregon, served with Composite Squadron 3 embarked aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV 45). On February 13, 1951, he took off from the Valley Forge piloting an F4U Corsair (bureau number 122496) on a dusk combat mission in the vicinity of Yontae-ri. He did not return to the Valley Forge, and was presumed to have crashed in enemy territory. A crash site was never found, and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Lieutenant McCoskrie was born February 13, 1925 in Oregon, the son of Leon Artie McCroskie (1890-1967) and Lucetta Frances Lansdon McCoskrie (1893-1966).
February 24, 1951 - Maj. Daniel Hill Davis was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#97008) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On February 24, 1951, while on a combat mission west of Hoengsong, South Korea, his aircraft lost its right wing, crashed and burned. Major Davis was born April 08, 1921. He was the recipient of a Silver Star.
February 26, 1951 - Capt. Joseph Oscar Lorenzo Stonelake was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81456) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29). On February 26, 1951, while engaged in carrier landing training at Pusan West Airfield (K-1), his aircraft crashed killing him. Captain Stonelake was born August 24, 1919 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, a son of Oscar Stonelake (1894-1919) and Minnie I. Martin Stonelake (later Ruddy) (1896-1983). He was married to Esther Lily Gerard (later Farris) (1923-2000). They had one son, Jeffrey Jay Stonelake (1948-2017). His sister was Fern Deloris Stonelake Granum (1923-2003) and his brother was Curtis Marvin Stonelakee (1921-1989).
March 09, 1951 - Ltjg. Baxter Hughes Cook was the pilot of a F4U-5N Corsair Night Fighter (#124502) with Composite Squadron 3 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On March 9, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft plunged into the sea. Coodinates cite 25 miles east southeast of Sinchang-ni at 39.95 N and 128.93 E. Lieutenant Cook was born April 29, 1922 in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of Harvey Hughes Cook (1889-1961) and Alma Josephine Brasiere Cook (1895-1989). He was married to Juanita Wash Cook. His sisters were Frances B. Cook Hayes (1919-2014) and Josephine Cook Harper (1929-2919). Lieutenant Cook was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
March 10, 1951 - DPAA: Ensign William Earnest Patton entered the U.S. Navy from California and served with Fighter Squadron 192, embarked aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On March 10, 1951, he piloted a single-seat F4U-4 Corsair (81581) ) that launched from the Princeton as a part of a multi-aircraft interdiction mission against enemy targets in northeastern North Korea. The flight reached the target area near Pukch'ong and began their attack. During his run, Ensign Patton's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded. His flight leader momentarily saw a parachute streaming alongside the falling aircraft, but soon lost sight of it due to thick haze and heavy anti-aircraft fire, and reported that he was not sure if Ensign Patton's parachute managed to clear the stricken aircraft or was caught up in the wreckage. The flight leader then conducted several passes over the crash site but saw no sign of Ensign Patton. Search and rescue efforts began immediately but were also unsuccessful, and Ensign Patton is still unaccounted for. Ensign Patton was born April 18, 1927 in San Diego County, California, the son of William Rankin Patton (1876-1970) and LaVerne Lydia Harrison Patton (born 1895). His siblings were Elizabeth Ann Patton Dewitt (1919-2002) and Marion Patton Larmon. Ensign Patton was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
March 11, 1951 - Capt. Leon John Bernal Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81390)with the Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On March 11, 1951, while on a combat mission of attacking enemy vehicles, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. Leon was born January 26, 1921, in St. Louis, Missouri, a son of Leon John Bernal Sr. (1890-1975) and Gebina Elizabeth Post Bernal (1890-1971). He was married to Jane Tillman Bernal, and they had a six-month-old son, James Robert Bernal, whom Captain Bernal had never seen. Leon's siblings were Norman George (1925-2015) and Raymond Stephen (1932-2017).
March 12, 1951 - #96927 - El Toro, CA
March 14, 1951 - 2Lt. John Timothy Fitzgerald was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#63036) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On March 14, 1951, while making a strafing run near Chunchon, South Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. He was killed in action five days after arriving in Korea. Lieutenant Fitzgerald was born October 13, 1928 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the son of J.D. Fitzgerald. He was married to Doris Joan Whitehead Fitzgerald. Lieutenant Fitzgerald enlisted on June 28, 1946. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
March 19, 1951 - DPAA: Ens. Richard Charles Loomer, who joined the U.S. Navy from Iowa, served with Fighter Squadron 24 embarked aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On March 19, 1951, piloting an F4U4 Corsair (bureau number 81186) he departed the Valley Forge on a combat mission over Kojo, North Korea. He was last seen at an altitude of about 200 feet strafing the target, but he never rejoined his flight. An extensive air and sea search was conducted but a crash site was never found, and ENS Loomer was not seen again. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Ensign Loomer was born February 02, 1928 in Iowa, a son of Herbert Duane Loomer (1893-1974) and Clara Beatrice Massy Loomer (1893-1985). His brothers were Denver Duane Loomer (1917-1984) and Edward E. Loomer (1921-1921).
March 24, 1951 - Maj. Scott George Gier was the pilot of a F4U-5 Corsair fighter (#121911) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On March 21, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and he was forced to ditch the aircraft in enemy territory. Efforts to rescue him were thwarted by enemy small arms fire. His remains were not recovered. Major Gier was survived by his wife and two children (one of whom was Scott George Gier Jr). Major Gier was born December 30, 1918 in Illinois, the son of George S. Gier (1881-1933) and Vila M. Mourning Gier (1892-1986). He had two sisters, one of whom was Lenora Kathryn "Nonie" Gier McCollom (1923-2008).
April 03, 1951 - #121846 - Mediterranean Sea
April 4, 1951 - Lieutenant Colonel Donald Paul Frame was the pilot of an F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#82069) and the Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12 aboard carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29). On April 4, 1951 while on a combat mission near Hwangju, North Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire. He bailed out ten miles north of Sariwon, but apparently struck the plain's tail section. Upon recovery, he died enroute to Seoul. Donald was born February 25, 1917 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was married to Lois Marie KIrkpatrick (later West) (1915-2011), and they had one son, James Donald Frame (1942-2024), who was nine years old when his father died in the crash.
April 05, 1951 - MSgt. Floyd Emmerson Compton was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#63068) with Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On April 5, 1951, while on a combat mission two miles south of Kyesong-ni, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded in mid-air. Sergean Compton was born September 19, 1923. He was married to Elizabeth A. Line Compton (1924-1989) and they had a son, Robert Emmerson Compton (1947-209).
April 5, 1951 - Ens. Maurice Alfred Tuthill was living in Stuttgart, Arkansas when he enlisted and was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#96923) with Fighter Squadron 113, aboard the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On April 5, 1951, while on a combat mission over North Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and he died from the wounds received. Ensign Tuthill was awarded the 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 and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. He was a son of William Warren Tuthill (1896-1968) and Nellie Averil Shut Tuthill (1894-1984). Ensign Tuthill was the brother of Warren Edward Tuthill (1922-2003). Born October 20, 1928 in Stuttgart, Arkansas, Alfred is buried in Lone Tree Cemetery, Stuttgart.
April 07, 1951 - 2Lt. Alan Beers was the pilot of a F4U-5 Corsair fighter (#121931) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On April 7, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed north of the Imjin River just south of the 38th Parallel. Lieutenant Beers was born March 02, 1927, the son of Samuel Beers. He is b uried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Brooklyn.
April 07, 1951 - DPAA: Ltjg. Harold Thomas Walker, who joined the U.S. Navy from Missouri, served with Carrier Air Group 101 embarked aboard the USS Boxer (CVA 21). On April 7, 1951, he departed the Boxer piloting an F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 81469) to participate in an attack on enemy installations near the mouth of the Puktae Ch'on River in North Korea. During the attack, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire. He radioed his flight leader that his aircraft was losing power and oil pressure, and turned toward the coast. Shortly thereafter, his aircraft entered a cloud bank at about 1,000 feet above sea level. This was the last time LTJG Walker or his aircraft were seen. The crash was not observed by the other pilots on the mission, and although an extensive search was conducted for LTJG Walker and his aircraft, the crash site was never located. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
April 13, 1951 - #123160 - East River, New York
April 13, 1951 - Capt. Robert Wilson Lebo was the pilot of an F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97427) with Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On April 13, 1951, while on an armed reconnaissance mission at low altitude, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. Captain Lebo was born April 17, 1921, the son of Victor Raymond Lebo (1897-1962) and Margaret Ann Hoffman Lebo (1900-1980). He was married to Marie Haines and they had a son, Kim, age eight years old. His sister was Lois Lebo Eplett. Captain Lebo served in the Pacific during World War II. He died four days befoe his 30th birthday. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
April 13, 1951 - Capt. John Edgar Van Housen was the pilot of an F4U-5NL Corsair (#124512) night fighter with Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On April 14, 1951, while on a combat mission of bombing enemy targets 15 miles northeast of Pyongyang, North Korea, his aircraft was damaged by a blast from a bomb and crashed 10 miles north of Chorwon. Night armed recon mission. Captain Van Housen was born September 08, 1921, the son of Merle John Van Housen (1892-1961) and Carolyn B. Scottlekorb Van Housen (1894-1992). His daughter was Jane Brose. Captain Van Housen attended San Jose State College before entering the military in Februaryof 1942. Captain Van Housen is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery.
April 14, 1951 - 2Lt. James Albert Gleaves Jr. was a pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#62996) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On April 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire. He bailed out near Kwangdong-ni, Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on March 17, 1954. Lieutenant Gleaves was born on September 09, 1925, the son of James Albert Gleaves Sr. (1901-1973) and Elizabeth L. Gleaves (1907-1987). He servede in Okinawa during World War II. Lieutenant Gleaves was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
April 16, 1951 - 2Lt. Jack Norton Ballmer was a pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81885) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On April 16, 1951, while on a combat mission of striking an enemy supply dump in a flight of two, his aircraft crashed killing him. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Ballmer was born March 13, 1927, the son of Norton Franklin Ballmer (1899-1973) and Nelle Esther Lesher Ballmer (1902-1981). His siblings were Susan Ballmer Dunn and Mary Ann Ballmer Delp.
April 18, 1951 - Lt. Alfred William Clement Thomas was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81601) with Fighter Squadron 114 (884) aboard the carrier USS Boxer (CV-21). On April 18, 1951, while attacking targets near Hamhung, North Korea, his aircraft hit a power line and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Thomas was born September 17, 1918, the son of F.A. Thomas. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
April 21, 1951 - Ens. Richard Marshall Ruppenthal served as the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81942) with Fighter Squadron 192 aboard the carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On April 21, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and its engine lost oil pressure. It ditched at DU 1303. Helicopter rescue could not locate him. His remains were not recovered. Ensign Ruppenthal was born April 27, 1928, a son of Lester Theodore Ruppenthal (1902-1959) and Viola Snyder Marshall Ruppenthal (1904-1984). He was married to Edna Lois Thaxton (later Buergler) (1927-2013) in 1950. His siblings were Theodore H. Ruppenthal (1927-2004), Norma Jean Ruppenthal Sherrard (1929-2024), Barbara Ruppenthal Jones, and Elizabeth Ruppenthal Miller. Ensign Ruppenthal was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
April 22, 1951 - Maj. Charles Irwin "Charlie" Rice Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#97029) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On April 22, 1951, while on a combat mission of attacking enemy troop positions, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, it burst into flames, its wing folded over and it crashed. His remains were not recovered. Major Rice was born October 04, 1922, the son of Charles Irwin Rice Sr. (1886-1967) and Mildred Cornell Rice (1890-1972). He was married to Betty Helen McCausland (later Van Wetering) (1923-2006). They were parents of four children: Charles Irwin "Tippy" Rice III, Lincoln McCausland Rice, Kenneth Hadfield Rice and Ruth Lindsay Rice. Major Rice was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
April 22, 1951 - Capt. William John "Jack" Rainalter was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#97225) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12 aboard the USS Bataan (CVL-29). On April 22, 1951, during a strike on Sariwon air strip, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Captain Rainalter was born August 08, 1922, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Ulrich John Rainalter Sr. (1894-1969) and Dorothy Walker Rainalter (1896-1967). His sister was Dorothy Mae Rainalter Baker (1919-1996) and his brother was Ulrich J. Rainalter Jr. Captain Rainalter was shot down in World War II in the Leyte Gulf in 1944 and was the recipient of a Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Air Medal.
April 22, 1951 - DPAA: Lt. Albert Rowe Tiffany entered the U.S. Navy from New York and served with Composite Squadron 3, embarked aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On April 22, 1951, he piloted a single-seat F4U-5N Corsair (bureau number unknown) that launched from the Princeton on a combat mission against enemy targets south of Wonsan, North Korea. This mission included close air strikes in support of ground troops in the Kumhwa and Hwachon Reservoir areas of northern South Korea, and interdiction strikes around Hamhung, Yonghung, and Wonsan. During one of these interdiction strikes south of Wonsan, LT Tiffany's aircraft received a direct hit from enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed and burned. A search later conducted by a rescue helicopter found aircraft wreckage scattered over a wide area, but no sign of LT Tiffany. He was never reported as a prisoner of war and he has not been associated with any remains later recovered or returned to U.S. custody. Lieutenant Tiffany was born May 04, 1924, the son of L.H. Tiffany. Lieutenant Tiffany was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
April 24, 1951 - Ens. Clarence Edward "Sonny" West was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81146) with Fighter Squadron 63, aboard the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On April 24, 1951, after making a strafing run on a target in North Korea, His aircraft crashed into a mountain near Hwacheon Reservoir. Ensign West was awarded the Air Medal with Gold Leaf, the 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 and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Ensign West was born October 04, 1927 in Boyne City, Michigan, a son of Albert Sherley West (1905-1967) and Leta Belle Russ West (1908-1973). His siblings were Clarence Edward West (1927-1951), Keith M. "Babe: West (1929-1990), Lyle Raymond West (1934-2017) and Eleanor Ruth West Stradling. Ensign West graduated from Boyne City High School in 1945 where he was a star athlete. He enlisted in the Navy in 1945. Ensign West was the recipient of a Silver Star.
April 29, 1951 - Ens. Thomas Clarence "Tom" Biesterveld - On April 29, 1951, while on a combat mission over North Korea, a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#97195) with Fighter Squadron 193 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). was struck by anti-aircraft fire and he parachuted safely to the ground about four miles east of the Hwachon Reservoir. He was taken Prisoner of War and died while a prisoner. Ensign Bieserveld was born on December 17, 1928 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a son of John William "Jack" Biesterveld (1888-1954) and Marion Catherine Wallace Biesterveld (1891-1954). His siblings were Helen Jeanette Biesterveld Jump (1913-1984), Marion Catherine Biesterveld Smith (1915-1990), William John Biesterveld (1917-1983), Dorothy Lucille Biesterveld Davis (1919-1994), Rose E. Biesterveld Skoug (1922-1970), Robert C. Biesterveld (1924-1982), Bernice Marie Biesterveld Barka Schlosser (1926-2005), and John Richard Biesterveld (1931-2006). Ensign Biesterveld was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Gold Star.
April 29, 1951 - 1Lt. Earl Frederick Patrick - While on a reconnaissance mission, a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#62967) with Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12 was hit in the wing root by enemy ground fire, crippling it and causing it to crash. Flight originated from K-1 Airfield. His body was recovered and then buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Lieutenant Patrick was born May 16, 1922 in Buffalo, New York, a son of Edward F. Patrick (1888-1924) and Emma M. Jennings Patrick (1885-1933). His sibings were Charlotte M. Patrick Cramer (1916-1983) and Edwin John Patrick (1918-1995).
April 30, 1951 - DPAA: First Lieutenant James Lowman Frazier, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Illinois, served with Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12. On April 30, 1951, he piloted an F4U4-B Corsair (bureau number 62954) on a combat mission to North Korea. During the mission, his aircraft was hit by small arms fire and crashed into a ridge, exploding and burning on impact. Witnesses stated that the crash was not survivable, and since it occurred in enemy territory a ground search was not possible. First Lieutenant Frazier's remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire, and he is still unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Frazier was born February 02, 1925 in Louisiana, a son of Dr. Shervert Hughes Frazier Sr. (1891-1977) and Mary W. Lowman Frazier (1897-1960). He was married to Carla June Cummins (later Cape Sullivan) (1927-2015) in 1940 and they had a daughter Connie Frazier, age 22 months when he died. His siblings were Shervert Hughes Frazier Jr. (1921-2015) and Mary Louise Frazier Maness (1922-2012). Lieutenant Frazier was the recipient of a Silver Star.
May 08, 1951 - #97445 - DPAA: Maj. Nolan Aldaine Green entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Texas and served with Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On May 8, 1951, he piloted an F4U-4B Corsair (bureau number 97445) that took off on a combat mission against enemy targets at Tuch’on-ni, Korea. During the mission, Major Green was making a run on a ground target when his Corsair received a direct hit from enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed. Prior to the crash, an open parachute was seen emerging from the aircraft, but witnesses then lost visual contact with it; there was no communication with Capt Green after the loss of his aircraft and it is unknown whether he parachuted to the ground successfully. A search for him was not possible since the area was under enemy control. He was never reported as a prisoner of war or identified among remains later returned to U.S. custody, and he is still unaccounted-for. Captain Green was born December 19, 1921, a son of Ralph Judson Green (1886-1938) and Carrie Elizabeth Blount Green (1886-1938). His siblings were Wayne Harold Green (1908-1995) and Raymond Julian Green (1913-1972). He was the recipient of an Air Medal with one Gold Star.
May 18, 1951 - Lt. Horace Melvin Hawkins was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81709) with Fighter Squadron 871, aboard the carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On May 18, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. VF 871, first casualty of his squadron. Lieutenant Hawkins was born July 10, 1920 in Denver, Colorado, the son of Milo Hawkins (1883-1962) and Georgia Hawkins (1897-1966). He was married to Betty Lou Hawkins. His sister was Phyllis Hawkins sHannigan (1923-1971). He is buried in East Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, California.
May 18, 1951 - On this date, F4-U (#97440) was being piloted by 1Lt. Neal Richard Ewing when the aircraft's napalm tank was hit by ground fire near the Choyang River and exploded. Lieutenant Ewing was born Occtober 05, 1920 in Denver, Colorado, the son of Paul Richard Ewing (1891-1973) and May Margaret Judd Ewing (1893-1968). He was married to Averill Maurine Mahl (1926-2010) and they had a son, Richard Kent Ewing (1947-2020). Captain Ewing is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
May 18, 1951 - Lieutenant Charles Garrison (born March 10, 1920, Adrian, Bates County, Missouri) was a veteran of World War II, serving in the European and Pacific Theaters. In Korea he was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#96918) with Fighter Squadron 114 (884) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21). On May 18, 1951, as he was working with a ground controller, his aircraft was hit by small arms fire. He tried to parachute but struck the tail assembly. He landed and was taken prisoner. He was presumed dead on May 24, 1954. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Garrison was married to his high school sweetheart, Enid Nichols, in October 1943. They were parents of two daughters, Karen Garrison Malan and Janis Garrison Curran. Lieutenant Garrison served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Boxer. He remained in the Navy until 1947, when he returned to Adrian to help on the family farm. He was recalled to service during the Korean War.
May 18, 1951 - First Lieutenant Walter Jung (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was a veteran of World War II. In Korea he was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#63027) with Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On May 18, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. First Lieutenant Jung was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Lieutenant Jung was born February 16, 1924.
May 18, 1951 - Ltjg. Marion Thomas Dragastin was the pilot of an F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 884 operating from the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CVA-21). On May 18, 1951, Dragastin was flying as a wingman for Lieutenant Charles Garrison, when Garrison's plane was hit by ground fire. As Garrison parachuted to the ground, Dragastin flew cover for him until his own aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. Dragastin was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. Lieutenant Dragastin was born on December 29, 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas, a son of Nicholas "Miko" Dragastin (1895-1982) and Catherine "Katie" Rahija Dragastin (1902-1989). His siblings were Frederick James "Fred" Dragastin (1923-1992), Helen Mary Dragastin Lynch (1925-1996) and Sigmund Dragastin. Lieutenant Dragastin is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas. Lieutenant Dragastin was the recipient of the Navy Cross.
May 19, 1951 - Ltjg. William Robert Ball Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#97146) with Fighter Squadron 63, aboard the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On May 19, 1951, while on a combat mission 14 miles northeast of Hongchon, North Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. He bailed out but appeared dead upon landing. Lieutenant Ball was born July 14, 1923, the son of William Robert Ball Sr. He was married to Carolyn E. Ball.
May 20, 1951 - Capt. William Earnest Lesage was the pilot of a F4U-5NL Corsair night fighter (#1244531) with Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On May 20, 1951, while on a combat mission of destroying vehicles near Yanggu, his aircraft crashed and burst into flames.- Captain Lesage was born on August 29, 1921. He was married to Elizabeth Louise Lesage (1923-1991) and they had a daughter Claudia Irene Lesage Slocum (1944-2023). Captain Lesage had at least one sister.
May 23, 1951 - #92128 - Grosse Ile, MI (11 mi. e)
May 24, 1951 - Lieutenant Commander Glenn Frye Carmichael (Columbia, Missouri) was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81788) and the commander of Fighter Squadron 144 (884) aboard the carrier USS Boxer (CV-21). On May 24, 1951, while leading a close air support mission, his aircraft was hit by an anti-aircraft shell fragment. He bailed out and struck the tail assembly. He died shortly after rescue from the injuries received. Lieutenant Commander Carmichael was awarded the 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 and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Glenn was born June 12, 1919, in Union Star, Missouri, a son of George Carson Carmichael (1891-1965) and Mary Shannon Frye Carmichael (1892-1974). In 1943 he was married to Dona Jean Anderman (1920-1970), and they had sons Patrick Glenn "Pat" Carmichael (1948-2018) and Michael E. Carmichael. Lieutenant Commander Carmichael's brother was John Thomas Carmichael Sr. (1921-1969). Glenn is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.
