468^th Bomb Group China-Burma-India Losses

42-6229 – 793^rd Bomb Squadron – Model B-29-1-MO – Delivered to USAAF on 2/24/44. Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/15/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/7/44.

India Combat Missions – 2

Hump Missions – 2

Crashed at end of runway on mission to Yawata, June 15, 1944.

At take off Captain Hughes in 42-6229 crashed at the end of the runway. As the ship was immediately enveloped in flames, ammunition cooked off and the bombs exploded. It was most certainly a miracle that every member of the crew got out safely with only minor scratches, burns and shock.

Crew

Capt. R.E. Hughes – AC

2^nd Lt. C.E. Troyer – CP

2^nd Lt. M.H. Pickard – N

2^nd Lt. D.C. McComas – B

2^nd Lt. S.G. Wolf – FE

S/Sgt. R.A. Singleton – R

Lt. J.B. Jett – V

Sgt. E.A. Shiver – CFC

S/Sgt. B.F. Smith – RG

S/Sgt. W.P. Scott – LG

S/Sgt. E.C. Hill – TG

42-6271 – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 12/19/43 – Model B-29-5-BW – Departed Smoky Hill on 4/13/44 for India and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/5/44.

Hump Missions – 1

Abandoned enroute to A-7 on 6/7/44. Crash occurred near Loshan in Szechwan Province, now known as Sichuan Province.

On June 7, 1944, while on a routine cargo mission over the hump, Major Pattillo and crew in 42-6271 were forced to bail out. The bail out occurred near Ho Shan, China. The cause was basically due to a run a way prop. The prop could not be feathered and soon all the oil was used up in attempting to feather the propeller. Nine members of the crew were rescued in five days. The body of Sgt. E.H. Tidy was found floating in a river 3 miles from the scene of the accident two days later. The remaining member of the crew Lt. G. Matthews has not been reported and is still MIA. 1^st Lt. R.L. Cournoyer, reported as he floated down, the airplane started to dive straight at him. The airplane passed so close that his chute was deflated momentarily by the prop wash. He further stated that 42-6271 did two chandelles; dove straight for the ground for about 3000 feet, pulled up and finally dove to the ground. 42-6271 was completely demolished.

James Pattillo’s Statement: Bail out due to dragging runaway prop almost 200 miles without getting it slowed down, being above clouds over three hours with Navigator unsure of position and losing 7,000 feet with emergency power on remaining engines, still sinking into what appeared to be mountains. The crew of 42-6271 bailed out in a relatively straight line with a river winding below which we weren’t aware of because of the clouds beneath us. Pattillo bailed out with three engines running at emergency power, therefore, when his hands left the aileron controls 42-6271started turning into the dead engine, once he stopped holding the nose, it dropped and 42-6271 went into a diving turn to the left, airspeed then started building up. Airspeed finally became so high that 42-6271 started climbing, after climbing slightly it started into a second dive and kept this up until it hit the ground.

Crew

Maj. James Pattillo – AC

2^nd Lt. Geoffrey Matthews – CP – MIA

2^nd Lt. Donald V. Irby – B

1^st Lt. Richard M. Cournoyer – N

FO Ralph M. Roberts – FE

2^nd Lt. Robert M. Humphrey - R

Sgt. Eric H. Tidy – RG - KIA

Sgt. Claude F. Frey - TG

Sgt. Henry G. Brogden - CFC

Sgt. T.M. Keegan – RO

Sgt. Stephen M. Klusovsky - LG

42-6230 – “Limber Dugan” – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 2/19/44 – Model B-29-1-MO – Departed Smoky Hill on 4/15/44 for India and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/4/44.

India Missions – 2

Hump Missions – 1

Mission to Yawata on June 15, 1944, reported as MIA. Missing Air Crew Report Number: 6596

Toru Fukubayashi report – 42-6230 crashed in Takasu, Wakamatsu City, Fukuoka Prefecture – 12 KIA – According to the GHQ/SCAP Report Number 1241, 12 crew members were on B-29 42-6230. One was a passenger whose name was Mr. William Shenkel rank and serial number unknown.

First B-29 shot down over Japan by WO Sadamitsu Kimura, who caught the Superfortress in the searchlights from below and started to attack. “I approached it to within 20 or 30 meters, suddenly everything became white because of the reflected light off the big fuselage of the enemy plane, which filled my gun sight. It started to climb in fear of being rammed by me. I did not hesitate, I started to fire and I could tell that I hit it. The nose came down slowly and it started to spin, I saw one piece of the fin come off”.

Captain Ivanovic and crew were never heard from after takeoff.

Crew

Capt. D.D. Ivanovic – AC

2^nd Lt. C.M. McMichael – P

1^st Lt. C.A. Fisher – N

1^st Lt. G.A. Johnson – B

2^nd Lt. D.W. Simonson – FE

S/Sgt. H.G. Levy – RO

2^nd Lt. R.J. Hymel – R

Sgt. R.C. Arnds – CFC

Sgt. J.C. Dupuis – RG

M/Sgt. J.W. Goodroe – LG

S/Sgt. A.W. Davis – TG

42-6314 – 793^rd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 1/20/44 – Model B-29-10-BW – Departed Smoky Hill on 4/13/44 for India and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/3/44.