May 28, 1951 - 1Lt. Austin Edwin Eugene Brenneman was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#82165) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12 aboard the carrier USS Bataan(CVL-29). On May 28, 1951, while on an armed reconnaissance mission one mile east of Anak, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered.- Lieutenant Brenneman was born November 05, 1920 in Michigan, a son of Rev. Grover Cleveland Brenneman (1886-1976) and Vesta Fern Switzer Brenneman (1887-1969). His siblings were Earle Ruskin Brenneman (1909-1993), Patricia Marie Brenneman Augustine (1927-2006) and Hugh W. Brenneman.
May 29, 1951 - Ltjg. James Blanding "Jimmy" Dick Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81030) with Fighter Squadron 64, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On May 29, 1951, while on a combat mission over North Korea, his aircraft accidentally struck a friendly aircraft (F4-U #81842) and crashed. His remains were recovered and he is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Auburn, Alabama. Lieutenant Dick was born July 20, 1926 in Greenwood, Mississippi, a son of James Blanding Dick Sr. (1895-1975) and Velma Darby Dick (1903-1945). His siblings were Susan Esther Dick Clpton (1925-1994) and Miles Darby Dick (1929-2010). His stepbrother was John Blanding. He was married to Mary K. "Jerry" Dick and they had a daughter Hollie.
May 29, 1951 - Ens. Raymond William Murphy was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81842) with Attack Squadron 115, aboard the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). On May 29, 1951, while on a combat mission near Chang-ni, North Korea, his aircraft accidentally struck another F4U-4 (#81030), crashed and exploded. His remains were recovered and he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Ensign Murphy was born March 06, 1928, the son of Harry T. Murphy.
June 01, 1951 - #124542 - El Centro, CA
June 03, 1951 - Lt. Eugene Daniel Redmond entered the U.S. Navy from California and was assigned to Fighter Squadron 783, embarked aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). On the morning of June 3, 1951, he piloted a single-seat F4U-4 Corsair (#80947) that was preparing to depart from the Bon Homme Richard while the ship was in the Sea of Japan, about forty miles off the eastern coast of South Korea. Lieutenant Redmond launched from the deck, but immediately after taking off his Corsair was observed to stall and spin into the sea, approximately 300 feet off the ship?s starboard bow. A helicopter was flying near the ship on plane guard duty hovered over the crash location, but by the time it reached the site Lieutenant Redmond's Corsair was already submerged, and the aircraft reportedly sank in less than a minute after hitting the water. Continued search and rescue operations were unsuccessful in locating Lieutenant Redmond after the crash, and his remains were never recovered. Lieutenant Redmond was born January 06, 1921 in California, a son of Vilas Blair Redmond (1896-1957) and Agnes K. Coffey Redmond (1900-1974). In 1945 he married former Navy nurse Mary Katherine Karbus (later Reep) (1919-2015) and they had a son Wayne Redmond. His brother was John Vilas Redmond (1919-2006). Lieutenant Redmond was a World War II ace with over nine victories and was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and and Air Medal.
June 11, 1951 - #87811 - 2 mi. w. Monroe, MI.
June 11, 1951 - #1219___ - Mediterranean Sea
June 11, 1951 - #124544 - Pacific Ocean
June 16, 1951 - #97392 - Crashed during a combat mission.
June 16, 1951 - 1Lt. Franklyn Hall Stratton was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97396) with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing that operated out of the USS Bataan (CVL-29) aircraft carrier. On June 16, 1951, while on a combat mission near Oktong-ni, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and he bailed out at low altitude. He is listed as missing in action. Lieutenant Stratton was born September 30, 1924. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with a Gold Star and an Air Medal with 13 Gold Stars. There is a marker for him in Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.
June 17, 1951 - Captain Bigelow Watts Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#96762) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 323, aboard the carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118). On June 17, 1951, upon returning from a combat air patrol, his aircraft was waved off as he tried to land. The aircraft crashed into the Yellow Sea and sank immediately. His remains were not recovered. The son of Bigelow Watts Sr. and Helen Spader Watts, he has a marker in Arlington National Cemetery. Captain Watts was born August 03, 1923 in Manhattan, New York, the son of Bigelow Watts Sr. and Helen Watts. He attended Saint Paul's School, Harvard (one-half year) and was an aviation cadet at the University of North Carolina. He was married to Cynthia Landon and they had two daughters, Jennifer and Priscilla Watts.
June 19, 1951 - 1Lt. Harry Allen Boenig was the pilot of an F4-U fighter (#97134) that caught fire and crashed into a wooded area near Craven, North Carolina. Lieutenant Boenig was born April 25, 1924 in Texas, the son of Harry Christian Boenig (1895-1971) and Addie Lee Allen Boenig (1903-1979). His siblings were Joyce Alleene Boenig Christensen (1922-2011) and Shirley Ann Boenig Richarz (1935-2011). Lieutenant Boenig is buried in LaRosa Cemetery, Woodsboro, Texas.
June 20, 1951 - Ltjg. Paul Laverne Schaefer was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (80824) with Fighter Squadron 114 (884) aboard the carrier USS Boxer (CV-21). On June 20, 1951, during a strafing attack three miles south of Songjin, North Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in shallow water. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Schaefer was born May 23, 1924 in Illinois. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
June 20, 1951 - Lieutenant Royce Carruth (Texas) was a pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81747) with Fighter Squadron 821 aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On June 20, 1951, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded near Sinpyong, Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on May 21, 1954. Lieutenant Carruth was born Maay 1, 1921, the son of William Walter Carruth (1886-1970) and Della Dalton Wood Carruth (1885-1987). His siblings were Iva Doris Carruth Jennings (1911-1998) and Eula Mae Carruth Campbell (1918-2003).
June 25, 1951 - #81107 - Whitehouse Field, FL
June 29, 1951 - #97318 - El Centro, CA
July 04, 1951 - DPAA: Ltjg. Arthur Lionel Dixon joined the U.S. Navy from California and was a member of VF-783, Carrier Air Group 102, embarked aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). On July 4, 1951, he piloted an F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 97239) on a combat mission. On his return flight, as he approached the Bon Homme Richard, LTJG Dixon's aircraft stalled, went into a spin, and crashed into the sea. LTJG Dixon was still aboard the F4U-4 when it crashed and sank, and search and rescue efforts failed to retrieve him. He has not been associated with any remains returned to U.S. custody after the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Dixon was born March 10, 1923 in Monterey Park, California. He was the father of daughter Candice Louise Dixon (Thomson-Bott) and son Arthur Scott Dixon.
July 10, 1951 - 2Lt. James Jordan Prior was the pilot of a F4U-5 Corsair fighter (#121982) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On July 10, 1951, while on a combat mission under severe weather conditions, his aircraft crashed near Chechon, South Korea. Lieutenant Prior was born on March 01, 1926, a son of Arthur William Prior (born 1886) and Marguerite Adele Purcell Prior (1891-1964). Lieutenant Prior, who is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California, was one of eight children.
July 13, 1951 - 1Lt. Arnold Eugene Olson (POW) Captain, F4U-5N Corsair (Night Fighter) pilot, Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing [VMF(N)-513, MAG12, 1ST MAW], U.S. Marine Corps; Korea. Following a July 13, 1951 combat mission, near Namchon-jon, Korea, contact was lost with the Corsair (#1224518) and an explosion was heard, Captain Olson was Missing in Action. He was taken Prisoner of War and died in a prison camp on October 25, 1951. His remains were recovered in 1954 and he was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Lieutenant Olson was born November 14, 1925 in Black River Falls, the son of Chris Olson (1889-1977) and Anna Thompson Olson (1889-1963). His sister was Kathleen Mary Olson Ohm (1922-1998).
July 13, 1951 - Captain William Knox Garmany (born April 9, 1923 in Hamilton County, Tennessee) was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of an F4U-5N Corsair night fighter (#124518) with the Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On July 13, 1951, while flying a combat mission over the Sibyon-ni Area, South Korea, contact with his aircraft was lost and he was listed as Missing in Action. He was presumed dead on December 15, 1953. Captain Garmany was the son of Ralph Parks Garmany (1891-1954) and Lucy Alma Blancit Garmany (1891-1971).
July 19, 1951 - Maj. Edwin James Hernan Jr. was the pilot of an F4U-5N Corsair night fighter (#124530) with the Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On July 19, 1951, while on a combat mission northwest of Masan-ni, Korea, his aircraft crashed and burned. Original casualty files had him with last name of Herman. Major Hernan was born September 16, 1920 in Dallas, Texas, the son of Edwin James Hernan Sr. (1885-1926) and Ellen Ruth Bruce Herron Hernan (1895-1958). His sister was the famous model Katherryn Francis Hernan McCauliff (1918-2004). Major Hernan attemded St. Joseph's in Dallas and then Texas A & M. He volunteered for Marine aviation on February 19, 1942 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Major Hernan is buried in Calvary Hill Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.
July 22, 1951 - Lt. Frank Martin III - DPAA: Lieutenant Frank Martin III, who joined the U.S. Navy from Idaho, served with the Fighter Squadron 871 embarked aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On July 18, 1951, he piloted an F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 82074) on a night visual combat mission over North Korea. Ten miles northeast of Kumho, his aircraft failed to clear a ridge and crashed. The napalm aboard the aircraft exploded instantly, and the crash was believed to be non-survivable. Lieutenant Martin was not seen again. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Lieutenant Martin was born October 18, 1 921 in Idaho, the son of Frank Martin II.
July 22, 1951 - Ens. John Peter Moody Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 871 aboard the carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On July 22, 1951, while on a combat mission two miles east of Kumsong, North Korea, his aircraft (#96834) was struck by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burned. Ensign Moody was born August 11, 1924, one of six children born to John Peter Moody Sr. (1893-1989) and Rosalia Oreana Martin Moody (1896-1987). He was married to Melva Orrin Moody. His siblings were Rose Marie Moody Johnson Stein (1920-2011), William Moody, Fran Moody Sundstrom, Jean Moody Strang, and Rita Moody Waller. Ensign Moody is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
July 24, 1951 - Captain Byron McQuady Burbage Jr. entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Florida and was assigned to Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing, embarked aboard the USS Sicily (CVE-118). On July 24, 1951, he piloted a single-seat F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 382032) that launched from the Sicily as the lead of four aircraft on an interdiction mission against an enemy gun emplacement in southwestern North Korea. After the flight took an initial run at the target, Capt Burbage directed the group to stand by while he made a low-level pass to assess the results. Soon after, he radioed to report that he saw a cave and was going to investigate it for potential enemy presence. He entered a strafing run towards the cave; however, instead of climbing out of the run, his aircraft was observed to roll steeply and onto its back and then impact a small hill, where it immediately exploded and burned. One of the other aircraft on the mission made several low passes over the crash site but saw no indication that Capt Burbage had survived, and he was not witnessed to bail out of his aircraft prior to the crash. Further attempts to locate or recover him or his remains were unsuccessful. Today, Captain Burbage 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. Captain Burbage was born July 16, 1922 in Florida, the son of Byron McQuady Burbage Sr. (born 1902) and Lois Ethel Powers Burbage (born 1905). His daughter, Bettie Louise Burbage, was five years old at the time of the crash. Captain Burbage was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
July 26, 1951 - #92611 - Toledo Municipal Airport, Ohio
July 26, 1951 - #121988 - Cecil Field, FL
July 27, 1951 - Captain Jeremiah David Shanahan was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97404) with Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On July 27, 1951, while on bombing mission over North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 15, 1953. His remains were not recovered. Captain Shanahan was born January 09, 1923. His wife was Pauline Brush Shanahan (1920-2011) and they had two children, Sara Ann and Michael David.
July 30, 1951 - Capt. Harold Paul Hintz was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#63064) with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On July 30, 1951, while on a combat mission near Pyongyang, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, struck a U.S. Naval aircraft, and crashed. He was taken Prisoner of War and died in a prison camp on November 16, 1951. His remains were not recovered. Graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Harold was born July 06, 1924 in Elmwood Park, Illinois, a son of Harold Paul Hintz Sr. (1898-1974) and Ruth Sophia Sandahl Hintz (1905-1971). His siblings included Edward R. Hintz (1928-1989), Charles F. Hintz and William Hintz.
July 30, 1951 - Ltjg. Donald Vaughan Ray was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81877) with Fighter Squadron 821, aboard the carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). On July 30, 1951, shortly after take-off and during a rendezvous with his flight, his aircraft spun, stalled, crashed into the water and exploded. Ltjg. Donald Vaughan Ray was born August 16, 1922, a son of John Alexander Ray (1893-1971) and Sally Lee "Sallie" Vaughan Whittington (1900-1990). His siblings were Frank Jethro Ray (1924-1970), Mildred Ray, Virginia L. Ray Cain (1932-1999). Lieutenant Ray is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, McComb, Mississippi.
July 30, 1951 - Lieutenant Colonel Harry William Reed (USMC) was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#62944) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On July 30, 1951, while on a combat mission near Pyongyang, North Korea, another F4U-4B was hit by anti-aircraft fire, went out of control and struck his aircraft, causing it to crash. Lieutenant Colonel Reed was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal. LIeutenant Reed was born March 20, 1913 in Cameron, Ohio. His body was returned in 1955 and he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
July 31, 1951 - #96805 - Camp Pendleton, CA
August 4, 1951 - Lieutenant Junior Grade Henry Brownell Rathbone (born September 13, 1925/from Providence, Rhode Island) was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#97139) with Fighter Squadron 114 (884) aboard the carrier USS Boxer (CV-21). On August 4, 1951, immediately after take-off, his aircraft's engine suffered power failure and the plane crashed. His remains were not recovered. Per Dwayne Friese was attached to VF 194 on paper but was with 884 USS Boxer. He was the son of Clifford Kyler Rathbone (1893-1944) and Dorothea DeWolf Brownwell Rathbone (1893-1982). His sister was Mrs. Carlos (Dorinda Rathbone) Dew Jr. (1924-2009).
August 09, 1951 - DPAA report: Ltjg. James Charles Hughes Jr. entered the U.S. Navy from New York and served with Fighter Squadron 821, embarked aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On August 9, 1951, he was the pilot of a single-seat F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 95798) that took off from the Princeton on a strike mission against enemy targets northwest of the port city of Wonsan, North Korea After arriving at the target area, his aircraft was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and he turned toward the coast to find a safer area to either ditch or bail out. However, shortly after turning, Lieutenant Hughes' aircraft burst into flames and entered a deep dive, and crashed and exploded upon impact. His wingman saw no indication of an attempted bail-out prior to the crash, and other pilots in the flight performed a visual search of the crash area but saw no sign of Lieutenant Hughes on the ground. With no indication that Lieutenant Hughes escaped the aircraft prior to its crash, no ground rescue attempt was initiated. His remains have not been recovered. Today, Lieutenant Junior Grade Hughes 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 Hughes was born July 17, 1926, the son of James Charles Hughes II (1899-1973) and Lena Brown Hughes (1904-1998). He was married in 1949 to Johanna "Jo" Ornstedt Hughes (1928-2022) and they were parents of one son, James C. Hughes IV.
August 11, 1951 - Lt. James Joseph Venes was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#96793) with Fighter Squadron 874 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme (CV-31). On August 11, 1951, while making a dive on a bridge target in North Korea from 5,000 feet, the aircraft exploded and disintegrated in mid-air. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on August 2, 1954. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Venes was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. James was born August 15, 1924 in Fairfield, Connecticut. He was married to Lavina Bernice Bethke Venes (1916-2002).
August 23, 1951 - Ltjg. Eugene Leo Franz was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter bomber (#62920) with Fighter Squadron 53 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). On August 23, 1951, he was flying on instruments and became separated from his flight leader near Wonsan Harbor, North Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on May 20, 1954. Lieutenant Franz was born June 06, 1927, a son of Leo Philip Franz (1891-1972) and Katherine Gertrude Lollman Franz (1894-1980). She married Ellen Louise Meehan (1925-2021) in 1949 in Ness City, Kansas, and they were parents of two daughters. His siblings were Robert John Franz (1921-2013), Joseph Philip Franz (1924-2007), Gerald James Franz (1926-1986), Leonard Cyril Franz (1929-2023) and Catherine E. Franz Gonzales (1933-2020). Following her husband's death, Ellen Franz married Lieutenant Franz' brother, Gerald James, in 1955. They were parents of seven children. Lieutenant Franz was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
September 04, 1951 - Ltjg William Henry Mero was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81924) with Fighter Squadron 874 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). On September 4, 1951, while attacking entrenched enemy troops from 4,500 feet, a 20mm shell struck his aircraft causing it to crash and explode. Lieutenant Mero was born October 02, 1928 in Florida. He was married to Frances Ellen Coppock (later Kilgore) (1927-1991) in 1948.
September 04, 1951 - #121989 - Mid-Air Collision with #121831 - St. Augustine, FL
September 14, 1951 - Capt. James A. Stevenson Jr. was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#63038) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On September 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. Captain Stevenson was born September 30, 1923, the son of James Andrew Stevenson Sr. (1900-1982) and Marjorie Stevenson (1901-1990).
September 18, 1951 - DPAA: Lieutenant Junior Grade Harold Roosevelt Podorson entered the U.S. Navy from California and served with Fighter Squadron 53, embarked aboard the USS Boxer (CV-21). On September 18, 1951, he was the pilot of a single-seat F4U-4 Corsair (bureau number 97011) as part of a strike mission that launched from the Boxer on a mission against enemy bridges in the Kowon and Yonghung areas of North Korea. Weather conditions and fuel limitations caused the strike group to divert from the primary target to another target south of Ambyon. LTJG Podorson circled above while the flight leader made an attack run on the target. Although no enemy anti-aircraft fire was reported, LTJG Podorson's aircraft was missing when the flight leader climbed to rejoin him. Other aircraft on the mission spotted a fire burning on the ground, which was later determined as the crash site of LTJG Podorson's aircraft. The cause of his crash is unknown and there was no sign of a parachute. Search efforts eventually reached the crash site and discovered the aircraft had disintegrated from the impact and subsequent fire, and there was no sign of the pilot or his remains. Lietenant Podorson was born November 12, 1926 in California. He was married to Jean L. Podorson.
October 07, 1951 - [KWE Note: Found on the Korean War Project: "1Lt. Arthur Donald DeLacy was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#82018) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 7, 1951, while on a combat mission between Mundung-ni and Chongsong-ni, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit. He bailed out and was seen alive on the ground. Army reports hit by possible friendly artillery fire while on a road cut mission. Bailed out onto the Hill 520-851 ridgeline at Heartbreak Ridge. Remains not recovered. No anti-aircraft bursts or other indication of enemy fire were observed by Colonel Vaughn, flight leader. A Marine helicopter piloted by Major Edward L. Barker, USMC, attempted an unsuccessful rescue by HO3-S1 helicopter from VMO-6. Major Barker is the father of Hal and Ted Barker of the Korean War Project. The first donation to the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C., was made by Hal Barker to honor Lieutenant DeLacy." Lieutenant DeLacy was born July 15, 1930, the son of Joseph Henry DeLacy and Myrtle Marie Mueller DeLacy.
October 10, 1951 - Capt. Cornelius Taylor "Monty" Montgomery Jr., 33, was killed in action after his F4U-4 Corsair fighter was struck by anti-aircraft fire on October 10, 1951, near Mulgae-Ri, Korea, and crashed into a mountain. His remains were never recovered. Monty was born May 24, 1918 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a son of Cornelius Taylor Montgomery Sr. (1892-1970) and Lydia Mattes Montgomery. He was married to Doryth Findlay Parker Montgomery (1916-1990). Their children were Robert Edward Montgomery (1941-1980) and daughters Sandra and Jane. His siblings were Mary Alma Montgomery (1927-1958), Thomas Rockwell Montgomery (1931-1933), Mrs. George Lewis, Mrs. Dorothea M. Kerstetter, and Dr. Peter S. Montgomery. Monty attended Bethlehem schools and Moravian College for Men before joining the Marine Corps in 1942. He served in Pacific campaigns during World War II.
October 16, 1951 - Captain Ralph Hunter Thomas was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97454) with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 16, 1951, while on a combat mission, he lost contact with the other members of his flight. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on January 14, 1954. Captain Thomas was born March 24, 1920. He and his wife Mary Elise Later Schlener) (died 1993) were parents of Jeffrey and Judy Thomas. Captain Thomas was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
October 23, 1951 - #82146 - Atlantic Ocean
October 25, 1951 - Captain Leonard W. Schneider was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97462) with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 25, 1951, he was flying his final mission before returning to the United States. As he attacked roads and railway bridges near Yonghung, Korea, his aircraft was struck by enemy 37mm Anti-aircraft fire destroying his right wing. His remains were not recovered. Captain Schneider was born November 09, 1921 in Topeka, Kansas, a son of Joseph Nicholas Schneider (1894-1948) and Anna Katharine Artzer Schneider (1897-1987). He married Betty Jane Epling on August 22, 1945 in Topeka, Kansas, and they were parents of Dinah Schneider (later Lane) and Cindy Schneider (later Gish). Cindy was four months old when her father was missing in action. Captain Schneider was the recipient of a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
October 28, 1951 - Ens. Richard Alan Bateman was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter-bomber (#52960) with Fighter Squadron 53 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). On October 28, 1951, his aircraft was hit by enemy anti-aircraft artillery fire during a glide bombing run at BU 7056, lost a section of its wing, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Ensign Bateman was born February 07, 1930, the son of Carl and Helen Bateman. His brother was Samuel Bateman.
October 29, 1951 - DPAA: First Lieutenant Donald Walker Dorn entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Ohio and served with the Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 29, 1951, he piloted a single-seat F4U-5N Corsair (bureau number 123176) that took off from Pusan Airbase, North Korea, on a night mission against enemy positions in the Sangosan area of southeastern North Korea. Once in the target area, he linked up with a PB4Y-2 Privateer to request target illumination flares, and after identifying his target made an attack run on a group of trucks. After a successful pass, 1st Lt Dorn radioed the Privateer that his engine was running rough but he would make one more pass before returning to base. The Privateer next observed 1st Lt Dorn's aircraft firing tracers and then, seconds later, a large explosion and apparent fuel fire on the ground. The Privateer crew attempted to contact 1st Lt Dorn but received no response. Believing that 1st Lt Dorn's aircraft had gone down, the Privateer made several passes over the crash area, but darkness prevented them from spotting the wreckage or any other sign of the aircraft. The aircraft and 1st Lt Dorn remain unaccounted for. Lieutenant Dorn was born July 19, 1920 in Ohio, a son of Benjamin Bernard Dorn (1873-1965) and Henrietta Walker Dorn (1899-1949). He was married to Kerene Belle Dorn (1922-2004) and they were parents of sons Donald Walker Dorn, Mike Dorn, David Dorn, and James Dorn. His siblings were Robert Eugene Dorn (1918-1999), Darwin Glenn Dorn (1922-1945) (killed in action on Iwo Jima) and Benjamin "Benny" Dorn (1925-1999). Lieutenant Dorn was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
October 29, 1951 - Captain Warren Monroe York Jr. entered the U.S. Marine Corps from the District of Columbia and served with Marine Fighter Squadron 214, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On October 29, 1951, he piloted a F4U-4B Corsair (bureau number 63008) that took off on a combat mission against enemy targets in North Korea. During the mission, his aircraft was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, caught fire, and crashed. Captain York was killed in the crash. His remains were not recovered at the time of his loss and were not recovered or identified following the conflict. Today, Captain York 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. Captain York was born November 30, 1919 in Washington, DC, the son of Warren Monroe York Sr. (1889-1976) and Adele Oliver Johnson York (1898-1963). He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars and an Air Medal with five Gold Stars.
November 02, 1951 - #81417 - Mediterranean Sea - 1 fatality
November 04, 1951 - #124676
November 04, 1951 - Maj. James Henry Crutchfield was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97512) with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On November 4, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire. He tried to land on a stream bed but crashed. His remains were not recovered. Major Crutchfield was born June 18, 1920 in Asheboro, North Carolina, the son of James Gladstone Crutchfield (1892-1965) and Sarah Virtle Caviness Crutchfield (1896-1992). On December 20, 1947 in Craven County, North Carolina, he married Patricia Anderson (later Dolan) (1925-2021).
November 08, 1951 - #81939 - California - air to air gunnery practice
November 28, 1951 - #81787 - Escondido, CA
December 5, 1951 - Sgt. Donald K. Bartoli was a crew member of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#62917) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On December 5, 1951, while he was in his parked aircraft, a crippled AD-4L Skyraider collided with his plane, killing him. Donald was born December 05, 1951 in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, a son of Mario J. Bartoli (1901-1985) and Mary A. Paganelli Bartoli (1903-2000). In 1951 he was married to Rosemary T. Coward Bartoli (later Mazza) (1931-2024). His siblings were Roger F. Bartoli (1922-2020) and Dolores (1926-2008). Sergeant Bartoli is buried in Mount Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania.
December 06, 1951 - Capt. William Strickland McCarson was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81789) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 212, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Rendova (CVE-114). On December 6, 1951, after making a strafing run on enemy positions in North Korea, his aircraft failed to recover from the dive, crashed and burned. His remains were not recovered. Captain McCarson wass born September 07, 1921 in Boling, Texas, the son of Booth McCarson (1896-1978) and Fay Strickland McCarson (1897-1983). Captain McCarson was married in 1949 to Virginia Marie Carlson Berg (later Vall) (1921-1986) and they were parents of an infant daughter. He was a 1943 graduate of Texas A&M University. Captain McCarson was the recipient of a Bronze Star and Air Medal.
December 09, 1951 - DPAA: Lieutenant Donald Earl London entered the U.S. Navy from Pennsylvania and served with Fighter Squadron 653, embarked aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On December 8, 1951, Lieutenant London took off from the Valley Forge piloting an F4U-4B Corsair (bureau number 97496) along with one other aircraft on a training mission off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. During the mission, Lieutenant London’s aircraft collided with the other aircraft and crashed. There was no indication that he bailed out before his Corsair impacted the water, and an aerial search found no sign of him. He is still unaccounted-for. Lieutenant London was born August 12, 1924 in Donora, Pennsylvania, a son of William Earl London and Martha Covert London. He was married to Muriel Reynolds on August 31, 1950, and they had a daughter, Stephania Ann London, born three weeks prior to her father's death. His siblings were Rev. Jack London, William London, Inez Mae "Zic" Soule (1923-2011), Evelyn Annabell Dinger (1920-1992), and Frances London McLaren. Lieutenant London served in World War II and was studying law at Dickinson College in Carlisle when he was recalled for service in the Korean War.
December 9, 1951 - Born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, on December 12, 1921, Lt. James Thomas Porterfield Jr. was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#97314) with Fighter Squadron 653 aboard carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On December 9, 1951, while conducting refresher air operations in TARE Area, his aircraft collided with another F4U-4B and crashed into the water. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. He was the husband of Delores Kuhl Porterfield, who was expecting their second child in March. Their eldest child was six-year-old Bobby Porterfield. Lieutenant Porterfield was a son of James Thomas Porterfield Sr. (1898-1968) and Helen Kirk Porterfield (1899-1990). His siblings were Robert Kirk Porterfield (1919-1941/lost at Pearl Harbor during World War II), William Carlisle Porterfield (1925-2010) and Helena "Helen" Porterfield Bishop (1929-2019).
December 14, 1951 - #97063 - El Centro, Ca mid air collision w/ #96856
December 14, 1951 - #96856 - El Centro, CA mid air collision w/#97063
December 19, 1951 - Ens. Glenn Alton Riley was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81631) with Fighter Squadron 713 aboard the carrier USS Antietam (CV-36). On December 19, 1951, after his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, he bailed out and landed in Wonsan Harbor. His remains were not recovered. Ensign Riley was born October 25, 1927, a son of Alda Glenn Riley ( 1906-1971) and Wilda Marguerite Kelly Riley (1909-1943). He was married to Leonora Kaye Keeble (later Reid) on August 21, 1951 in Corpus Christi, Texas, just before he shipped out to Korea. His siblings were Marvin Lee Riley (1929-1995), Shirley Colleen Riley Archer (1931-2003), Wanda Iola Riley Wiley (1933-2008), Arlene Louise Riley Wood (1939-1996) and James Riley.
December 20, 1951 - #96753 - St. Stephens, SC
December 20, 1951 - #96937 - St. Stephens, SC
December 21, 1951 - Captain Herbert David Smith was a pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter (#62953) with the Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On December 21, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and he bailed out. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 15, 1953. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, Captain Smith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the 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 and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Herbert was born November 30, 1921 in St. Petersburg, Florida, a son of James Roy Smith (1885-1943) and Gertrude Jane Wiley Smith (18881955). His siblings were Gerritt Wiley Smith (1910-1977), J. Crawford Smith (1913-1976), John Hughes Smith (1914-1978) and Violet Hope "Vi" Smith Jones (1917-2008).
December 22, 1951 - Lieutenant Robert Leroy Sobey was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter (#81946) with Fighter Squadron 653 aboard carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On December 22, 1951, while on a combat mission a half mile east of Yonghung, Korea, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and disintegrated in mid-air. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Sobey was born December 02, 1918 in Munhall, Pennsylvania, the son of Leroy Cooper Sobey (1891-1942) and Carrie Agnes Haws Sobey (1896-1990). He was married to Ida Mae Bytheway Sobey (1920-2000) of Munhill, Pennsylvania.
While on a night intruder mission, a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34266) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group ran out of fuel and crashed 4 miles west of Taegu Airfield (K-2).
Killed in Action:
Cadena, TSgt. Daniel "Ace" Jr. - Sergeant Cadena was born February 05, 1925 in El Paso, Texas, the son of Daniel Cadena Sr. (1898-1988) and Carolina Reyes Cadena (1902-1983). His sibling was Francisco Cadena. Sergeant Cadena is buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso.
Carey, 2Lt. Edwin A. Jr. - Lieutenant Carey was born July 16, 19 26. He is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
A B-26C Invader bomber (#44-34266) with the 162nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 543rd Tactical Support Group crashed as the aircraftlifted off the runway at Taegu Air Base (K-2), South Korea, killing all on board.
Fatalities
Adamec, 1Lt. George E. - Lieutenant Adamec was born January 31, 1918, the son of John and Anna Adamec. He was married to Arlene Miller (later McGowan) (1918-2013). They were parents of a son G. Paul Adamec and daughter Joan Adamec. Lieutenant Adamec is buried in Broadalbin-Mayfield Rural Cemetery, Broadalbin, New York.
Cummings, Capt. Francis Joseph "Frank" - Captain Cummings was born May 12, 1919 in Cohoes, New York. He was married in 1946 to Marjorie Arleene Feeley (1916-1984). Captain Cummings is buried in Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira, New York.
Lehman, 2Lt. Jacob Charles "J.C." Jr. - Lieutenant Lehman was born August 28, 1926, the son of Jacob Charles "Jake" Cummings (1899-1978) and Eleanor Frances Potter Lehman (1899-2001). His sisters weere Maryella and Nancy Lehman. Lieutenant Lehman had only been serving in the Korean theater for six weeks. He is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery, Churchtown, Pennsylvania.
Manos, 1Lt. Nicholas - Lieutenant Manos was born December 22, 1922 in New York, the son of Manuel and Mary Manos of New York. He was married to Ann Patricia "Mema" Richardson Manos (1918-2016). They had a daughter, Jean Manos Andreacci. He is buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery.
Contact with B-26B Invader bomber (#41-3979) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was lost on January 8, 1951 during a mission over North Korea and the crew remains missing in action.
Missing in Action:
Bunn, SSgt. George William III "Billy" (gunner) - Sergeant Bunn was born December 05, 1925, the son of George William Bunn II and Chrisia K. Bunn. He was the father of George William Bunn IV. Sergeant Bunn was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Dobbs, 1Lt. Gilbert Mosher (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Dobbs was born June 25, 1923. He was married to former World War II WAC Mary E. Campasso (1922-2014) and they had daughters Donna Dobbs and Jeanne E. Dobbs Kennedy (1949-2013). Gilbert and Mary attended Pughkeepsie High School. Lieutenant Dobbs was the recipient of an Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
Wilkerson, Capt. Nelson Howe (pilot) - Captain Wilkerson was born September 16, 1924 in Jefferson City, Missouri. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 13, 1942. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
A B-26B Invader bomber (#41-39574) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was hit by anti-aircraft while on a night intruder mission and contact was lost.
Killed in Action:
Buckley, 1Lt. Oliver Edward - Lieutenant Buckley was born March 26, 1921 in Burnham, a son of Oliver Edward Buckley Sr. (1892-1962) and Ferne Hazeltine Shaw Buckley (1898-1974). He was married on June 08, 1944 to Ida Louise Sweat (later Hawkins) (1922-2000) and they had a daughter Susan, age 3. His brother was Wilton Shaw Buckley (1925-2001). Lieutenant Buckley was a graduate of Maine Central Institute in 1939. He attended two years at the University of Maine and then West Point. He enlisted in May of 1942 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in August of 1943. After the war he was discharged in 1946. He was a salesman for International Milling Company and a reserve pilot when he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. He is buried in Burnham Village Cemetery, Burnham, Maine.
Hollyfield, TSgt. James Roy - Sergeant was born May 01, 1924, the son of John B. Hollyfield (1904-1969) and Edna Ida Moody Hollyfield (Trivett) (1906-1969). He and his wife Imogene Nidiffer "Jean" Hollyfield (later Williams) (1924-1988) were married in 1944 and were parents of two daughters, Eloise Hollyfield Jurgens and Linda Sue Hollyfield Buirks Prairie (1950-1981). His siblings included Frances Hollyfield Nagy, Juanita Hollyfield Cotham, and Norma Hollyfield Watson.
On January 14, 1951, while on a night intruder mission, a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34351) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire. The crew bailed out about two miles west of Hamjong-ni.
Missing in Action
Mitchell, SSgt. Bernard (tailgunner) - Sergeant Mitchell was born June 11, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was married to Elizabeth A. Mitchell and they had a two-year old son at the time Sergeant Mitchell went missing.
Rountree, Capt. Fred Brinson Sr. (pilot) - Captain Rountree was born August 13, 1922 in Georgia, a son of Frank Roy Rountree (1884-1961) and Anita Brinson Rountree (1887-1976). His siblings were an infant sister (1914-1914) and William Franklin Rountree (1917-1962). Captain Rountree and his wife Dorothy Ann (later Schandler) were parents of Fred Jr. (3 1/2 years old) and James (1 year old) at the time he went missing in action. Captain Rountree attended Guyton High School in Guyton, Georgia, and was a 1946 graduate of the US Military Academy. He had completed 40 missions over Korea. His name is on the NIelsen-Henderson Prisoner of War list.
Rescued:
Thomas, 1Lt. Donald S. - rescued after 83 days.
On February 11, 1951, while on a night intruder mission, contact with a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34386) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group was lost.
Missing in Action:
Frazer, Capt. John David Sr. - Captain Frazer was born July 19, 1923. He was married and had a son, John David Jr. Captain Frazer was the recipient of an Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Hall, Col. Thomas Burns - Colonel Hall was born September 26, 1910 in Chama, New Mexico, the son of Henry Leroy and Margarita Hall. He was married to Verna Hall and they had two sons, Tony and Christopher. He graduated in the USMA Class of 1933 and was a decorated World War II veteran with a Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, and Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters.
Nielsen, Capt. David Leon (pilot) - Captain Nielsen was born May 05, 1916 in Long Beach, California, a son of William Henry Nielsen (1881-1955) and Annie Eleanora Sorensen Nielsen (1885-1968). His siblings were Geneva Bernece Nielsen Miner (1902-1984), Jennie Mae Nielsen Thorpe (1905-1983), William James Lester (1907-1975), Ronald C. (1911-1974), Reed E. (1913-1999), Violet Eleanor Nielsen Nielsen (1920-2008) and Rex Eugene (1924- 1974).
Smiley, SSgt. Paul Arthur - Sergeant Smiley was born January 30, 1923 in Port Huron, Michigan, a son of John Ray Smiley Sr. (1891-1954) and Kathryn Bannon Smiley (1898-1987). His siblings were John R. Smiley Jr. (1921-19 67) and a baby brother (1924-1924). Sergeant Smiley was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with nine Oak Leaft Clusters.
On February 12, 1951, while on a night intruder mission, the last contact received from a B-26C Invader bomber (#44-35972) with the 731th Bomber Squadron, attached to the 3rd Bomber Wing based at Kunsan Air Force Base (K-8), Korea, was as it was entering the target area. Circumstances of Loss: The aircraft (named "Night Hawk," with call sign "Duncan 16") took off just after midnight, local "Item" time, from Iwakuni Air Base, Japan. It reported en route to target at 0218 hours over K-2 Air Base at Taegu, Korea--and this was the last known contact with the aircraft.
The intended mission was rail and road cutting in Hamhung area on the east coast of North Korea. Specific assignment was Route 3 between CU 4878 and CV 6830.
Missing in Action:
Park, 1Lt. David Humbert - Lieutenant Park was born July 01, 1928 in Pennsylvania, the son of John and Mary Humbert Park.
Skare, Capt. Carter Morrison (navigator) - Captain Skare was born January 13, 192, the son of Alford L. and Marjorie Skare. He was married to Helen V. Skare (later Bruton) (1921-2011) and they had a daughter Jackie Skare Scott. Captain Skare was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Vaughn, Capt. Hayden Gale (pilot) - Captain Vaughn was born February 10, 1918, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Vaughn. He was married to Ruth Vaughn. Captain Vaughn was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Wands, 1Lt. John Anderson (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Wands was born March 27, 1925. He enlisted in Joliet, Illinois and was a World War II veteran.
A B-26B Invader bomber (#unknown) with the 730th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Wing caught fire while on a night intruder mission, and the crew bailed out.
Killed in Action:
McAfee, Sgt. James Thomas (tailgunner) - Sergeant McAfee was born February 19, 1923, the son of George and Agnes McAfee. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
A B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34331) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was hit by anti-aircraft while over the target area on a night intrusion mission. The aircraft exploded, killing all on board. Their remains were recovered.
Fatalilties:
Bitterle, 1Lt. Douglas Raymond (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Bitterle was born October 12, 1921 in Royal Oak, Michigan, a son of Raymond L. Bitterle (1897-1968) and Bertha F. Mercer Bitterle (1899-1998). He was married in 1941 to Susie Agnes Chambers and they had children Diana Bitterle (1945-1946), Linda Sue Bitterle, Patrick D. Bitterle and Douglas Bitterle. His siblings were Virginia Winnifred "Gina" Bitterle Healy (1926-2022) and Wallace Bitterle. A World War II veteran who received a Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star, he is buried in Oakview Cemetery, Royal Oak, Michigan.
Platt, 1Lt. Hamilton B.
Raihl, Sgt. Frank A.
DPAA: On February 21, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34297A) with a crew of three took off from Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, as the lead aircraft in a four-plane low-level bombing operation against enemy targets west of a small village in North Korea. Inclement weather in the target area forced the flight to move on to a secondary target near Wonsan, North Korea. Upon reaching Wonsan, the flight split into two groups of two. After bombing enemy holdings in the town of Kosong, the B-26 and its wingman attacked a small bridge south of the town. While making a second pass over the bridge, a bomb exploded directly underneath this Invader shortly after it left the bomb bay. The aircraft exploded in midair and broke apart as it crashed. The other three aircraft on the mission made several passes over the area but saw no signs of life at the crash site. All three members of the Invader's crew are thought to have died in the incident, and all three remain unaccounted for.
Missing in Action:
King, LTC Walter Syler - Lt. Colonel King was born June 9, 1921 in Winters, Texas, the son of Alvin H. King (1886-1928) and Berva O. Speegle King (later Stuteville) (1896-1946). He was married to Faye F. King (later Easterley) (1921-1993). Their son, Walter Lee King, was born in 1942 and died in 1977. It is believed by the KWE that the Kings had at least one other child. Lt. Colonel King's siblings were Alvin Hawkins King (1929-2003) and Herbert Lee "Hub" King (1924-1994). The colonel was a World War II and Korean War veteran who had earned a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and an Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.
Root, SSgt. Voorhees "Bo" Smith Jr. - Sergeant Root was born November 26, 1908, the son of Voorhees Smith Root Sr. (1872-1945) and Elizabeth Nell Vaughan Root (1882-1957). His siblings were Edgar W. Root (1908-1935), Mary Eleanor Root Simpson (1911-2007), Henrietta Root Falkner (1913-2007) and Sarah Martha Root (1920-1961). Sergeant Root was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 17 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Woolam, Capt. Charles Woodbury (navigator) - Captain Woolam was born August 04, 1922, a son of Edward Bascom Woolam (1893-1972) and Ethel Geneva Woodbury Woolam (1889-1982). He was married to Patricia Ann Quinn of Idaho, who was living in Warehouse Point, Connecticut at the time that her husband went missing. They were parents of a two-year-old son who drowned in 1949. Captain Woolam had siblings Lucile Braden Woolam Berrizbeitia (1919-2008), Edgar Bascom Woolam (19;21-1971), John Donald Woolam (1925-1978), Eunice Woolam Schortman (1927-2017) and Richard Vernon Woolam (1934-2005). Captain Woolam was a World War II veteran who joined the Army Air Corps and participated in 70 missions as a bombardierr. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.
On February 21, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-35915) with a crew of four took off from Miho Air Base, Japan, as part of a five-plane bombing mission against rail targets between Sinanju and Pyongyang, North Korea. As the flight approached mainland North Korea near Wonsan, severe weather forced them to break up and fly by instruments. After continuing this way for twenty-five minutes, the weather continued to deteriorate, and the flight leader directed the flight to return to the Wonsan area. The pilot of this B-26 made a request to continue west in hopes of breaking through the inclement weather, and the flight leader granted permission. A short time later, the B-26 that had continued reported to the flight leader that they had reached "pretty good" weather. This was the last known contact made with this Invader, which failed to return from the mission. None of the aircraft's crew were seen or heard from again.
Missing in Action:
Lachnit, Capt. Ivan Marcian (pilot) - Captain Lachnit was born June 17, 1918, the son of Leo Arnold Lachnit. He was married to Maxine Lachnit.
MacArthur, SSgt. Douglas Jay (tailgunner) - Sergeant MacArthur was born March 23, 1923, the son of David (or John) MacArthur (1879-1941) and Verna Belle Schultz MacArthur (1891-1981).
Metzger, 1Lt. Edwin Irving (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Meetzger was born July 20, 1921, the son of Charles A. and Ruth Metzger. His wife was Dorothy M. Metzger.
Mutschler, SSgt. Forrest Martin (tailgunner) - Sergeant Mutschler was born May 05, 1925 in California, the son of August M. Mutschler and Elva D. Brown Mutschler. He was married to Helen L. Beezley Mutschler and they had a daughter, Mary Louise Mutschler (Jones).
DPAA report: Before noon on February 25, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34413A) departed Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, carrying three crewmembers in a flight of four aircraft. The briefed mission was a low-level bombing and strafing operation targeting the railroad bridges and facilities between Pyongyang and Sinanju, North Korea. The flight reached the target area, separating to make individual attacks on their assigned targets. Light but accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire was reported in the area. This Invader began a low-level pass on a target north of Pyongyang and soon flew out of sight. The other aircraft completed their attacks then proceeded to a predetermined rendezvous point; however, this Invader never arrived. Witness reported seeing black oily smoke and flames several miles from their position, but enemy presence prevented them from investigating. The B-26 and the three crew members remain unaccounted for.
Missing in Action:
Bendinsky, TSgt. Leonard Joseph (tailgunner) - Sergeant Bendinsky was born January 12, 1922 in Maizeville, Pennsylvania, the son of Anthony Bendinsky (1895-1958) and Margaret Bendinsky (1898-1966). He was married in 1946 to Dorothy I. Bendensky (later Bowman) (1921-2002). Sergeant Bendinsky was the recipient of an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Jensen, Capt. Wilbur Dean (bombardier) - Captain Jensen was born December 15, 1923, a son of J. Einer Jensen and Virginia Jensen. His older brother, Jerald B. Jensen, was killed in action on August 25, 1944 during World War II.
Laufer, Capt. DeForrest August Von Jr. (pilot) - Captain Laufer was born August 21, 1920 in Pennsylvania, the son of DeForrest August Von Laufer Sr.
DPAA: On the morning of February 26, 1951, a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-034678) with a crew of three aviators departed Miho Air Base, Japan, as part of a six-aircraft flight in a two-flight formation. The Invader was the number two aircraft in the lead flight. The briefed mission was a coordinated bombing operation targeting railroads and bridges on a main supply route between Pyongyang and Sinanju, Korea. The flight arrived in the target area without mishap and began bombing a railroad bridge five miles north of Pyongyang. After making several passes, the Invader was severely damaged by a direct hit from a 40-millimeter anti-aircraft-artillery (AAA) round and was escorted from the target area by the flight leader. The flight leader radioed the second flight, operating 15 miles north of Pyongyang, and requested that they contact the damaged Invader with their location so the aircraft could join them. The second flight was unable to make contact with the damaged aircraft. The Invader was reported missing after it became overdue and failed to return to base. All three crew members remain unaccounted-for.
Missing in Action:
Combs, 1Lt. Carl Edsel (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Combs was born June 11, 1920, in Redfox, Kentucky, a son of William Cullen Combs (1872-1933) and Ethel May Hamblen Combs (later Phillips) (1888-1971). His siblings were Bessie Combs Amburgey (1905-1945), John Alden (1907-1976), Mary Bell (1910-1936), Clifford Bryan (1912-1991), Cullen Eugene (1915-1958), Juanita Nancy Combs Dunlap (1918-1982) and Ramona Mae Combs Harris (1922-2012). Lieutenant Combs served in the 379th Bomb Group in Kimbolton, England during World War II and was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
McGrath, A2C Ronald George (tailgunner) - Airman McGrath was born December 28, 1927 in Long Beach, California, the son of George Lawrence McGrath (1904-1959) and Lillian G. MacKenzie McGrath (1905-1988). His sister was Gloria Lee McGrath Buehner (1926-2002).
Russell, Capt. Michael Baines (pilot) - Captain Russell was born April 21, 1917 and was from Meridian, Mississippi. A Silver Star recipient, there is confirmation that the crew landed safely but were executed by guerillas.
A B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34218) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group ran out of fuel while returning from a mission and crashed into the sea as it approached Iwakuni Naval Air Station.
Fatalities:
Seavey, Capt. Edward Howard - Captain Seavey was born May 17, 1916. He was the husband of Philippa Seavey. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Stanphill, SSgt. Verlyn Lyle - Sergeant Stanphill was born November 14, 1917 in Fairview, Oklahoma, a son of Vincent Pumphry Stanphill (1876-1972) and Nina Belle Scofield Stanphill (1889-1963). He was married to Marie M. Stanphill. His siblings were Dale Everett Stamphill (1912–1998), Maxine Lola Stanphill Hajny (1914–2003), Olin Shirley Stanphill (1915–1987), Mary B. Stanphill McClure (1928–1996), and half-sibling Marion MOsell "Blackie" Stanphill (1900-1983). Sergeant Stanphill enlisted on December 04, 1 946. He is buried in Watonga Odd Fellows Cemetery, Watonga, Oklahoma.
Thomas, 1Lt. Robert J. - Lieutenant Thomas was born March 23, 1928. He joined the Army in 1945, later graduating from Officers Candidate School. He was married to Elizabeth A. Thomas. He is buried in Saint Francis Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona.
Following information from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency: On March 24, 1951, a B-26 Invader (#44-34543) with a crew of three took off from Miho Air Base, Japan, as part of a low-level bombing mission targeting enemy positions between Sinanju and Pyongyang, North Korea. While making an attack against a rail target, the Invader was hit and damaged by anti-aircraft fire. The plane was forced to crash land north of the town of Sunan. Witnesses in other aircraft on the mission reported that the downed plane was not on fire, and appeared to be in good condition. They saw no sign of any of the crew, but did see a large group of unidentified persons and a vehicle near the crash site. An organized ground search could not be conducted due to enemy presence in the area. The Invader's pilot and navigator were later found to have survived the crash and been taken as prisoners of war. Both men were returned to U.S. custody following the end of hostilities. The third member of the aircraft's crew remains unaccounted for following the incident.
Missing in Action:
Ranes, SSgt. Willliam Henry - Sergeant Ranes was born April 09, 1924, the twin son of Jesse C. Ranes (1892-1944) and Viola Florence Banks Ranes (1901-1976) of Perry, Iowa. He was married to Patricia A. Ranes of Del Paso Heights, California. His twin brother was John E. Ranes (1924-2003). William and John graduated from Perry High School in February of 1943. William was the recipient of an Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Cluster.
Prisoners of War (returned in Big Switch):
Boswell, 1Lt. William G.
Hedlund, Capt. Harry F.
On March 25, 1951, while on a night intruder mission as a B- 26B Invader bomber (#44-34707) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group approached the target, contact was lost. The crew is listed as missing in action.
Missing in Action:
Leavitt, 1Lt. Bernard Sheridan (pilot) - Lieutenant Leavitt was born November 22, 1920. He was the son of Olive Chrystene Billie Lawhead Young. Lieutenant Leavitt was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Smith, Capt. Willis Preston (co-pilot) - Captain Smith was born June 02, 1924 in San Diego County, California. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Viveiros, SSgt. Manuel Joseph (tailgunner) - Sergeant Viveiros was born March 22, 1924. His mother was Mrs. Frances P. Viveiros of Newport, Rhode Island. Sergeant Viveiros was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
A B-26B aircraft (#44-32553) assigned to the 8th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group crashed two miles southeast of Iwakuni, Japan, during a local night training involving bombing and strafing in conjunction with a C-47 flare ship.
Fatalities:
Gallagher, 1Lt. Karl Eugene Jr. - Lieutenant Gallagher was born January 03, 1924 in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Karl Eugene Gallagher Sr. (1900-1956) amd Zada Neil Benefield Gallagher (1902-1991). He was married to Christine Shirley Gallagher (1921-1994) in 1950. His sisters were Robert Elaine Gallagher Aaron (1922-1993), Betty Gallagher Woods (1927-2020), Lora Gallagher Mobley and Flo Gallagher Prince. Lieutenant Gallagher is buried in Snow Hill Cemetery, Snow Hill, North Carolina.
Stein, Maj. Joseph Herman - Major Stein was born October 17, 1918 in Athens, Georgia, the son of Herman Karl Stein (1893-1936) and Louise Stein (1897-1989). He was married to Frances Stein (1921-1992). His sister was Eleanor Stein Sheriff (1922-2006). Major Stein is buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery, Athens, Georgia.
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. All four aviators remain unaccounted-for.
Missing in Action:
Fitt, 1Lt. John Mason - Lieutenant Fitt was born September 07, 1924 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the son of Albert J. and Hilda Fitt. He was married to Patsie Sourwine Fitt and they were parents of Brandon Jay (18 months old) and Mark Mason (3 1/2 years old). He attended Alhambra and Mark Keppel High Schools before joining the Air Corps. Lieutenant Fitt enlisted on March 20, 1943 and was a member of the Air Corps Reserve. He was recalled to active service, arriving in Korea on October 1, 1950.
Hiatt, Maj. William Holmes - Major Hiatt was born February 13, 1921 in Madison, Iowa, a son of Ernest Bradfield Hiat and Catherine Luella Spencer Hiatt. He was married to Virginia Robey Hiatt and they had a son and daughter. Major Hiatt had a brother Paul Hiatt. Major Hiatt enlisted on December 16, 1941 and was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Gold Stars.
Upton, Sgt. Richard Raymond - Sergeant Upton was born January 06, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Richard John Upton and Christine H. Gould Upton. A World War II veteran, he enlisted on June 10, 1944.
Watkins, Capt. Norman Edward - Captain Watkins was born July 22, 1914 in Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, the son of Edward and Marian Jones Watkins. He was married to Helen Louise Young on March 16, 1945 in Los Angeles, California. The recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Gold Stars, he enlisted on November 13, 1941.
DPAA: Just after midnight on April 5, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34257A, nicknamed "Lady June") departed Taegu (K-2) Air Base (AB), Korea, with a crew of three aviators. The briefed mission was a single ship night intruder operation targeting the main supply route known as Purple 5. The planned route was from K-2 to Sinanju, Kunu-ri, and Pyongyang, then returning to Lady Junes home base at Iwakuni AB, Japan. Shortly after takeoff, Lady June's crew made their required radio check and proceeded toward the target area. This was the last contact made with this Invader. The first indication of trouble was when the B-26 became overdue and failed to return to base. All three aviators remain unaccounted-for.
Missing in Action:
Proud, TSgt. Robert Lee Jr. (tailgunner) - Sergeant Proud was born August 06, 1921, in Electra, Texas, the son of Robert Lee Proud Sr. (1887-1951) and Bessie Lou Cooper Proud (later Ritchey) (1902-1982). He was married to Virginia L. Haney and they had a son James Robert Proud (1948-1981), and daughters Sandra Proud (Heider) and Judith Proud (DeLao). Sergeant Proud was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Unruh, Capt. Halbert Caloway (pilot) - Captain Unruh was born June 10, 1922 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of George Halbert Unruh and Marian Hannah Unruh of Long Beach, California. He was married to Esther M. Unruh (1917-2004). The recipient of an Air Medal, Captain Unruh was taken prisoner of war and transferred to the Soviet Union.
Wells, 1Lt. George Thomas Jr. - Lieutenant Wells was born September 27, 1923, the son of George Thomas Wells Sr. and Beula Lee Dillon Wells (1902-1973). His brother was Jackson Aubrey "Jack" Wells (1924-1991). Lieutenant Wells was married to (1) Mary Jo Ayers (later Stewart) in 1943. She was born in 1923 and died in 1998. They had one son, John Michael Wells (1946-1998). Lieutenant Wells married (2) Mary Lou Peeler (1924-22006) on March 05, 1949. They chad children Candyce Wells (Howell) and George Geoffrey Wells. Lieutenant Wells was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
DPAA: On April 21, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-35783) carrying two American crew members and a pilot from the Turkish Air Force took off from Miho Air Base, Japan, to perform a tactical bombing mission against enemy rail targets east of Sunchon, North Korea. Witnesses reported seeing the Invader experiencing difficulty during its second pass over the target. The Invader then began a slow descent, eventually crashing and exploding east of the target. Because the aircraft fell in enemy territory, and aerial observation of the wreckage was made but failed to reveal any signs of the crew or parachutes in the area. Enemy presence prevented ground searches of the crash site and its missing crew members.
Missing in Action:
Allred, SSgt. Robert Ervin- Sergeant Allred was born August 11, 1928, a son of Cora Allred. He had a brother. Sergeant Allred was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Erdonmez, Lt. Muzaffer (pilot from the Turkish force)
Farber, Capt. Joseph Louis - Captain Farber was born December 21, 1917, the son of Ralph O. and Matilda D. Farber. His wife was Mary Farber of Greer, South Carolina and his daughters were Ann (age 5) and Kathryn "Kathy" (age 4). Captain Farber was a World War II veteran.
On April 22, 1951, a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-34706) with a crew of three took off from Miho Air Base, Japan, as the number five aircraft in a six-plane rail-cutting mission targeting marshalling yards on the outskirts of Yongdok, North Korea. While over the target, the Invader was hit and damaged by anti-aircraft fire. The plane caught fire, and one crew member was seen to bail out through the bomb bay doors. This crew member parachuted to the ground and successfully landed, but successive low passes by other aircraft over the area were unable to locate him. The damaged Invader continued to descend toward the south until the other crews on the mission lost visual contact. The Invader's other two crew members, the pilot and the gunner, eventually bailed out near the small village of Tolme, North Korea. Both men were captured and returned to U.S. custody after the end of the war.
Missing in Action:
Knueppel, Capt. Raymond John (navigator) - Captain Knueppel was born March 21, 1921 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, a son of Diedrich John Knueppel (1893-1986) and Edna Louise Rogge Knueppel (1894-1973). His siblings were Donald Edward (1922-1986), Orval William (1923-2005), Lois Ellen Knueppel Weedin (1925-2007), James Albert (1927-2004), Marian Ruth Knueppel Peebles (1928-2005), Robert George (1925-2021), and John Henry (1935-2020). Captain Knueppel was a graduate of Fort Dodge High School in Iowa and was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
POW's Returned to US Custody:
Bryant, 1Lt. John D.
Venderford, Sgt. Kenneth J.
On April 27, 1951, while on a night intruder mission contact with a B-26C Invader bomber (#44-35974) with the 731th Bomber Squadron, attached to the 3rd Bomber Group based at Kunsan Air Force Base (K-8), Korea was lost as it approached the target.
Missing in Action:
Austin, Maj. Arthur Myles (pilot) - Major Austin was born September 11, 1922, Bellingham, Washington, the son of Isaac Ely Austin (1884-1967) and Glenora A. Sherwood Austin (1894-1976). He was married to Irma D. Austin. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Howell, 1Lt. Martin Frederick Jr. - Lieutenant Howell was born May 13, 1923 in Kansas, the son of Martin Frederick Howell Sr. (born 1890) and Marie Howell (born 1890). He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Lausberg, MSgt. John William Jr. (tailgunner) - Sergeant Lausberg was born February 01, 1921 in New Jersey. A graduate of St. Joseph's Parochial School and Paterson Central High School, he was married with three children: John, age 7; Richard, age 6, and Hilda, age 5. Sergeant Lausberg was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
Yarosh, Capt. Ralph Frederick (co-pilot) - Captain Yarosh was born October 02, 1924, the son of Samuel and Claire Yarosh. He was married to Barbara A. Yarosh. Captain Yarosh was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Official DPAA report: Just after midnight on May 5, 1951, a B-26C Invader (tail number 44-34405A, nicknamed "The 5th Chadwick") using callsign Skillful 17, departed Taegu (K-2) Air Base, South Korea with a crew of four aviators. The briefed mission was a night armed reconnaissance operation targeting the enemy main supply route 3 in North Korea. While on patrol, an air control station directed Skillful 17 to target a barracks near Wonsan, North Korea. After multiple bombing and strafing runs, the pilot spotted a row of lights, which appeared to be trucks moving along a road. When his tracer rounds illuminated the area, the pilot realized it was a trap. A string of blinking lights had been placed on a steep hill to look like a convoy moving down a level road, causing an aircraft, attempting to strafe the mock convoy, to fly into the ground. The pilot immediately pulled up; however, the aircraft still grazed the ground, damaging its left engine. The damaged Invader recovered and headed toward the sea, slowly losing altitude. Once over Yonghung Bay, the pilot was able to make a successful "Mayday" call before crashing a few miles off the coast of the Hodo Peninsula. The following morning, search personnel rescued Skillful 17's observer pilot. He reported that the pilot and navigator replied to his calls after escaping from the plane, but because of the darkness and his weakened condition, the observer pilot was unable to assist them. After a brief period, he did not hear them again. All efforts to locate the remaining aviators were unsuccessful.
Missing in Action:
Chitwood, Sgt. John Vernon(tailgunner) - Sergeant Chitwood was born April 20, 1920, a son of John IsaiahChitwood (1882-193)) and Ella May Morris Chitwood (1901-1937). His siblings were Marie Ardell Chitwood Johnson (1918-2006), David Leonard Chitwood (1924-1990), Robert Marion Chitwood (1926-1987) and Joseph Henry Chitwood (1927-2021).
Kern, 1Lt. Douglas Bruce - Lieutenant Kern was born August 21, 1926 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the only child of Col. Theodore Douglas Kern (1906-1965) and Mathilda Fisch Kern (1902-1984).
Martin, Capt. Robert J. Jr. - Captain Martin was born November 22, 1921.
Survivor:
Kirkpatrick, Capt. Norbert W. (rescued) - Captain Kirkpatrick was born on October 06, 1922 and died January 24, 2009.
On May 7, 1951, a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34563) with the 729th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Wing was hit by ground fire in the right engine south of Pyongyang. Some crewmembers bailed out 10 miles east of Sinmak. Navy and Air Force fighter aircraft and helo conducted SAR effort.
Missing in Action:
Raymond, SSgt. Gerald Westley (tailgunner) - Sergeant Raymond was born November 09, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana, a son of George Arristide Raymond Sr. (1888-1956) and Alpha Annie Abadie Raymond (later Mayer) (1898-1988). His brothers were George Arristide Raymond Jr. (1918-1977), Curtis Henry Raymond Sr. (1921-1985), Calvin Palmer Raymond (1931-2003) and Douglas Forman Raymond (1919-1995).
Returned to US Custody:
Griffith, 1Lt. Carl T. - rescued by helicopter
MacLellan, Lt. Col. Donald J. (POW) - returned to US custody in Operation Big Switch
DPAA report: On the night of May 21, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34221, call sign Skillful 19) departed Taegu Air Base, Korea with a crew of four aviators. The briefed mission was a night interdiction operation north of the Imjin River. Ninety minutes after take-off, the pilot radioed air controllers and requested permission to cross the Imjin. There was no further contact with Skillful 19. Searches were conducted for several days but all were unsuccessful in locating the aircraft. Two years later, one of the airmen from Skillful 19's crew was returned to U.S. military control during Operation Big Switch. He reported that the B-26 had been hit by ground fire thirty miles north of the Imjin River and that one of the engines caught fire. The pilot gave the order to bail out, but only the gunner and second pilot were able to bail out before the aircraft exploded. The gunner did not see the second pilot exiting the aircraft; however, he did hear from other prisoners that the officer had survived, Skillful 19's pilot, second pilot, and navigator remain unaccounted-for.
Missing in Action:
Beardall, Capt. Harald "Hal" Martyn II - Captain Beardall was born October 16, 1924, Orlando, Florida, a son of Orlando Mayor William "Billy" Beardall Jr. (1890-1984) and Shadie Livingston Hamer Beardall (1903-19 62). He was married to Bette Eileen Warren (later Foster) in 1948 but they divorced in 1950. Captain Beardalls siblings were William Hamer "Bill" Beardall Sr. (1923-2011), Shadie Livingston "Shea" Beardall (1929-2002) and Jon B. Beardall. Captain Beardall is on the Nielsen-Henderson list of prisoners of war. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with ten Oak Leaf Clusters.
Festini, Capt. Steve Joseph - Captain Festini was born July 06, 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of John B. Festini (died 1969). He was married to Elizabeth Festini of Parma, Ohio.
Lewis, Capt. Jack - Captain Lewis was born November 16, 1919 in Denver, Colorado, a son of Jack Lewis (1893-1995) and Helen Kutter Lewis (born 1897). He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clsuters.
Returned to the States:
Wilkins, SSgt. Robert M. (gunner)
1Lt. Thomas Clay Hanson was the pilot of a F-86A Sabrejet fighter interceptor (#49-1130) with the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On June 5, 1951, while on a combat mission and taking off from Airfield K-13 (Suwon), he jettisoned the aircraft's external fuel tanks and the plane crashed five miles from the runway. LIeutenant Hanson was born September 29, 1923, a son of Richard Lee Hanson (1899-1927) and Mary Etta Parish Hanson (later Porter) (1902-1971). His brother was Ervis Monroe Hanson (1922-1991). Lieutenant Hanson, a graduate of Rush Springs High School in 1941, joined the Navy and served in World War II. He then entered the Air Force. He was engaged to be married. Lieutenant Hanson was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He is buried in Rush Springs Cemetery, Rush Springs, Oklahoma.
On June 7, 1951, a B-26C Marauder (tail number 44-35277) took off from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carrying three crew members on a night combat mission to attack enemy targets on a highway running between Pyongyang and Sariwon, North Korea. Contact was lost with the aircraft after it struck its targets, approximately five miles outbound from the target area. When the aircraft was reported overdue returning to its home base, an aerial search was initiated but found no trace of the aircraft or the three crew members. No crews in the target area or along the flight path reported hearing any radio calls from this aircraft after the loss of contact.
Aircraft entered North Korean airspace late on the night of 6 June 1951 and began its attacks against road and rail lines between Pyongyang and Sariwon. The last radio call was at 2355 local time as the aircraft was leaving the target area. No further contact was received and it is believed the aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire that was unknown or not yet obvious to the crew as there was no indication of trouble during the last contact. Time of loss has been conventionalized as 0100 on 7 June 1951. The intended point of landing was Tageau AB (K-2) in South Korea, but it is not believed the aircraft recrossed fighting lines.
Missing in Action:
Barr, SSgt. Joseph Lindsey (tailgunner) - Sergeant Barr was born September 01, 1925. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Soldier's Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Knapp, Capt. Kingdon Roger (co-pilot) - Captain Knapp was born December 05, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois, a son of Glen Stafford Knapp Sr. (1886-1936) and Grace M. Fetter Knapp (1883-1940). He was married to Catherine M. Pybus (1926-1985) in 1944. Captain Knapp had at least one sibling: Glen Stafford Knapp Jr. The source of the following information came from the amazing Korean War Project website: }Kingdon Knapp, was from New York and worked in Pittsburgh as an insurance agent. He enlisted in the RCAF and assigned to 423 Squadron. He received a DFC from King George of England in November 1944. He transfered to the USAAF and flew de Havilland Mosquito aircraft for 654 Squadron, 25th Bomb Group RCN, at Watton, England. In February 1944, he was assigned to the Joan-Elanor project flying secret OSS missions over Germany. The OSS had inserted agents either by A-26 aircraft near Berlin or by B-24 in southern Germany, or A-20 aircraft in central Germany. Flying at 25,000 feet, the Mosquito communicated with the agent on the ground with a special FM radio. The secret J/E radio emitted a cone shaped signal that could not be detected on the ground by German radio detection units. In early March 1945, the OSS operations were transfered to the 492nd BG at Harrington. The 25th BG sent Lt. Knapp and a navigator to fly the Mosquito aircraft for OSS until 492nd BG crews could be trained in this task. Lt. Knapp flew the majority of successful OSS JE missions from Harrington. In fact, had it not been for Knapp and his navigator, the project would have been a total failure. More information on the secret OSS missions that Knapp flew is detailed in Joseph Perscio's book, Breaching The Reich. Without his participation, the JE OSS missions would have been a total failure according to Steve Simpson, OSS director of sedret Joan-Eleanor project. The history of Lt. Knapp will appear in a future book on the 25th BG history by Norman Malayney, titled the Secret Air War."
Morgan, Capt. Leroy Albert Jr. (pilot) - Captain Morgan was born June 27, 1920 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Leroy Albert Morgan Sr. and Hazel E. Shrem Morgan. He was married to Mary Patricia Medlicott (1921-1970) and they had a son Christopher B. Morgan (1947-2007). Captain Morgan was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
On June 13, 1951, while on a night intruder mission along Route Green 7, contact with a B-26B Invader bomber (#41-39396) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Wing was lost.
Missing in Action:
Bradley, 1Lt. Ralph Porter (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Bradley was born April 20, 1920 in Niagara Falls, New York, a son of Delmont Rockwood Bradley (1886-1963) and Bertha Idella Porter Bradley (1891-1948). His siblings were Natalie Estelle Bradley Barden (1922-2002) (Staff Sergeant, USMC, World War II) and Fred Bradley (1925-2010). Lieutenant Bradley was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Holland, Capt. Louis Dearve (pilot) - Captain Holland was born July 30, 1920, a son of Arthur Franklin Holland (1893-1978) and Violette Virginia Nelson Holland (1892-1939). His siblings were Lavonne Artimescia Holland (1917-1920), Arvid Artghur Holland (1918-1998), and Merrill McKay Holland (1926-1991).
Lindsey, SSgt. Ray Edward - Sergeant Lindsey was born August 22, 1929 in Louisiana, the son of Dewey Lindsey (born 1899) and Willie Newman Lindsey (born 1906). Sergeant Lindsey was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Official DPAA report: Captain William Delbert Crone entered the U.S. Air Force from California and served with the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group. On June 18, 1951, he piloted an F-86A Sabre (tail number 49-1307) that took off as one in a flight of four F-86s on a fighter sweep mission near Sinuiju, North Korea. During the mission, the flight was attacked by eight MiG-15s, and Capt Crone and his aircraft were lost in the ensuing action. None of the U.S. aircraft made it back to base, so the detailed circumstances surrounding the engagement and its outcome are unknown. Efforts to locate Capt Crone were unsuccessful, and an aerial search of the likely loss area found no trace of the missing pilot or his and the other aircraft. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Capt Crone, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Captain Crone was born June 18, 19 21, a son of Thomas Otha Crone (1887-1962) and Carrie Mae Flood Crone (1890-1972). His siblings were Mabel Ruth "Mabe" Crone Taylor (1918-2008), Lena and Art. Captain Crone was the recipient of a Soldiers Medal and Air Medal. His name appeared on a list entitled, "The Transfer of U.S. Korean War POWs to the Soviet Union" dated September 1993.
On June 29, 1951, while on a combat mission, contact with a B- 26B Invader bomber (#44-35749) with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was lost.
Missing in Action:
Herbenick, 1Lt. Andrew John (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Herbenick was born July 03, 1922 in Pennsylvania, the son of Mary Herbenick of Lyndora, Pennsylvania. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
Laney, Capt. Guy Floyd (pilot) - Captain Laney was born May 12, 1924 in Denton County, Texas, the son of J. Walter Laney (1885-1959) and Jennie Floyd Laney (1884-1968). His sister was Sammie Laney Paradis (1923-2006). He was married to Barbara Turney Laney and they had a daughter. Captain Laney was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Madsen, SSgt. John Jr. - Sergeant Madsen was born October 15, 1926 in Ohio, the son of John Madsen Sr. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
On July 1, 1951, the B-26 bomber "Yer Old Dad" (#44-34703) was on a night intruder mission over the North Korean port city of Wonsan on the Sea of Japan. The plane flew a route named "Purple One", leaving the air base at Pusan, South Korea and flying over water up to the tip of North Korea. They flew down the coast, radioing to "Snow Flake", a C-47 that handled all the missions that night, reporting back targets and related information. The aircraft was shot down over the southern end of Wonson Harbor. When the B-26 was hit by AAA near Wonsan, the crew radioed "Dentist", a ground station southwest of their location. The pilot was given a 230 degree heading by the ground station to fly to a safe landing area. The aircraft did not make it and the crew was never heard from again. The crew was listed as Missing in Action and presumed dead on December 31, 1953.
Missing in Action:
Boyle, 1Lt. Clarence Edward Jr. (pilot) - Lieutenant Boyle was born August 13, 1922 in Santa Monica, California, a son of Clarence Edward Boyle Sr. (1902-1986) and Helena Boyle. He was married to Bernice N. Boyle and they had a two-year old son, Gary Boyle, when his plane was shot down. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on April 11, 1944 and served as a C-47 pilot in the China, Burma, India theater during World War II. He was in the Air Force Reserves between World War II and the Korean War. Prior to enlisting in 1944 he had been a civilian pilot. Lieutenant Boyle was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
Cooper, 1Lt. Samuel "Sammy" Buck - Lieutenant Cooper was born July 13, 1930, a son of Travis Leroy "TL" Cooper and Sammie Lois Buck Cooper. His siblings were Travis Earl Cooper Sr. (died 2019) and Mary Lois Cooper Turner. Lieutenant Cooper was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Soto, SSgt. George Jimmie - Sergeant Soto was born September 11, 1920. His wife was listed as Fermina Soto. Sergeant Soto was the recipient of an Air Medal.
On July 4, 1951, while on a night intruder mission of firefly drop, contact with a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34374) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group was lost during a Butterfly Drop of pamphlets.
Missing in Action:
Senior, 1Lt. George Albert (bombardier) - Lieutenant Senior was born July 06, 1924 in Pennsylvania, a son of Walter Atwood Senior (1897-1977) and Magdalene Marie Spangler Senior (1896-1983). He was married to Doris Mae Culley in 1946 and they had a daughter, Hallie Kathleen "Kathy" Senior Otto (1949-2012). His siblings were Audrey S. Senior Payne (1922-2020), Patricia Jacqueline "MaMum" Senior Doksa (1929-2004), and Hugh Alan Senior (1936-2020).
Tegt, Capt. Donald Dean (pilot) - Captain Tegt was born February 23, 1921 in Dallas, Texas. He was married to Tenna L. Tegt. Captain Tegt was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Watson, A2C William John (tailgunner) - Airman Watson was born August 11, 1931, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Watson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
On July 19, 1951, while on a night intruder mission, contact was lost with a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34560) with the 729th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Wing between Kunu-ri and Kangye, North Korea.
Missing in Action:
Decker, 1Lt. Raymond Alfred - Lieutenant Decker was born February 27, 1923 in Indiana. He was married to Lou Jean Briggs (later Smith) in 1947 (1924-2016). They had two daughters, Holly Randall and Nancy Lynn Smith (1947-1968). Lieutenant Decker was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
McGuinness, 1Lt. John Bernard - Lieutenant McGuinness was born October 18, 1928, the son of Agnes McGuinness. A Navy veteran in World War II and then enlisted in the Air Force in December 1950. He graduated from Norwalk High School and then attended the Junior College of Connecticut. His brother was Donald P. McGuinness.
McNulty, A1C John William - Airman McNulty was born July 30, 1922 in Connecticut. His wife was Ann E. McNulty of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
A B-26C Invader bomber #44-35985) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group based at Kunsan Air Force Base (K-8), Korea struck a mountain while trying to land at Suwon Airfield (K-13) after a night intruder mission.
Killed in Action:
Burtis, 1Lt. John Robert - Lieutenant Burtis was born June 13, 1914 in Madisonville, Texas, a son of Sterling S. Burtis (1892-1940) and Mary Bell Chiles Burtis (1892-1971). His wife was Kathryn Burtis and his siblings were Mary Jacque Burtis Craig (1923-2001) and James Pleasant Burtis (1912-1931).
Cayemberg, 2Lt. Edward Charles (navigator) - Lieutenant Cayemberg was born May 04, 1929 in Pulaski, Michigan, a son of Felix Charles Cayemberg (1898-1985) and Meta Caroline S. Kranzusch Cayemberg. His siblings were Fern Cayemberg Gouin (1925-2015), Robert Henry Cayemberg (1926-2010), Earl Caymeberg (1928-2020), Marie L. Cayemberg Gouin (1930-2018), Raymond Cayemberg, LaVern Cayemberg and Louis Cayemberg. Lieutenant Cayemberg graduated from Nahma High School and enlisted in the Air Force on July 20, 1948. He arrive in Japan in March of 1950. Lieutenant Cayemberg is buried in Isabella Cemetery, Nahma, Michigan.
Moscatelli, 2Lt. Philip - Lieutenant Moscatelli was born July 27, 1926. He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery.
First Lieutenant Henry Grant Ausburn Jr. was the co-pilot of a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34362) with the 728th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Wing. On August 5, 1951, after a night intrusion mission and while the aircraft was attempting to land, it crashed into a bridge killing him. He was originally from Syracuse and later moved to Camillus in 1946.
Technical Sergeant Clifford Owen "Cliff" Sloppy was the tail gunner of a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34347) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group. On August 26, 1951, immediately after the aircraft took off from K-8, it crashed into the sea. His remains were recovered. Sergeant Sloppy was born January 19, 1925 in Oshanter, Pennsylvania, a son of Howard J. Sloppy (1902-1966) and Nora Ann Nolan Sloppy Brewer (1906-2003). His siblings were Duane C. Sloppy (1934-2011), Pfc. Harold L. Sloppy (1928-1950) (fatally injured in the explosion of a bomb fuse at Aberdeen, Maryland), Thompson D. Sloppy (1926-1974), and an infant sister (1940-1940). A 1942 graduate of Clearfield (Pennsylvania) High School, he served in South America, Africa and Italy during World War II. He was killed on his first mission in KOrea. Sergeant Sloppy is buried in Crown Crest Memorial Park, Hyde, Pennsylvania.
DPAA: Late in the evening on August 25, 1951, a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-34580) departed Pusan East Air Base, Korea, carrying four crew members. The briefed mission was a night armed reconnaissance operation over a main enemy supply route between Peakchow and Chaeryong, North Korea. The last radio communication with this aircraft was a routine report with to the tactical air control station near Seoul (call sign Snowflake). The first indication of concern was when the Invader failed to return to base. Once it was determined, that the aircraft was overdue, Air-Sea Rescue was notified and extensive search for signs of the crash site was conducted both over land and water. All search efforts were unsuccessful.
Missing in Action:
Feakes, 1Lt. Edward Livingston Jr. - Lieutenant Feakes was born Otober 18, 1923 in New Jersey, a son of Edward Livingston Feakes Sr. (1895-1960) and Mary E. Sharar Feakes (1900-1967). His sister was Ruth Feakes Cook and his brother was F. Lee Feakes. Lieutenant Feakes was the recipient of an Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters.
Howard, Capt. David Wayne (pilot) - Captain Howard was born April 17, 1923, a son of Homer W. Howard (1890-1980) and Effie Ann White Howard (1898-1992). He was married to Mary Magdalene DeLaZerba (later Stovall) (1918-1996) and they had a son, David Lewis Howard (1946-1947) who died of bronchial pneumonia. Captain Howard's siblings were William Dean Howard (1925-1988), Robert Howard and Bruce Howard. Captain Howard was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Ingold, A1C William Randolph (tailgunner) - Airman Ingold was born June 04, 1930 in Granville County, North Carolina, a son of Eusebius Alpheus Ingold (1882-1940) and Margaret Tackett Ingold (1892-1965). His siblings were Fredrick Lee Ingold (1910-1967), Alpheus Lafayette Ingold (1912-1979), Robert Edward Ingold (1914-2002), Margaret Ann Ingold Jackson (1917-2004) and Sidney Albert Ingold (1919-1992). Airman Ingold was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Rein, 1Lt. Charles M. - LIeutenant Rein was born September 24, 1925, a son of Donald Rein Sr. (1899-1964) and Frances Timmins Rein (1899-1972). His siblings were Donald Jr. (1923-2003) and George Timmins Rein (1924-1989). Lieutenant Rein enlisted in the Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday in 1943. He was on his elevent mission in Korea when he went missing. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA: On August 30, 1951, a B-26B Invader (tail number 41-39442A, call sign "Skillful 13”) carrying three crew members took off from Kunsan Airdrome, South Korea, as one of three aircraft on a low-level night intruder mission against enemy targets on roads and rail lines between Sariwon and Pyongsan, North Korea. Two of the aircraft dropped their ordnance and returned to base; however, the crew of "Skillful 13" radioed they would remain in the area to expend its remaining ordnance. Approximately one and a half hours after it arrived in the target area, this aircraft reported it was returning to base, but no further radio contact was made. When the aircraft was overdue to its home base, an air search was initiated but found no trace of the missing B-26 or its crew; however, three parachutes were observed on the ground near the B-26's last reported position in the air, which were suspected to be those of the crew of Skillful 13.
Missing in Action:
Keister, Capt. Harold Ora (pilot) - Captain Keister was born March 12, 1920 in Romney, West Virginia, a son of William Walter Keister (1872-1960) and Nellie Florence Minnick Keister (1877-1955). He was a graduate of Romney High School in Romney in 1938. His siblings were Arlie William "Mike" (1898-1967), Roy Ralston (1900-1988), Marguerite Henrietta "Etta" Keister Moreland (1905-1956), Georgia M. Keister Orndorff (1908-1982), Edwin Martz Keister (1909-1960) and Maynard S. Keister (1918-1968). Captain Keister was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Moore, Capt. John George - Captain Moore was born September 27, 1913 in Missoula County, Michigan. His mother was Mrs. Jane E. King of Portland, Oregon. He was a graduate of Missoula High School in 1939. From 1941 to 1943 he trained and flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Palmiotti, SSgt. Nicholas Michael "Nick" (tailgunner) - Sergeant Palmiotti was born March 12, 1930 in Union City, New Jersey, the only son of Michael and Edna Palmiotti. His sister was Rose Palmiotti. Sergeant Palmiotti was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
A B-26C (#44-35958) with the 90th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group based at Kunsan Airfield (K-8) crashed on this date while departing on a night intruder mission. The aircraft's instruments malfunctioned and the plane pancaked into the mud flats of the Yellow Sea.
Killed in Action:
Grablin, Capt. Richard Anthony - Captain Grablin was born February 23, 1921 in Colfax, Iowa, the son of Athony B. Grablin (1894-1950) and Ethel I. Chambers Grablin (1896-1953). He was married in 1942 to Hedwig Theresa "Hedy" Wirkowski (later Hays) 1925-1992). His siblings were Virginia Marie Grablin Render (1918-1994) and John Grablin (1931-1992). Captain Grablin graduated from East Des Moines (Iowa) High School in 1939. He enlisted in the Air Corps on December 16, 1941, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross. He died of injuries from the crash and is buried i Glendale Cemetery, Des Mones.
Moyer, 1tCol. James Henry. Jr. - Colonel Moyer was born January 04, 1920 in Ohio, the only child of Dr. James Henry Moyer Sr. (1884-1968) and Martha V. Miller Moyer (1896-1977). He was married in 1946 to Suella Elstun Moyer. He was a graduate of Denison University, Grandville, Ohio and joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 and served in England during World War II. He died of burns in an army hospital in Tokyo on October 09, 1951. He is buried in GreenLawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.
On September 2, 1951, while on a night intruder mission, a B-26C Invader bomber (#44-34342) with the 90th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group crashed in a ball of fire. One parachute was observed.
Missing in Action/Prisoners of War:
Collins, Capt. Joseph Stephen (navigator) - Captain Collins was born July 07, 1922 in Somerville, Massachusetts. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Dawson, Capt. Perry Agustus (crew member) (POW)- Captain Dawson was born August 11, 1919. He received an Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
Koontz, 1Lt. Frederick Russell (pilot) (POW on Nielsen-Henderson List) - Lieutenant Koontz was born March 21, 1928, a son of Russell Taylor Koontz (2900-1957) and Marie Henrietta Trott Koontz (1904-1984). In 1948 he married Nellie E. Shoff (1928-2011). His siblings included Mary Margaret Koontz Schumacher (1925-1998), William Paul "Bill" Koontz (1939-2024), Keith Lynn Koontz (1944-2017), Mrs. William Gill, Richard Koontz, and David Koontz.
On September 2, 1951, while on a night intruder mission, a B-26C Invader bomber (#44-35388) with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group. was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed.
Missing in Action:
Oliphant, 1Lt. Ernest Cornelius (pilot) - Lieutenant Oliphant was born September 09, 1926, the son of Rufus G. Oliphant (1900-1970) of Pleasant Grove, Mississippi. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
McManaman, TSgt. Bernard Lourence (tailgunner) - Technical Sergeant McManaman was the tail gunner of He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. During WWII, he was shot down in Belgium. He was aided by the Belgian Underground and passed through the "réseau comète" in Brussel and Gondregies according to Vanderlinden Christophe, a Belgian researcher. McManaman also fought with the Underground during a battle on September 3, 1944 at Enghien - Marcq.
Roy, 1Lt. William Edward (pilot) - Lieutenant Roy was born May 30, 1927 in Kansas, the son of Walter Dewey Roy (1898-1965) and Nell Wilma "Nellie" Weasel Roy (1898-183). He married Patricia Brubaker Landis (1930-2020) in 1951.
A B-26C Invader bomber (#44-35745) with the 729th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Wing was returning from a night intruder mission when, as it made the go-around, the aircraft crashed and burned about 1/4 mile from the end of the runway, killing all on board.
Randolph, 1Lt. John Buzby "Jack" - Lieutenant Randolph was born June 12, 1928, a son of Joseph Morris Randolph Jr. (1883-1950) and Mary Ann Buzby Randolph (1889-1978). His siblings were Edith Elma Randolph Noble (1908–1987), Joseph Vernon "Yank" Randolph (1911–1981), Vesta Elizabeth Randolph Maready (1912–1989), and Mary Lyda "Dike" Randolph Waters-Arnold (1921–2013). He is buried in Pineview Cemetery, South Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Rovira, Cpl. Harold Joseph Jr. - Corporal Rovira was born October 27, 1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana, a son of Harold Joseph Rovira Sr. (1909-1982) and Margaret McNeil Rovira. His brother was Robert H. Rovira. Corporal Rovira attended St. Catherine and St. Agnes parochal school and graduated from Jesuit High School. He joined the Louisiana Ar National Guard in 1948. He is buried in Garden of Memeories, Metairie, Louisiana.
Williams, 2Lt. Oliver Spencer - Lieutenant Williams was born July 07, 1921 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was married to Grace Carolyn Jenkins Williams (later McGuffee) (1926-2016) in 1945. Lieutenant Williams is buried in Memphis National Cemetery.
Willis, Capt. James Gill Jr. - Captain Willis was born October 31, 1917, the son of James Gill Willis Sr. A graduate of Texas A&M University in 1941, he is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
DPAA: On September 7, 1951, a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-34377) carrying four crew men took off from Pusan Air Base, South Korea, on a combat mission against enemy targets near Sin’gye, North Korea. The flight made a routine check with air control after takeoff and reported no problems, and then proceeded to the target area. No further radio contact was received from this aircraft. When the plane was overdue at its home base, a search of the loss area was initiated but found no trace of the missing aircraft or its crew members. The four crew members remain unaccounted-for. An account by crew on another aircraft said that Vivian Girl crashed into a mountain while targeting a train going into a tunnel.
Missing in Action:
Cheston, A2C Ronald Willis (tailgunner) - Airman Cheston was born December 06, 1932 in Miami-Dade County, Florida, a son of Clarence and Kitty Kelly Hacker Cheston. His siblings were Barbara Ann Cheston Marsh (1939-2020) and Melvin Jean "Mel" Cheston (1935-2015).
Dixon, Capt. Henry Trimble - Captain Dixon was born October 07, 1923 in Jacksonville, Florida, a son of James Thomas Lamar Dixon (1876-1950) and Mary Everett Trimble (1896-1976). He was married to Rosemary B. Burk (1927-2016) in 1945 in Florida. They had a son, Henry Dixon Jr. Captain Dixon, the recipient of an Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, was the brother of James Lamar Dixon (1921-1988).
Finch, 1Lt. Robert Clarence - Lieutenant Finch was born May 29, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan, a son of Wilmar O. Finch (died 1944) and Mary Katerine Finch (died 1976). He married June Ann Flynn in 1949 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His siblings were Jane and Russell Finch. Lieutenant Finch graduated from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, and was a former employee of the Associates Investment Company.
Lyden, 1Lt. William Robert - Lieutenant Lyden was born November 21, 1926 in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of Gottchalk Lyden (1897-1968) and Lillian Elizabeth Lyden (1887-1929). He was married to Joyce Arlene Moe Lyden (1928-2007) and they had a three-month old son, Richard "Rye" Lyden. Lieutenant Lyden's brother was Jack Lyden.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Joseph Buford Parse Jr. was the pilot of an AD-4L Skyraider dive bomber (#13949) with Attack Squadron 54 aboard the carrier USS ESSEX (CV-9). On September 8, 1951, while on a bombing run, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed. His remains were not recovered. LIeutenant Parse was born May 28, 1 929 in Batesville, Arkansas, the son of Joseph Buford Parse Sr. (1902-1974) and Irene Barnett Parse (1903-1991). He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
DPAA: On September 12, 1951, a B-26B Invader (tail number 41-3944A) carrying three crew members took off from Kunsan Air Base (K-8), Korea, on a night intruder mission against enemy targets along the main supply route between Wonsan and Pukchong, North Korea. While en route, the pilot of this aircraft checked in with air control to report he was inbound to the target area; this was the last radio contact made. When the aircraft failed to return to its home base following the mission, a search was conducted but found no signs of the missing aircraft or its three crew members. Unconfirmed reports indicated that a B-26 had crashed in the general area where this aircraft went missing; the report referred to three crew members aboard this aircraft, with one reported as dead, one with a broken leg who was shot and killed, and a third, believed to be an officer, who was captured. However, this information has not been verified, and the three crew members who were aboard this B-26 remain unaccounted-for.
Missing in Action:
Akin, Capt. Rolan Maurice "Bugs" (POW) - Captain Akin was born April 01, 1923 in Hewins, Oklahoma, a son of L.D. "Elder" Akin (1896-1969) and Vernie Leoma Hutchinson Akin (1901-1957). His brother was MSgt. Robert Grant Akins (1919-1997). He was the recipient of an Air Medal. Captain Akin was an Osage Indian.
Davis, SSgt. Norman Glen (MIA) - Sergeant Davis was born May 05, 1928 in Sullivan County, Indiana, the son of Oliver Morton Davis (1878-1934) and Sylvester Jane "Bessie" Griggs Davis (laer Fallowell) (1870-1978). His sisters were Eddie Lucille Davis Davis (1905-1983) and Hallie Marian Davis Purcell (1910-1983). He was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Derosier, Capt. Albert Paul (MIA) (pilot) - Captain Derosier was born December 21, 1921 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.
DPAA report: On September 14, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 41-34314, call sign "Skillful 13") departed Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, with four crew members on a night armed reconnaissance operation targeting the main supply route (MSR) known as Purple 1. While patrolling the MSR, the Invader's pilot spotted an enemy supply train and after expending the aircraft's ordnance load, the crew saw that the train was only disabled and not destroyed as intended. Unwilling to abandon the high-value target, the pilot radioed for assistance and another B-26 (call sign "Skillful 16") responded. Using the aircraft's searchlight, "Skillful 13" illuminated a path to the target for "Skillful 16," which inadvertently made "Skillful 13" an easy target. Just before "Skillful 13's" searchlight was turned off, enemy anti-aircraft batteries fired, creating a box barrage in front of the now visible aircraft. Unable to avoid the flak, "Skillful 13" flew directly through the barrage, continued straight for approximately two miles until it crashed into a mountainside. Only one crew member, the gunner, was known to survive this loss but was taken prisoner and released after the war during Operation Glory. Three crew members were lost in the incident.
Missing in Action:
Browning, Capt. Philip Wells -Captain Browning was born May 27, 1906, in Detroit, Michigan, a son of John Wells Browning (1878-1959) and Maude Louise Browning (1888-1966). He and his wife Madge R. Browning were parents of a son, Wells, age 15. His siblings were Alfred A. Browning, Mary Eleanor Browning, Mrs. J. Chapman (Florence Browning) Mercer and Mrs. Emil (Carolyn Browning) Jergenson. Captain Browning graduated from Port Huron High School in 1924. He attended Junior College for seven years and then joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served in World War II. He participated in 60 bomber missions as a photographer in Europe. After discharge he operated "The Fix-It Shop" until recalled to active duty January 04, 1951. He self-taught himself how to fly a plane in 1930 and was a photographic officer of Port Huron Squadron 632-6 Civil Air Patrol. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Mulkins, 1Lt. William Derral (navigator) - Lieutenant Mulkins was born August 16, 1919, the son of Herbert L. Mulkins and Alice Mulkins. He joined the Army Air Corps on May 20, 1942. He was the recipient of a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Walmsley, Capt. John Springer Jr. (pilot) - Medal of Honor recipient Walmsley was born January 07, 1920 in Baltimore City, Maryland, the son of John Springer Walmsley Sr. (1890-1938) and Louise M. Zuttermeister Walmsley (laterr Garrett) (1896-1981). He was married to Flora Catherine O'Malia in 1941 (1913-2004) and they were parents of two daughters, June Susan (age 3 at the time her father went missing) (later Ferreri) and Amy Louise (age 9 at the time her father went missing) (later Goyne) (1944-2022). Besides the Medal of Honor, Captain Walmsley was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Taken Prisoner of War:
Morar, MSgt. George - A highly decorated retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Morar was killed in a parachute accident in December of 1983.
On September 17, 1951, a B-26C Invader (tail number 44-34750) with three crew members and one passenger took off from Pusan East Air Base, South Korea, landed at Taegu Air Base to pick up a second passenger. The aircraft then embarked on an aerial observation mission to reconnoiter potential drop zones near the port city of Wonsan, North Korea, and around Ha-ri, northeast of Pyongyang. The target areas were reconnoitered successfully, but partway through the mission, the pilot spotted an enemy anti-aircraft position and attacked it as a target of opportunity. During the strafing run, the Invader took several hits to the cockpit from anti-aircraft fire and shortly after the pilot ordered a bail out.. Two of the men aboard the Invader successfully parachuted to the ground, were captured by enemy forces, and were eventually returned to U.S. custody. The other three men remain unaccounted for. Attempts to locate the Invader's crash site were unsuccessful. See Ed Evanhoe's book, Dark Moon.
Missing in Action:
Hearn, Capt. David Carl (KIA) - Captain Hearn was born March 08, 1921 inRienzi, Mississippi, the son of Carl Calvin Hearn (1885-1968) and Mary Lucy Whittemore Hearn (1891-1973). His siblings were Anna Mae Hearn Anderson (1907-1994), Marvin Luther Hearn (1911-1981), Zelma Lucille Hearn Palmer (1913-2004), Oner H. Hearn (1915-1983), Leland Cecil Hearn (1918-1995), Elizabeth Gertrude Hearn Richardson (1923-2003), James Rupert Hearn (1926-1992), Gilbert Ogle Hearn (1931-1999) and Helen Marie Hearn Tilley (1935-1997). A member of the 8086th Army Unit KMAG, he was a passenger on the plane. He bailed out, but because the aircraft was low to the ground his parachute did not work properly. Captain Hearn was the recipient of a Silver Star and Bronze Star.
Stefas, SSgt. Frank (tailgunner) - Sergeant Stefas was born April 10, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, a son of Samuel P. Sefas. His siblings were Harriet Stefas Benavidez and Arthur Stefas. Sergeant Stefas graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1949 and worked as an automobile mechanic before being called to active duty. In 1947 he joined the Naval Reserves as radio gunner at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station.
Wright, Capt. Charles Francis (pilot) - Captain Wright was born October 02, 1922 in Seaford, Delaware, the son of Roland Cooper Wright (1894-1957) and Louise Wheatley Wright (1896-1974) of Seaford. He was the recipient of a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Bronze Star and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Taken Prisoner of War:
Lewis, 1Lt. William J.
Pelser, 1Lt. Frederick Peter (navigator) - Lieutenant Pelser (1921-2010) retired from the Air Force after 30 years of service. He was the author of the book Freedom Bridge, which told about his experiences as a Korean War prisoner of war.
A B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34365) with the 729th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Wing crashed into the sea three miles southeast of Pusan East Airfield (K-9).
Fatalities:
Jones, Capt. Ashley Glenn - Captain Jones was born June 14, 1916 in Dallas, Texas, a son of Charles Clinton Jones (1886-1960) and Irene Shaw Jones (1884-1959). He was married to Bee Laverne Howard Jones (Moore) (1916-1975), and they had two daughters and one son. His brothers were Norman L. Jones (died 2012) and Charles Clinton Jones Jr. (1910-1977). He is buried in Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park, Dallas.
Walker, 2Lt. James Schuyler Jr. - Lieutenant Walker was born February 18, 1925 in Akron, Ohio, a son of James Schuyler Walker Sr. (1899-1958) and Alta Edna Kimble McIntyre Walker (Webb) (1904-1987). His brother was Robert B. Walker (1933-1964) and his half-brother was William Oral "Bill" McIntyre Sr. (1923-2009). Lieutenant Walker is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Akron, Ohio.
Survivors:
Jackson, Capt. Albert S. Jr.
Wiggins, Col. Leslie J.
First Lieutenant Carl George Barnett Jr. was the pilot of a F- 86A Sabrejet fighter interceptor (#49-1113) with the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter- Interceptor Group. On September 26, 1951, while on a combat mission over Sinuiju, Korea, his flight of four F-86s was attacked by a MiG-15. His aircraft was shot down. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Barnett was born December 20, 1 9 27, the son of Carl George Barnett Sr. and Iva I. Barnett. He attended Sandusky High School. He is mentioned in the publication, "The Transfer of U.S. Korean War POWs to the Soviet Union", September 1993.
DPAA report: On the evening of September 28, 1951, a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-34547A) departed Pusan East (K-9) Air Base with a crew of four aviators. The briefed mission was night armed reconnaissance operation targeting a main supply route known as Red 7, with a primary objective of the rail turn-around north of Samdung. One hour into the flight, the crew made a routine radio check with a ground control station, reporting that the aircraft was inbound to the target area; the Invader was apparently experiencing no difficulty in flight. This was the last contact anyone had with this aircraft. On September 29, after all possible efforts were made to establish the whereabouts of the missing B-26, the four aviators were listed as missing in action.
Missing in Action:
Adams, Capt. Robert B. - Captain Adams was born December 17, 1921. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.
Solem, A2C Norris Albert - Airman Solem was born March 0 2, 1931 in Little Elk Township, Minnesota, a son of Ludvig Ivan Solem (1899-1942) and Edna Adella Abrahamson Solem (1898-1960). His siblings were Justin Larry (1922-1961), Lester Stanley (192 4-1962), Ervin Leonard (1925-1998), Milton James "Milt" (1923-2008), Elvan Silas (1932-2001) and Shirley Ann Solem (1936-1968). Airman Solem was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Strope, 1Lt. Eugene Edward - Lieutenant Strope was born July 15, 1921 in Albany County, New York, the son of Harold Edward Strope and Katherine L. Voloberg Strope. Lieutenant Strope was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross (World War II) and Air Medal. Lieutenant Strope was a B-24 bomber pilot in Europe during World War II.
Terry, Capt. Minter Charles - Captain Terry was born May 04, 1921, a son of Milo W. Terry (1888-1966) and Laura Vickers Terry of Cedar Bayou, Texas. He was married to Mary Sophia Nordstrand (later Sharpless) (1924-2017) and they had two sons, Ralph Minter and Charles Raymond Terry. His siblings were Zula Pearl Terry Wroble (1914-1955) and Ray Wesson Terry (1915-1976).
A B-26B Invader bomber (#44-34349) with the 729th Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Wing, while on an armed reconnaissance in the Wonsan area, crashed 25 miles west of Samchok.
Fatalities:
Herr, 2Lt. Walter Charles - Lieutenant Herr was born March 12, 1927 in East St. Louis, Illinois, a son of Joseph John Herr Sr. (1890-1946) and Emily Mary "Sis" Smith Herr (1893-1991). His siblings were Joseph John Jr., Robert J. (1919-1984), Doris M. Herr Prosser (1922-2014), Martin F. (1925-2012), George, and James Edward (1930-1994). Lieutenant Herr attended St. Joseph's Parochial School and graduated from East St. Louis High School. He had two years of chemical engineering before entering the service. He is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois.
Osburn, 1Lt. Lovender Clair Jr. - Lieutenant Osburn was born September 28, 1926, the son of Lovender Clair Osburn Sr. and Evelyn O. Durden Osburn (McWhiter) (1902-1986). His sister was Bettina Evelyn "Betty" Osburn Talbot (1930-1999). He is buried in Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Simmons, Pfc. Thurman Nelson "Thor" - Private Simmons was born June 06, 1932, the son of Thurman Nelson Simmons (1888-1950) and Mrs. Loyce W. Micele of Independence, Louisiana. Private Simmons is buried in Ponemah Cemetery, Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Winters, Capt. Donald Frederick - Captain Winters was born July 10, 1918, a son of Frederick Courtland Winters (1885-1930) and Margaret G. Dunn Winters (1888-1969). His brother was Warren G. Winters (1922-1982). Captain Winters was buried in East Troy Cemetery, Hydetown, Pennsylvania.
Sgt. Richard Lang was the tail gunner of a B-26B Invader bomber (#44-35939) with 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group. On October 1, 1951, after a training flight, the aircraft's engine developed trouble and the aircraft crashed on landing. His remains were recovered. Sergeant Lang was born August 17, 1928. He is buried next to his grandmother, Bessie J. Musil Lang, in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Enid, Oklahoma.
Official DPAA report: On the evening of October 15, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34336A, call sign Skillful-12) departed Kunsan (K-8) Air Base with a crew of four aviators. The briefed mission was a night intruder operation targeting the main supply route known as Red-19. Approximately one hour after takeoff, the pilot contacted ground control, reporting the Invader had been hit, resulting in a right engine on fire. This was the last radio contact made with this B-26. One crew member (the radar observer) successfully bailed out and was rescued the next day by helicopter. Although other aircraft in area maintained a lookout for the Invader and air rescue units were alerted, there was no further sighting of the aircraft or its crash site, and the remaining three aviators were listed as missing in action.
Missing in Action:
Adler, 1Lt. Ernest Max (navigator) - Lieutenant Adler was born November 08, 1916 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Erhardt August Adler and Rosie Adler. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Andrews, Capt. Robert Basil (bombardier) (POW) - Captain Andrews was born May 07, 1921 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, a son of Basil Solon Andres (1903-1975) and Bertha I. Baumbarger Andrews (1906-1958). He was married in 1944 to Florence Beck (later Brown) (1924-1976). His siblings were Harold, Lance, and Helen Andrews Campbell. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Brown, 1Lt. William F. (radar operator) - Successfully bailed out and was rescued.
Olcott, 1Lt. Ray William (pilot) - Lieutenant Olcott was born May 25, 1925. He was married to Betty Paul and they had one son, Ray Paul Olcott. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific 1943-1946. He later enlisted in the Air Force and was commmissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on September 30, 1949. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On November 14, 1952, a B-26 Invader (serial number 44-34699, call sign "Pacify 23") with a crew of four departed Pusan Air Base, South Korea, on a nighttime interdiction mission over North Korea. During the mission, the aircraft made a pass at an enemy ground target but went out of control during the attack run, and the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. The pilot parachuted to the ground, was captured by enemy forces, and eventually returned to U.S. custody. He related the details of the aircraft's loss but reported that he lost track of the other crew members after they bailed out, and was unsure of their fate. None of the other crew members were ever returned to U.S. custody or otherwise accounted for, and remain missing.
Missing in Action:
Brennan, A3C John Charles - Airman Brennan was born February 25, 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of May G. Brennan. He was a graduate of Groveton High School, Class of 1952. Airman Brennan had several siblings, including a brother named Robert "Bob" Brennan. Airman Brennan's name is on the Nielsen-Henderson list of prisoners of war.
Guthrie, 1Lt. Edward Shuldon Jr. - Lieutenant Guthrie was born November 20, 1926, the son of Edward Shuldon Guthrie Sr. (1898-1989) and Mary Louise Moore Guthrie (1894-1970). He was married to Anne Patricia Russell. Lieutenant Guthrie is on the Nielsen-Henderson list of prisoners of war. He attended the Citadel.
Neis, 1Lt. Ralph Andrew (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Neis was born October 15, 1925 in California. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Repatriated:
Schmidt, 1Lt. Andrew W. (pilot)
DPAA: On November 22, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34321A) with three crew members departed Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, for a night intruder operation along the main supply route between Sinuiju and Anju, Korea, known as "Purple 2." Roughly forty minutes after takeoff, the crew contacted a ground control station and reported the flight was over the island of Tae-Yon-Pyong-Do and inbound to its target area. No further communication from the Invader was received, and it did not return to base. Once it was overdue, checks were conducted at all friendly airfields but none reported having any details as to the whereabouts of the B-26 or its three crew members.
Missing in Action:
Fisher, 1Lt. Jack Alvin "Jack" or "Fish" (bombardier) - Lieutenant Fisher was born June 22, 1925 in New York, a son of Jesse Archibald Fisher (1896-1964) and Ruth Emma Luce Fisher (1898-1985). He had a son, Dale A. Fisher. His siblings were George R. Fisher (1922-2006), Fern J. Fisher Baldwin (1923-2000), Jane A. Fisher Hugg (1931-2015), Marjorie Onalee "Marty" Fisher Babo (1933-1995), June Fisher Lautner, Paul Fisher, Muriel Fisher Case, Carol Fisher Henry, and Glenn Fisher. Lieutenant Fisher was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Kahl, Maj. Gordon King (pilot) - Major Kahl was born September 03, 1919 in Baltimore County, Maryland. He was married to Helen Louise McRae (later Brink) (1921-2005) and they had a daughter, Linda Joyce (1945-1997).
Roumiguiere, 1Lt. John Henry (navigator) - Lieutenant Roumiguiere was born June 23, 1928 in Marin County, California, a son of Alphonse Raphael Roumiguiere and Joan B. Wilkens Roumiguiere (1894-1963). The couple's other son was Robert Alphonse Roumiguiere. Lieutenant Roumiguiere was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA report: Approximately two and a half hours after midnight on November 25, 1951, a B-26C Invader (tail number 44-34666) departed Pusan East Air Base with a crew of four. The briefed mission was a night interdiction operation targeting the main supply routes known as Green 2 and 3. Just before sunrise, the crew radioed air controllers reporting that the mission was complete, and the pilot was directed to fly the aircraft toward Hoengsong. Several minutes later, air controllers received a transmission from an unidentified source, believed to be the Invader's pilot, ordering his crew to bail out. No further contact was made with the aircraft. Search aircraft found no trace of the Invader or its crew. The reason for the aircraft's disappearance is unknown, though other pilots flying in this area at the time had reported icing conditions. All four of the Invader's crew members remain unaccounted for.
Missing in Action:
Harrell, Capt. Guy Buchanan Jr. (pilot) - Captain Harrell was born February 0 3, 1919 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, the son of Guy Buchanan Harrell Sr. (1881-1946) and Mary C. "Mamie" Harrell (1894-1962). He was married to Edith Virginia "Gee Gee" Swayze (1918-2022) and they had two children, Guy Buchanan Harrell III and Patti Harrell Gervin.
Parham, A1C Charles Easton Jr. (tailgunner) - Airman Parham was born June 17, 1922 in Granville County, North Carolina, a son of Charles Easton Parham Sr. (1898-1961) and Carolyn Harris Parham (1903-1964). His siblings were Annie Elsie Parham (1923-1923), Christine Parham Kelly (1925-2015), Albert Whitfield Parham (1927-1989) and Annie Louise Parham Ellis (1933-2004). Airman Parham was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Smith, 1Lt. James Dela Jr. (navigator) - Lieutenant Smith was born October 05, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of James Dela Smith Sr. He was a graduate of Wilson High School in Cherokee, Iowa. Lieutenant Smith was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Thompson, 1Lt. Charles Russell "Chuck" (bombardier) - Lieutenant Thompson was born May 06, 1928 in Anniston, Alabama, a son of Lt. Col. Charles Raymond "Tommy" Thompson and Kathryn Osborne Thompson of Sherman Oaks, California. His brother Al was a parapalegic due to a wound received in World War II. Chuck Thompson was a graduate of high school in Hollywood, California.
DPAA: On February 8, 1951, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34514A) carrying three crew members took off from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, on a combat mission against enemy targets in North Korea. A routine report was received from this aircraft one hour after its departure, stating it was inbound to the target area; there was no further radio contact with this Invader. When the aircraft failed to return to base, an aerial search was performed but did not locate the missing aircraft and its crew. A ground search was not possible since the loss area was under enemy control. It was later reported that the aircraft crashed in enemy-held territory. Two crew members were taken as prisoners of war and were later repatriated. The third crew member was not reported as a prisoner and remains unaccounted for.
Missing in Action:
Miller, 1Lt. Henry David - Lieutenant Miller was born March 28, 1921 in Lynn, Massachusetts, a son of Henry Kay Miller (1882-1961) and Mary Lambert Miller (1889-1954). His siblings were Bonetta Miller Noellsch (1916-2006) and Olen Kenneth Miller (1916-1916).
Official DPAA report: Late in the evening on December 18, 1951 a B-26B Invader (tail number 44-34704) with three crew members took off from Kunsan Air Base (K-8) in South Korea for a night intruder mission against targets of opportunity including trucks, ox carts and rail traffic along route Purple 5, the road between Pyongyang and Kunu-ri, North Korea. Forty-five minutes after takeoff, the crew sent a routine radio message stating they were inbound to the target area; there were no further transmissions received. The aircraft was officially reported overdue to K-8 the following morning and subsequent search efforts were unsuccessful. This Invader was believed to have been lost in enemy territory and its three aviators remain unaccounted-for.
Missing in Action:
Beeson, Capt. Jack Melvin (pilot) - Captain Beeson was born September 17, 1919 in San Francisco, California. He was the recipient of an Air Medal. China Broadcast reported him as a prisoner of war.
Grabosky, TSgt. John Eugene (tailgunner) - Sergeant Grabosky was born on February 15, 1919 in Pennsylvania, the son of John and Nellie Grabosky. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a World War II veteran.
Roberts, 1Lt. Martin Robert (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Roberts was born May 10, 1927 in Westmoreland City, Pennsylvania. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Official DPAA report: First Lieutenant Joseph Louis Dalmon, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was a member of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On January 21, 1951, he took off from Taegu Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-673) as the number four aircraft on a four-plane fighter escort mission for reconnaissance aircraft flying to Sinuiju, North Korea. The flight to the target area was conducted without incident, but as the formation flew home, they were attacked by a group of enemy MiG-15 fighters. During the ensuing engagement, 1st Lt Dalmon's Shooting Star was hit by enemy fire. The aircraft began a slow descent, and 1st Lt Dalmon did not respond to radio calls to pull up. The other pilots on the flight saw no sign of 1st Lt Dalmon attempting to regain control or bail out, and they eventually lost sight of his aircraft. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt Dalmon, 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 following the incident. Today, First Lieutenant Dalmon 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 Dalmon was born April 17, 1928 in California, the son of Mrs. Adrienne Dalmon. His sister was Yvonne Dalmon Croke. Lieutenant Dalmon was the recipient of an Air Medal with four Gold Leaf Cluster.
DPAA: First Lieutenant Ralph Edward Jacobs, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Missouri, was assigned to the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. Mid-afternoon on January 23, 1951, he departed Itazuke Air Base, Japan, flying an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-1854) as the number two pilot in a flight of four. The briefed mission was an armed reconnaissance operation targeting an area north of Chunchon, South Korea. While making a strafing run, the left-tip tank on 1st Lt Jacobs's aircraft became loose, resulting in a critical loss of airspeed. After jettisoning his right wing-tip tank and rockets, 1st Lt Jacobs was able to enter a slow climb. As he approached 3000 feet, he attempted to dislodge the left tank from the wing by making a left turn. During this maneuver, the Shooting Star suddenly rolled over and went into a tight spiral, crashing into the ground and exploding northeast of Hakkong-ni. No one from 1st Lt Jacobs' flight observed any sign of survival. At the time of the loss, Chunchon and the surrounding area was occupied by the North Korean Army, making it impossible to conduct a ground search at the crash site. In late 1951, Army Graves Registration Services ground searches failed to locate 1st Lt Jacobs or his aircraft. Additionally, no returning POWs mentioned contact with 1st Lt Jacobs, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Jacobs was born August 21, 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Guy Percival Jacobs (1892-1955) and Vinnie B. Witcher Jacobs (1892-1952). He was married to Wandas Lee Arlint (1923-2009) and they had sons Byron Edward Jacobs, Roger Calvin Jacobs, and Rodney James Jacobs.
Official DPAA report: Captain Richard Glenn Croskrey, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was a member of the 9th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On January 25, 1951, he took off from Taegu Air Base, South Korea, in a F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-825A) as the lead aircraft in a four-plane dive bombing mission against enemy rail targets near Sogu-ri, North Korea. The target area was partially obscured by smoke from prior bombing runs, and as Capt Croskrey made his run over the target, he flew through the clouds of smoke. Witnesses aboard other aircraft in the formation reported that CPT Croskrey's Shooting Star was on fire when it emerged on the other side of the target. The burning aircraft then crashed into a hill near the target and exploded. There was no indication that Capt Croskrey escaped the plane before it went down, and the presence of enemy troops in the area prevented a ground search of the crash site. His remains have not been located, and he was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody after the war. Captain Croskrey was born June 05, 1923, t he son of Benjamin and Loretta Finch Croskrey. His wife was Marguerite Croskrey. Captain Croskrey was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and an Air Medal with 21 Oak Leaf Clusters.
DPAA: Captain Arthur Earl Hutchinson, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Louisiana, was assigned to the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On the morning of January 29, 1951, Capt Hutchinson and his wingman were on standby alert at Itazuki Air Base, Japan. Thirty-minutes before noon, the flight was scrambled to intercept a bogey north of Iki-Shima Island. Captain Hutchinson departed Itazuki Air Base flying an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-850) as the number two pilot on the flight. The flight reached the designated area and discovered the unknown aircraft was a U.S. C-54 cargo plane. After reporting their findings, the flight was vectored to intercept another aircraft north of Oki-Shima Island. Twenty miles north of the island, Capt Hutchinson initiated a crossover maneuver and in the process disappeared from his wingman’s view. About 20-30 seconds later, Capt Hutchinson radioed that his engine had a flameout. After approximately one minute, as the flight leader attempted to locate his wingman, Capt Hutchinson reported that he was at 1,000 feet and bailing out. The flight leader immediately began a low-level search but was unsuccessful in locating Capt Hutchinson, who was not seen or heard from again. He is still unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Hutchinson was born July 02, 1924 in Mobile, Alabama, a son of Edmund Earl Hutchinson (1897-1979) and Rose Elisar Hutchinson (1903-1995). His siblings were Ella Rose Hutchinson Callaway (1925-2021) and William Roy Hutchinson (1928-2013). Lieutenant Hutchinson attended Jefferson parish schools and graduated from Kenner High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Air Force in July of 1943 and was sent to Japan in August of 1948. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Robert Edward Sternard was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-557) with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On January 29, 1951, while on a training mission, his aircraft's engine experienced a flame out. He crash landed short of the runway at Pohang Airfield (K-3). Lieutenant Sternard was born October 09, 1921 in Appleton, Wisconsin, the son of Edward Sternard. Lieutenant Sternard is buried in San Antonio National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas. [KWE Note: His parents might have been Edward Barthlome Stenard (1896-1972) and Evelyn M. Stenard (1903-1979) of California.]
1Lt. Edward Dennis Fleming was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-703) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On February 4, 1951, while on a combat missio during a rocket pass, his aircraft suffered an explosion and wing fell off and the aircraft crashed. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Fleming was born December 25, 1925 in Fresco County, California, a son of John W. Fleming (1894-1990) and Katherine Mary Roach Fleming (1899-1974). He was married to Clara B. Fleming. His siblings were Kathleen Mary Fleming Nevers (1922–2006), Cecelia A. Fleming (1923–1986), Juanita Fleming, Rose Marie Fleming, Judith Fleming, Regina Fleming, Beatrice Fleming, Judith Fleming, Geneva Ann Fleming Rogers (1927–2003), David Anthony Fleming (1932–2013) and Helen Christine Fleming Bomar (1933–2015). Lieutenant Fleming was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Capt. Cecil Odell Ware was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-693) with the 36th Fighter- Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On February 7, 1951, while departing on a combat mission, his aircraft suffered a power failure and crashed two miles north of Itazuke Air Base. Captain Ware was born March 01, 1919. He was married to Doris Mae Vest (later Savoy) (1920-2006) in 1939. Captain, Ware was the recipient of an Air Medal. He is buried in Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, Virginia.
Maj. Thomas Alexander Symington IV was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-548) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On February 13, 1951, after completing 3 attacks on targets east of Seoul, South Korea, his aircraft lost its wing and crashed. Major Symington was born July 12, 1921 in Los Angeles County, California, the son of Thomas Alexander Symington III (1885-1953) and Madelaine Cloud Symington. He was maried to Margo Phyllis MacKenzie (1921-2007) and they had two daughters, Sherry and Bonni Symington. A World War II veteran of the Pacific, he was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and an Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
2Lt. Jack Maynard Brock was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-804) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On February 20, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. For his leadership and valor, Second Lieutenant Brock was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Lieutenant Brock was born February 04, 1927, a son of Samuel Marion Brock Sr. (1884-1947) and Minnie Aberdeen Hill Brock (1886-1929). His siblings were Eugene E. Brock (1906–1967), Ruby Grace Brock (1908–1910), Ben Hooper Brock (1911–1979), Frank Napolean Brock (1913–1974), Samuel Marion Brock Jr (1916–2004), Reid Hill Brock (1918–1995), Lloyd Baxter Brock (1922–1985), and Newell H "Pop" Brock (1924–2013).
1Lt. Ray J. Van Den Beldt was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-1862) with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On February 26, 1951, while on a combat mission of dropping napalm on enemy forces near Hongchon, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and exploded. Lieutenant Van Den Beldt was born July 1 6, 1928 in Wyoming, Michigan. A World War II veteran, he was the recipient of a Bronze Star. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Capt. Robert Thomas Cannon Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-860) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On March 8, 1951, while on a combat mission of escorting a B-29 bomber in the Haeju area of North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Captain Cannon was born July 24, 1924, the son of Robert Thomas Cannon Sr. He was married to Cleo P. Cannon. Captain Cannon was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
Capt. Clarence Virgil Slack Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-1828) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On March 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire 10 miles north of Pyongyang, North Korea, crashed and burst into flames. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Slack was born March 01, 1925 in Wheeling, West Virginia, a son of Clarence Virgil Slack Sr. (1894-1966) and Elizabeth Virginia Gehring Slack (1893-1988). His siblings were Jane Lou Slack Irvine (1916-2006) and Harold Gehring Slack (1918-1968). He was a member of the USMA Class of 1945. Captain Slack was the recipient of an Air Medal and Silver Star.
DPAA: First Lieutenant Donald Russell Jenkins, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was assigned to the 38th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. Early in the morning on March 17, 1951, he departed Itazuke Air Base (AB), Japan, piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-558) as part of a four-ship combat mission over Korea. While en route to the target area, 1st Lt Jenkins became separated from the rest of his formation. When attempts to rejoin were unsuccessful, 1st Lt Jenkins was instructed to return to base. This was the last radio contact made with 1st lt Jenkins. After the flight leader landed, he took another Shooting Star searching for two hours around Itazuke, Pusan, Tis-Shima, and Iki-Shima. An additional four F-80s and an Air Rescue Service flying boat searched for the remainder of the day. All search efforts were unable to locate the missing pilot or his aircraft. He remains unaccounted-for. LIeutenant Jenkins was born December 18, 1928, in Aurora, Colorado, the son of Charles Jenkins (1908-1965) and Irene Gertrude Gary Jenkins (1909-1980). He was married to Nancy L. Jenkins. Lieutenant Jenkins was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Howard Julius Landry was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-1834) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On March 17, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft suffered a mid-air collision with a MiG-15 and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Landry was born September 19, 1926, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, the son of Julius Andrew Landry (1880-1961) and Hattie Anna Plank Landry (1888-1946). He was the recipient of an Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters.
First Lieutenant Albert Howard Bull was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-626) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On March 18, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, the bombs toggled, and the aircraft inverted and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on February 10, 1952. Lieutenant Bull was born June 04, 1926, a son of Albert W. Bull (1889-1980). He was married to Lois C. Bull. His brothers were Albert and Horace Bull. Lieutenant Bull was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
1Lt. Willie Jasper Wall Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On March 21, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions near Ichon, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, exploded and crashed. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Wall was born September 02, 1928, the son of Willie J. Wall. He was married to Joy L. Wall.
Captain Thomas Louis Van Riper, who joined the U.S. Air Force from New York, assigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On March 23, 1951, he took off from Taegu (K-2) Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (#49-1862) as the lead aircraft of a four-plane skip-bombing mission targeting a railroad tunnel near Sunan, North Korea. While passing over the target, Capt Riper's Shooting Star was hit by anti-aircraft fire, causing it to crash and explode near Sunan. He was not seen again. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt Van Riper, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He is still unaccounted-for. Captain Van Riper was born October 22, 1919 in Auburn, New York. He was married to Gladys M. Van Riper and they had a daughter Nicole "Nikki" Van Riper Durand. Captain Van Riper was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA: Captain Kenneth Joseph Granberg, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Maine, was a member of the 9th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On March 30, 1951, he departed Taegu Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 45-839A) as one of four aircraft on a skip-bombing mission targeting a railroad tunnel northeast of Sunchon, North Korea. After the flight completed its pass over the target, the flight leader directed them to strafe enemy ground targets in a small village north of Sunchon. Captain Granberg's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire while passing over the village, and it crashed nearby. Witnesses from other aircraft did not see any evidence that Capt Granberg bailed out, and there were no signs of life at the crash site. Heavy enemy presence in the area prevented ground investigations of the area. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Capt Granberg, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Captain Granberg was born March 21, 1925. He and his wife Geraldine were parents of a baby daughter. Captain Granberg was the recipient of a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Capt. Gordon Payne Humphries was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (tail number unknown) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On April 3, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed during take-off from Taegu Airfield (K-2), South Korea. Captain Humphries was born December 23, 1918 in Covington City, Virginia, a son of George Payne Humphries (1874-1944) and Mary Magdeline Paxton Humphries (1881-1954). He was married to Christine Beatrice Humphries. His siblings were Bessie Humphries Kelley (1901-1989), Edgar W. Humphries (1903-1956) and Arnold Lewis Humphries (190601975). Captain Humphries is buried in Cedal Hill Cemetery, Covington, Virginia.
DPAA: Second Lieutenant John Ellery Thompson, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Maine, was a member of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On April 7, 1951, he departed Taegu Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number unavailable) as part of a four-plane escort mission destined for Wonsan, North Korea. After reaching the target and being relieved of escort duties, the flight performed armed reconnaissance of roads and railroads in the area. During this reconnaissance, while flying southwest of Wonsan, 2nd Lt Thompson's Shooting Star was hit and damaged by enemy ground fire. The flight continued to Wonsan Harbor, where the flight leader advised 2nd Lt Thompson to bail out over a United Nations surface craft in the area. Shortly after this communication, 2nd Lt Thompson exited his aircraft, but failed to free himself from his ejection seat. He landed in the water, and did not reappear. A friendly helicopter was immediately dispatched to search for the pilot, but he could not be found. He was not seen or heard from again, and is still unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Thompson was born June 02, 1929 in Maine, the son of Laurel William Thompson (1905-1978) and Arline Loretta Wilder Thompson (1908-1988). He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Edward Norman "Ed" Alpern was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-569) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On April 8, 1951, while on a armed reconnaissance mission of supporting a rescue effort, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed five miles west of Yongyu-ri, Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on April 2, 1952. Lieutenant Alpern was born April 17, 1927, a son of Herman L. Alpern of New York. His siblings included Selig Sidney "Zeke" Alpern (1923-2020) and Elaine Alpern. Lieutenant Alpern was shot down on his 77th mission in Korea.
1Lt. Douglas Norman Matheson was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-1855) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On April 9, 1951, while dumping munitions at a bomb disposal area near Taegu, South Korea, the tip tanks malfunctioned causing the aircraft to crash. Lieutenant Matheson was born June 20, 1925 in Lethbridge Census Division, Alberta, Canada, a son of Hector N. Matheson. His siblings were Malcolm W. Matheson and Mrs. Lewis F. Ritchie. Lieutenant Matheson graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1943. After serving in World War II he attended the University of Washington before entering the Korean War. Lieutenant Matheson is buried in Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington.
1Lt. John W. "Jack" King was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-1850) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On April 15, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft developed engine problems and crashed into Fukuoka Bay, Japan. LIeutenant King was born July 20, 1916 in Oklahoma. He was married to Dorothy Boster (later Lengacher) (1917-2008) in October of 1938 and they had sons John William "Bill" Kimball, age six, and Phillip R. "Phil" King, age five months old. Lieutenant King was a member of Tulsa Air National Guard when he was called into active duty. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
1Lt. James Ellingwood Towle was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-553) with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On April 22, 1951, while on a combat mission northwest of Sunan, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Towle was born February 19, 1 927 in New Haven County, Connecticut, the son of Ellingwood Hubbard Towle (1893-1950) and Charlotte Marjorie Talmadge (Baut) (1898-1952). He married Dorothy A. "Dottie" Goodyear. His siblings included Marjorie Ann Towle (1918-1930), Mary Elizabeth Towle Smith (1919-1982), Rudolph Towle, and Jane T. Towle. Lieutenant Towle was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Capt. Lee Geoffrey Schlegel was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On April 23, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded five miles west of Chorwon, Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Schlegel was born September 12, 1925 in Kansas City, Kansas, a son of Leo Grant Schlegel (1894-1971) and Nell Esther Schlegel (1893-1976). He was married to Sheila Gordon. His brother was Jack Schlegel (1929-1945). Captain Schlegel was a member of the USMA Class of 1947. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Capt. Cornelius Elliott Scott was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-597) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On April 23, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames 10 miles northeast of Chokhyongdong and 8 miles southwest of Kumwha, Korea. Captain Scott was born April 13, 1923 in Deposit, New York, a son of Graydon Williams Scott (1891-1936) and Elizabeth "Betty" Ray Scott (later Zaczek) (1905-1990). He was married to Edna T. Scott and they were parents of four sons and a daughter. His siblings were Graydon Williams Scott (1927-2017), Curzon V. "Dick" Scott (1929-2011) and Mary E. Scott Cable (1925-2015). Captain Scott was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. He is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Deposit, New York.
DPAA: First Lieutenant Kenneth Leslie West Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was a member of the 7th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. On April 25, 1951, he took off from Taegu Air Base, South Korea, piloting an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-502A, call-sign “Art Able 4”) as the number four aircraft in a four-plane daylight bombing mission against targets near Sariwon, North Korea. After completing the primary mission, the flight was performing reconnaissance along the major supply route southeast of the town. While making a strafing pass on a target of opportunity in the vicinity of the village of Kitan-ni, 1st Lt West's Shooting Star crashed. Just as the number three aircraft was started to pull up, looking back to find his wingman, the pilot noticed black smoke rising. Making an aerial pass over the site, he reported that an open parachute was observed at the wreckage, but there were no signs of life in the area. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt West, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for following the incident. Lieutenant West was born October 14, 1 928, the son of Kenneth Leslie Wes Sr. (1911-1929) and Margaret Marie Littell (later Goodnight) (1911-1996). Lieutenant West was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Horace D. Martin Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-1844) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On April 26, 1951, while on a combat mission of dropping napalm, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into a ridge. California Birth Certificate Los Angeles, California, Horace Edmund Martin, Arlington National Cemetery gravestone cites middle initial "D." Confirmed middle name "Edmund" numerous records. Lieutenant Martin was born December 25, 1928, the son of Horace Martin Sr. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
1Lt. Dirck DeRyee Westervelt was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-1840) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On April 29, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, he managed to crash land at Seoul South Air Field (K-16), but died of the injuries received. Lieutenant Westervelt was born March 04, 1921 in Albany, New York, a son of William Irving Westervelt (1876-1960) and Dorothy Jocelyn Westervelt (1888-1981). His siblings were Peter Jocelyn Westervelt (1919-2015) and Jane Edgel Westervelt (1927-2022). Lieutenant Westervelt graduated from the USMA in 1945.
DPAA: First Lieutenant Charles Melvin Andrews, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Texas, was a member of the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On May 3, 1951, he piloted a single-seat F-80 Shooting Star (serial number 49-583A) on an armed reconnaissance mission over Sunan, North Korea. While strafing an enemy runway in Sunan, 1st Lt Andrews’s aircraft was hit by enemy gunfire, causing it to crash and explode at the south end of the runway. Witnesses to the incident reported that 1st Lt Andrews did not eject from the aircraft as it went down, and they saw no sign of him following the crash. Heavy enemy presence on the runway prevented ground searches for him, and he was not seen again. Attempts to recover his remains following the war were unsuccessful. Lieutenant Andrews was born November 30, 1928, the son of Melvin Andrews (1900-1973) and Eunice "Mae" Pearl Gant Andrews (1905-1980).
1L. James Lawrence Collins was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On May 8, 1951, while on a combat mission of bombing Pyongyang Airfield, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the airfield. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. LIeutenant Collins was born June 10, 1924 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Jack Charles Steinharter was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-791) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On May 8, 1951, while on a combat mission, he was strafing enemy positions one mile northeast of Mudang Hyon, Korea. His aircraft hit a ridge between Hills 713 and 667, crashed and burst into flames. Lieutenant Steinharter was born January 07, 1923 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Sidney Charles Steinharter (1888-1974) and Minnie Meyers Steinharter (1880-1940). His sister was Jeanne Helen Steinhart Cheney Larson Jones (1921- 2009). Lieutenant Steinharter attended Mirror Lake Junior Higth and St. Petersburg High School. He attended St. Petersburg Junior College before entering the military in January of 1943. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. Prior to joining the military he traveled the southern states as a musician in an orchestra. He is buried in Memorial Garden, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Official DPAA report: First Lieutenant Frank Daniel Bay, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was a member of the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On May 10, 1951, he piloted an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-1852) that took off from Itazuke Air Base, Japan, as part of a five-plane armed reconnaissance mission over Kumchon, North Korea. While strafing enemy ground targets in the mission area, 1st Lt Bay's aircraft crashed. Other pilots on the mission saw no signs of life at the crash site, and there was no indication that 1st Lt Bay had bailed out before the crash. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 2nd Lt Bay, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for following the incident. Lieutenant Bay was born February 17, 1926 in California, a son of George Phillip Bay II (1883-1927) and Mabel Wakefield Bay (1884-1972). His siblings included George Phillip Bay III (1921-2021) and Bertram Buck Bay (1923-1930). Lieutenant Bay was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Capt. Lewis Gene Haefele was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-1842) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter- Bomber Group. On May 12, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crash landed near Sogu-ri, North Korea and exploded. Captain Haefele was born July 09, 1922. His wife was Wilma C. Haefele. Captain Haefele is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Jacksonville, North Carolina.
1Lt. Robert Wheeler Gillespie was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-612) with the 26th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, U.S. Air Force. On May 12, 1951, he was on temporary duty with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. While on a combat mission against the marshalling yards at Sunan, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on January 31, 1954. Lieutenant Gillespie was born June 13, 1926 in Utah, the son of Allen and Myra Gillespie. He was the recipient of an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Capt. Robert Elias "Bob" Spragins was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-819) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On May 12, 1951, while on a combat mission near Chorwon, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, a napalm tank caught fire, lost the right wing, and crashed. Captain Spragins was born February 12, 1923, in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of Marion Biernes Spragins (1892-1973) and Georgia Lowry Spragins (1893-1970). A member of the USMA Class of 1945, he is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, Alabama.
1Lt. Frank Theodore Frey was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-1861) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On May 13, 1951, while providing a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) for a downed aircraft, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. Lieutenant Frey was born October 27, 1927, the son of Frank T. Frey (1888-1952) and Ellen A. Frey (1887-1931). Lieutenant Frey is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch, New Jersey.
Capt. Adrian Leonard "Spud" Christenson was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-449) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On May 13, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, its engine quit and the plane crashed 20 miles northeast of Hwachon Reservoir, North Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Christenson was born December 14, 1925, a son of Adrian and Mildred Christenson. His wife was Marie Christenson and his brother was Larry Christenson. Captain Christenson was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Capt. Carl Henry Oelschig Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-1853) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On May 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed two miles southwest of Kujangdong, North Korea. He was unable to eject successfully. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Oelschig was born September 14, 1916, in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Carl Henry Oelschig Sr. (1883-1949) and Josephine Denk Oelschig (1888-1967). He was married to Imogene "Gene" Keen Bethea (later McDougal) (1915-2008) in 1936. His only sibling was Augusta Denk Oelschig (1918-2000). Captain Oelschig was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
Capt. Charles Eads Coons was the pilot of a F-84E Thunderjet fighter (#49-687) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On May 19, 1951, while on a combat mission near Kumhwa, North Korea, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. Captain Coons was born December 13, 1926 in Cook County, Illinois, the son of Dwight Hartman Muckley (1889-1964) and Francis Eads Mulkey (later Coons) (1889-1964). Captain Coons' adoptive father was Robert Allen Coons. A member of the USMA Class of 1948, Captain Coons was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. Captain Coons is buried in Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
1Lt. Edwin Benjamin Reeser was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On May 25, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed on take-off from Tsuiki Air Base. died from injuries at 118th Station Hospital, Japan, on May 25, 1951. Nose wheel tire failure. Lieutenant Reeser was born June 16, 1924, the son of Harry and Mary Reeser. He is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California. Lieutenant Reeser was born June 16, 1924 in Long Beach, California, a son of Harry Courtney Reeser (1902-1961) and Fay Delo Reeser (1906-1969). He was married to Emmie Lou Maul (later Hagenback) on May 26, 1950. Their baby was due to be born the week Lieutenant Reeser was killed in Korea. His brother was Harry "Hal" Reeser and his sister was Mary Reeser Gielow. Lieutenant Reeser attended Venice grade and high schools and graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1942. He joined the Navy Air Corps and served in World War II. He attended Pomona College for two years and then graduated from Stanford University in 1949. He is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California.
1Lt. Donald Richard Torstad was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-560) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On May 23, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded near Mundung-ni, North Korea. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Torstad was born March 24, 1926 in Minnesota, a son of Knute Nelson Torstad (1888-1975) and Belle C. Johnson Torstad (1898-1977). His siblings were Norman Elmer Torstad (1922-2008), Kenneth John Torstad (1924-1995) and Sylvia Marie Torstad Huppler (1927-2021). Lieutenant Torstad was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Capt. Cecil Robert Wright was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (unknown tail number) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On May 23, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed on take-off and burned. Captain Wright was born August 08, 1920 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The World War II and Korean War veteran is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
1Lt. Jack Forrester was the pilot of a F- 80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-767) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On June 1, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire at 100 feet, burst into flames and crashed near Nunsu-ri, Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Forrester was born March 25, 1929 in Roodhouse, Illinois, a son of William Alexander "Bill" Forrester (1898-1959) and Gladys Donna Clark Forrester (later Curry) (1904-1999). His siblings were William Clark Forresterr (1921-1996) and Joan Forrester McLamar (1929-2004). Lieutenant Forrester was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Capt. Roger Elwood Kimball was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-820) with the 7th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On June 5, 1951, while on a combat mission near Chorwon (Pyongchon), Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire during a strafing pass, burst into flames and crashed.Captain Kimball was born August 22, 1920 in Orego, the son of Emmett Henry Kimball (1891-1971) and Iva Jane Wilson Kimball (1898-1922). . He was married to Helen Elaine Smith (later Bow), and they had sons Philip Roger "Phil" Kimball (1945-2011) and Stephen Kimball (age three when his father died on his 98th mission). The recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Captain Kimball is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Ontario, Oregon.
1Lt. Warren Franklin Polk was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (490519) with the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On June 13, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire near Kanggubi, Korea. He ejected and was taken Prisoner of War and died while a prisoner on October 31, 1951. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Polk was born May 07, 1928 in West Jonesport, Maine, the only child of Theodore Roosevelt "Jack" Polk (1902-1992) and Elva Cordelia Peabody Polk (199-1987). He was married to Betty Lou McCollum Polk. Lieutenant Pol was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Official DPAA report: First Lieutenant Shuman Harlan Black entered the U.S. Air Force from Pennsylvania and served with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On June 14, 1951, he piloted an F-80 Shooting Star (tail number 49-529-A) that took off from Suwon Air Base, South Korea, leading a four-aircraft flight on a combat reconnaissance mission against an enemy airfield near Sunchon, North Korea. As 1st Lt Black's Shooting Star made its run at the target, the aircraft exploded. Other members of the flight immediately attempted to establish radio contact with 1st Lt Black but were unsuccessful. An immediate close aerial search was prevented by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and further search efforts were impossible because the suspected crash site lay in enemy territory. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt Black, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Black was born May 02, 1927, a son of Andrew Shuman Black (1897-1969) and Dorothy Isabella Harlan Black (1907-1988). His siblings were Samuel Hicks Black (1931-2011) and Lois Ann Black Baumbach.
1Lt. Bob Alfred Lauterbach was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-875) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On June 26, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire four miles northeast of Sunchon, Korea, made a shallow dive and crashed. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Lauterbach was born on October 17, 1926 in Maricopa County, Arizona, the son of Alfred Gus Lauterbach (1888-1973) and Mona A. Burk Lauterbach (1899-1970). He was married to Margaret Kathryn Kent Lauterback. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
Capt. Arthur Jack Johnson was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-1829) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On June 28, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire near Sunchon, North Korea, crashed and burst into flames. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Johnson was born November 08, 1924, a son of Arthur Johnson (1895-1971) and Hazel Bernice Bertholf Johnson (1902-1949). He was married to Cecilia Rosa Kunz (later Sheppard) (1924-2017) in 1948. His siblings were Malcolm Glenn Johnson (1923-1990), Myrtle Pauline Johnson Thompson, Edward Martin Johnson (1930-1995), Hazel B. Johnson Thompson, and Glenda Ann Thompson Shepherd. Captain Johnson attended the University of California. He served in World War II and was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Will Clyde White was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-721) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On June 29, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft hit the top of a ridge near Twijae, caught fire, crashed and exploded. Lieutenant White was born March 27, 1918, the son of Emmett Matthew White (1893-1949) and Lida Mae Wood White (1900-1937). He was married to Kathleen R. White. Lieutenant White enlisted on July 09, 1941 and served in World War II and the Korean War. He is buried in New Live Oak Cemetery, Selma, Alabama.
On July 1, 1951, 1Lt. John James Flournoy piloted an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-1831) that took off from Kimpo (K-14) Air Base, South Korea, as the lead in a flight of four on a skip-bombing mission targeting a railroad tunnel and bridge in the village of Sunchon, North Korea. While in the target area, 1st Lt Flournoy and his wingman descended for an attack on the railroad tunnel. As they approached their target, 1st Lt Flournoy's F-80 suddenly exploded for unknown reasons, breaking into several pieces before falling to the ground and burning just northeast of Sunchon. There was no indication that 1st Lt Flournoy exited the aircraft before it went down. An aerial search over the crash site failed to reveal any signs of the downed pilot, and he was not seen again. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt Flournoy, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He was not identified among remains returned to the U.S. after the war and he remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Flournoy was born September 23, 1924 in Kansas, the son of John J. Flournoy (1893-1929) and Hazel Margaret Craig Andrew Flournoy Crosswhite (1897-1981). He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Capt. William H. "Red" Brockmire was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-5xx) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On July 2, 1951, while on a combat mission, when the aircraft's tip tanks released and struck the stabilizer, causing the aircraft to crash and burn. He was known as "Red." He was one of the founding members of the "Acrojet" aerobatic team flying out of Williams Air Force Base. The team later evolved into the "Thunderbirds." The Acrojet team also flew in a movie title "Air Cadet." Captain Brockmire was born May 11, 1922 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a son of William Brockmire (1975-1954) and Anna Marie Schrader Brockmire (1885-1964). He was married to Mary Louise Deever (later Hager) (1924-2003) in 1943 and they had two sons, Ronald and Lonnie Lee (1950-2011). His siblings were Arnold Charles (1904-1979), Hadley, Ralph David (1911-1983), Bill, Mrs. J.M. Dickey, Virginia L. Brockmire McNeil (1925-2016), Bessie Revine Brockmire Lipps (1906-1939), Violet Marie Brockmire Green (1913-1934) and Eloise Joean Brockmire Chessman (1916-2007). Captain Brockmire attended May Green School, Central High School, State College (graduating in 1940), and then joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He then attended Santa Maria Junior College in Santa Maria, California. He was killed on his 90th Combat Mission. He is buried in New Lorimier Cemetery, Cape Girardeau.
First Lieutenant Charles Herbert Blomberg was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-1833) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On July 7, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, exploded in mid-air and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Blomberg was born April 11, 1929. His wife was Gloria R. Blomberg. Lieutenant Blomberg was the recipient of an Air Medal.
2Lt. Cecil Rhodes Mohr Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-1803) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On July 11, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire. He took evasive action, but the aircraft crashed into a hill and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Mohr was born July 30, 1928 in Louisiana, the son of Cecil Rhodes Mohr Sr. (1902-1952) and Cleo McDonald Mohr (1907-1984). Lieutenant Mohr was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA report: First Lieutenant Irvin Earle Taylor, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, served with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 12, 1951, he piloted an F-80 Shooting Star (serial number 49-5384) that departed Kimpo Air Base as the third aircraft in a flight of eight on a glide bombing mission against enemy targets east of Kunu-ri. His Shooting Star was hit in the right wing by anti-aircraft fire while over the target and caught fire. The aircraft rolled over, struck the ground and exploded. The rest of the flight saw no parachute and no sign of life at the crash site. 1st Lt Taylor remains unaccounted-for following the ceasefire. Lieutenant Taylor was born June 28, 1924 in Kansas, the son of Harvey Earle Taylor. Lieutenant Taylor was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
Major Marlyn Carr Ford Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-886A) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. Major Ford was born on August 10, 1921 in Florida, the son of Marlyn Carr Ford Sr. (1897-1957) and Lillian Flynn Ford (1896-1984). He was married to Dorothy Marie Faxon (later Waters) (1926-2009) and they were parents of Suzanne (age 2) and Frances (age 10 months). Major Ford was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. John Shirley Starck was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-772) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 18, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire two miles west of Unhung-ni, Korea. Because of the aircraft's low altitude, his attempt to eject was unsuccessful. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on March 31, 1954. Lieutenant Starck was born June 12, 1928 in Canton, Ohio, the son of John J. Starck. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
2Lt. Harvey Milton Rountree was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star Fighter-Interceptor (49-1871) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter- Interceptor Group. On July 24, 1951, while training at the Omura Gunnery Range at Kyushu, Japan, his aircraft disintegrated in mid-air. Lieutenant Rountree was born September 10, 1928, the son of Harvey Corbett Rountree (1904-1956) and Gladys "Tink" Johnson Rountree (1908-1988). His sister was Ellen Rountree Pfeiffer (1930-2008). Lieutenant Rountree is buried in Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Capt. Cleland Davis With was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-816) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On July 28, 1951, while on a combat mission in the Sunan area of Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. His remains were not recovered. Captain Davis was born January 12, 1920 in Platte, South Dakota, a son of Holger With (1883-1970) and Mollie Belle Davis With (1892-1988). He was married to Pauline C. With and they had a daughter Adela "Della" With Labate. His siblings were Charles Benjamin With (1918–1975), Cullen Porter With (1922–1994), Elizabeth "Bette"Rose With Battista (1924–2018), Ella Marie With King (1926–1971) and Caroline With (1930–1931). Captain With was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and an Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
1Lt. Harold Burton Ward Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-922) with the 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter Bomber Group. On August 3, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions 12 east of Pyongyang, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Ward was born October 26, 1923, the son of Harold Burton Ward Sr. He was married to Anne L. Ward and they were parents of Steven Ward, who was three years old. Lieutenant Ward was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
1Lt. Mark Joseph Castellano was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-660) with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On August 10, 1951, while departing Kimpo Airfield (K-14) on a combat mission, the aircraft crashed on take-off. Lieutenant Castellano was born March 17, 1925. He is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois.
2Lt. Bruce S. Wilson was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-762) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On August 18, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft struck high tension lines and crashed. Second Lieutenant Wilson was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Lieutenant Wilson was born October 26, 1928 in Washington, D.C., the son of Kenneth David Wilson (1900-1994) and Anna Zoe Sutton Wilson (1906-1961). He is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
Capt. Emmett Napoleon Long was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a pilot of a F-80 Shooting Star fighter (#49-653) with the 25th Fighter-Intercepter Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On August 20, 1951, he departed Suwon Airfield (K-13) on a strafing mission to Chinnampo, North Korea. After the attack his plane flamed out and crashed and he was listed as Missing in Action. He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Long was born December 14, 1921 in Dillon, South Carolina. His wife was Harriet Katie Larson Long (1921-2007) and they had sons Robert and James. His brother was Frank Long. Captain Long was the recipient of a Bronze Star and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
2Lt. Edwin Felix Tabaczynski was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-552) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On August 20, 1951, while on a combat mission in the Hwang-ju area, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, exploded in mid-air and crashed. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Tabaczynski was born March 16, 1924 in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Felix Tabaczynski (1894-1972) and Stella Rose Lyczynski Tabaczynski (1896-1983). His sisters were Martha Mary Grover (1922-2024), Felicia Everett, Angela Snyder and Carolyn Gillespie. A World War II and Korean War veteran, Lieutenant Tabaczynski was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
1Lt. Robert Lee Martin was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-500) with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On August 24, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed into the sand at the edge of the water and exploded. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Martin was born July 13, 1929 in Berkeley, California, the son of Lee W. Martin (1889-1936) and Jennie Almina "Jane" Felt Martin 1891-1987). Lieutenant Martin was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross.
2Lt. Robert Oliver Lacey was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-766) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On August 29, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing camouflaged enemy vehicles 12 miles southeast of Sariwon, Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Lacey was born March 29, 1 927, the son of Lance Lacey. Lieutenant Lacey was born March 29, 1927, the son of Lance Lacey (1891-1992) and Vera M. Lacey (1898-1992). He was the recipient of an Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters.
1Lt. Sterling Joseph Bushroe was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-852) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On September 11, 1951, while on a combat mission in the Taechon-ni area, North Korea, his aircraft was shot down by a MiG aircraft. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Bushroe was born November 02, 1926 in Monroe County, Michigan, one of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel A. Bushroe. A graduate of Toledo Central Catholic High School, he was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. He was declared missing on his 53rd mission.
DPAA: 1Lt. Lewis Peifer "Buddy" Pleiss, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Indiana, served with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On September 23, 1951, he departed Suwon Air Base piloting an F-80 Shooting Star (serial number 49-862A) as the fourth aircraft in a flight of four on a dive bombing mission to Sukchŏn, North Korea. As the flight reached their assigned target, they encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire. After the first pass over the target, the flight leader asked the flight to check in, but 1st Lt Pleiss could not be reached on the radio. The other three flight members did not see a crash and performed an aerial search for the crash site, but were unsuccessful. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with 1st Lt Pleiss, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Pleiss was born August 31, 1928 in New Albany, Indiana, the son of Clarence Harvey Pleiss (1902-1986) and Harriet Elizabeth Peifer Pleiss (1903-1987). His sister was Virginia Pleiss. Lieutenant Pleiss was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA: First Lieutenant William Alexander Pugh Jr. entered the U.S. Air Force from Alabama and served with the 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On September 23, 1951, he piloted an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number A-077035) that took off from Suwon Air Base, Korea, as the second of four fighters on a glide bombing mission against a railroad target near Sinanju, North Korea. After completing its primary mission, the flight made strafing passes at enemy targets in the village. As 1st Lt Pugh pulled out of his pass, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He was informed by other pilots that his plane was on fire and trailing smoke. He later radioed that he was shutting his engine down but no further transmissions were heard from 1st Lt Pugh. His aircraft was then observed in a steep glide, as it crashed into the Chinnampo estuary. The aircraft sank immediately, and witnesses saw no sign of 1st Lt Pugh or a parachute. 1st Lt Pugh's remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict and he remains unaccounted-for. Lieutenant Pugh was born August 27, 1926 in Alabama, a son of William Alexander Pugh Sr. (1891-1957) and Gertrude Dunn Pugh (1904-1984). His siblings were Harold Dean Pugh (1927-2017) and Martha Jane Pugh McNabb (1930-2012). Lieutenant Pugh was the recipient of an Air Medal.
2Lt. Wilbert William Grammer was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-752) with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On September 30, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded near Pyongyang, North Korea. Lieutenant Grammer was born January 30, 1927, the son of Nicholas John Grammer (1890-1969) and Della Hall Grammer Smith (1908-1982). He was married to Carole E. Liggett on March 05, 1951. His siblings were Arested Grammer (1930-1930), Dolly G. Grammer (1931-1992) and half brother Phillip Lee Grammer Sr. (1934-2007). Lieutenant Grammer was a graduate of Dunbar High School and then attended Morris Harvey and Marshall Colleges. Lieutenant Grammer was the recipient of an Air Medal.
DPAA: Captain Donald Wilbert Akers, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was assigned to the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. Just after noon on October 4, 1951, he took off from Suwon (K-13) Air Base, Korea, flying an F-80C Shooting Star (tail number 49-656A), in a flight of four. The briefed mission was a routine training operation. During the flight, while pulling out of a dive-bombing pass and approaching level flight, Capt Akers' aircraft appeared to do a half roll to the left and struck the water inverted. The Shooting Star then crashed into the Asan Bay, approximately 10 miles west Pyongtaek (K-6) Air Base, exploding on impact. Searches of the area were unable to locate the aircraft or the pilot. He remains unaccounted-for. Captain Akers was born April 26, 19 24 in California, the stepson of Elliotte G. Morgan and Loraine W. Morgan. He was the husband of Barbara Brewster Akers. A graduate of Fremont High School, he received a Distinguished Flyin Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and an Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
1Lt. Sidney Redd Mullikin Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor(49-1878) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter- Bomber Group. On October 9, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed into a hill three miles west of Hyopkye-ri, Chunghwa, North Korea. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Mullikin was born April 30 1926 in Broward County, Florida, the son of Sidney Redd Mullikin Sr. (1898-1969) and Arna Victoria Mozo Mullikin (later Bonenberger) (1903-1990. He was married to (1) Helen J. Beatty in 1945 and (2) Myrtle Frances Sapp (1947). Lieutenant Mullikin was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Capt. James Lee Treester was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-544) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On October 11, 1951, while on a combat mission south of Kunu-ri, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Captain Treester was born August 02, 1 924, the son of Harold Bruce Treester (1899-1973). Captain Treester's daughter is Mrs. Andy Cutler. Captain Treester was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Louis Thomas Esposito was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-695) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 22, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, exploded in mid-air and crashed near Koma-dong and Hoechang, North Korea. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Esposito was born December 13, 1924. His brother was Jimmy Esposito. Lieutenant Esposito was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal.
1Lt. David Warfield was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-598) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On October 29, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft developed engine trouble. He was unsuccessful at bailing out over water. Lieutenant Warfield was born January 24, 1926 in Texas, the son of John Marion and Corinne Slade Warfield. He was married to Linnie Farrell (later Holly) (1932-?). They were parents of a son David Rush Wrfield (1951-1951). Lieutenant Warfield was the recipient of an Air Medal.
Capt. Howard Algernon Wilson Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-805) with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group. On October 30, 1951, while on a combat mission near Sohung, North Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed inverted and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. Captain Wilson was born June 17, 1921 in Pennsylvania, a son of Howard Algernon Wilson Sr. (1891-1961) and Jessie Lee Williams Wilson (1898-1959). He was married in1943 to Catherine Mae "Kitty" Wilson (1920-1996) and they had sons Howard A. Wilson and James Wilson. His siblings were Emma Wilson Wiegand and William Jackson Wilson (1927-2008).
2Lt. Michael Paul Kovalish was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-815) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On November 4, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy troops, the aircraft's engine caught fire and the plane crashed into a hill. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Kovalish was born September 03, 1926, in Russelton, Pennsylvania, the son of Anna Kovalish. His siblings were Sophia, Mary, Margaret, and Anthony (killed in France in World War II.)
1Lt. Jerome Aloys Volk was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-845) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On November 7, 1951, while on a combat mission of strafing enemy positions, his aircraft's wing tanks fell off and the plane crashed. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Volk was born March 17, 1925, in Harvey, North Dakota, the son of Aloys Volk. He was married to Jeanne Phyllis Volk. He enlisted in 1945. Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Wisconsin is named after him.
1Lt. Thomas Erle Hadley II was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-491) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On November 9, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, rolled over and crashed into a hill near Kangdong, North Korea. Lieutenant Hadley was born July 27, 1929, the son of Thomas Erle Hadley Sr. (1903-1981) and Constance Arlene Cook Hadley (1903-1997). Lieutenant Hadley attended Morgan Park Military Academy in Illinois and graduated from Lincoln High School in Ferndale-Pleasant Ridge, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan before joining the Air Force. He is buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.
1Lt. Rafael Anthony Du Breuil was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (#49-531) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter- Bomber Group. On November 27, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft and three others were attacked by 18 MiGs. His plane went into a 45 degree dive and crashed. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Per John Stearns on location and details: One report, Case No. 369 has it at "6228 I" and Case No. 577 has the crash location at "YD 1741". Date of crash was 27 Nov 51. The remarks were that 'due to snow on the ground it is possible for the pilot to parachute from 19,000 feet and not be seen" . One report from a Russian pilot, Major Os'kin, states he shot down an F80 on that date at that location and his report indicated the pilot was captured. However, a report of Soviet Air-to- Air Victories reports that a Russian pilot named Vasili Ostapenko shot down Ray Du Breuil on that date. Lieutenant DuBreuil was born November 18, 1929, the son of George W. and Virginia DuBreuil. His siblings were George W. Jr. and Marguerite DuBreuil Stearns. Lieutenant DuBreuil was a 1947 graduate of Miami Andrew Jackson High School. Lieutenant DuBreuil was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. William Clifford Womack was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-765) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 1, 1951, after a combat mission, he landed at Kimpo Air Base (K-14), refueled and took off. He crashed into a nearby mountain south of the air base. Lieutenant Womack was born July 12, 1928, a son of William Lafayette "Dooley" Womack (1899-1959) and Mamie Lorena Banta Womack (1900-1982). His siblings were Frances Maurine Womack Thomas (1921–1983), Mavis N Womack Carmichael (1925–2007), Jaunel Womack Bybel (1926–2004), and Frida Beth Womack White (born 1931). Lieutenant Woman was buried in Lamesa Memorial Park, Lamesa, Texas.
1Lt. Richard Edward Cronan Jr. was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-472) with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. On December 12, 1951, he was flying his aircraft in the area of Khuwa-ri, Korea in support of the Canadian 25th Brigade. His plane lost its wing tanks, rolled and crashed in the side of a mountain while on a napalm run. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Cronan was born April 13, 1925, the son of Richard E. and Kathleen G. Cronan. He was the recipient of an Air Medal.
1Lt. Edgar Byron Gray was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor (49-846) with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On December 14, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. Lieutenant Gray was born August 05, 1926, the son of James Leon Gray (1878-1938) and Minnie M. Wyatt Gray (1887-1968). His siblings were L.B. Gray and Lon Gray. His half siblings were Jake Horace Gray (1906-1970), Ruby Rose Gray Goodwin (1911-2004) and Thomsy Juanita Gray Standifer (19001986).
1Lt. Regis Aloysius Sellers was a member of the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. He was listed as Missing in Action while participating in aerial support over Korea on December 18, 1951 in his F-80C #49-688. He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Lieutenant Sellers was born July 12, 1929. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.