Hump Missions – 1

On June 8^th Lt. Sloan’s crew returning from a normal cargo mission in 42-6314 to A-7 was reported missing.

Crew

1^st Lt. Leslie J. Sloan – AC

2^nd Lt. Carl B. Ray – P

2^nd Lt. Frank W. Holms – N

2^nd Lt. Vincent R. Casazza – B

2^nd Lt. Robert E. Casey – FE

S/Sgt. William C. Lane – R

2^nd Lt. Charles D. Gray – V

Cpl. William L. Shufelt – CFC

Cpl. Virgil W. Bailey – RG

Sgt. Francis D. Reed – LG – KIA

Cpl. Glen H. Moore – TG

1^st Lt. Sloan and crew reported missing since June 8^th on a return flight from A-7 to India finally turned up with harrowing stories of 29 days in the Chinese hinterland and their stories with the Lolo Tribe. Sgt. Francis P. Reed was unfortunately reported killed in the crash of 42-6314 as his body had been identified in the wreckage near Leipo, China.

42-6243 – “Roger the Lodger” – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 1/31/44 – Model B-29-1-BA – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/10/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/11/44.

India Combat Missions – 3

Hump Missions – 6

August 10, 1944 Mission to Naval Base at Nagasaki, Japan.

Due to mechanical failure, Major Brown and crew were forced to bail out near Taogan, China. All crewmembers were rescued in five days.

Crew

Maj. H.R. Brown – AC

1^st Lt. J. Goeringer – CP

1^st Lt. A.C. Beach – N

2^nd Lt. W.E. Stern, Jr. – B

F/O J.C. Martin – FE

S/Sgt. J.S. Barto – RO

Sgt. R.B. Mogle – V

S/Sgt. J.I. Chobot – CFC

S/Sgt. M.F. Plant – LG

S/Sgt. B. Patterson – RG

S/Sgt. D. Nebeker, Jr. - TG

42-6274 – “Lady Hamilton” 794^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 12/20/43 – Model B-29-5-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/14/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/17/44.

India Combat Missions – 2

Hump Missions – 10

Captain Robert Mills and his newly arrived alternate crew were flying “Lady Hamilton 42-6274 on their first mission to Anshan on July 29, 1944. They lost an engine enroute to the primary target and elected to go to the secondary target. A Japanese Zero shot them down over China. Most of the crew walked out and returned to A-7 safely, the following three crewmembers have not been heard from and the crewmembers reported only seeing one other parachute. KIA were A/C Captain Robert Mills, S/Sgt Walker, CFC and S/Sgt. Richard F. Wehrle, Radar Operator. MACR 6946

Crew

Capt. Robert G. Mills – AC – KIA

1^st Lt. E. Moe – CP

2^nd Lt. Rollins – FE

2^nd Lt. R. Scandrett - B

2^nd Lt. E.W. Peterson – N

S/Sgt. Joe Goodfriend, Jr. – RO

S/Sgt. F.S. Walker – CFC – KIA

S/Sgt. Theodore W. Lehmann – RG

S/Sgt. J. Wesley Mayer – LG

S/Sgt. Arthur H. Stein – TG

S/Sgt. Richard F. Wehrle – R – KIA

42-6253 – “Windy City” 794^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 11/28/43 – Model B-29-1-BW – Departed Smoky Hill on 4/13/44 for India and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/8/44.

India Combat Missions – 4

Hump Missions – 8

“Windy City” 42-6253 made a belly landing at A-7 and was lost to the 15^th Repair Squadron on 8/22/44 after returning from Yawata mission. She was scrapped in the CBI on 10/11/44.

Crew

Capt. Gust Askounis – A/C

2^nd Lt. John K. Schaefer – CP

1^st Lt. Jim Ward – FE

1^st Lt. Jim Rutlege – N

2^nd Lt. Jack Diamond – B

Tech. Sgt. William Mann – RO

S/Sgt. Fred D. Brownwell – CFC

S/Sgt. Herman K. Sigrist – RG

S/Sgt. Edward J. Mertz – LG

S/Sgt. Therman Hassinger – TG

2^nd Lt. William R. Arentsen – R

42-6238 – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 11/8/43 – Model B-29-1-MO – Departed Smoky Hill on 4/15/44 for India and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/24/44.

India Combat Missions – 1

Hump Missions – 18

42-6238 was converted to a tanker in the CBI.

Lost October 1, 1944 routine cargo mission, weather involved.

On October 1, 1944 aircraft 42-6238, piloted by Captain Winkler of the 792^nd Bomb Squadron crashed on a routine cargo mission to the Advance Base, under circumstances which left little doubt that all on board perished. Aboard 42-6238 as passengers were Captain Thomas Maxwell, Medical Officer and T/Sgt. S.C. Spillers, Crew Chief of 42-6238.

Crew – All KIA

Capt. Eddie Winkler – AC

1^st Lt. Robert Purvis – CP

2^nd Lt. John Geene – FE

2^nd Lt. Earl Thompson - N

Maj. John Matthews – Passenger

Capt. Thomas Maxwell – Passenger

T/Sgt. Jack Raymond – RO

T/Sgt. Ward Clark – Crew

S/Sgt. Henry Eyerman – Crew

T/Sgt. Samuel Spillers, Jr. – Crew Chief

42-6255 – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 12/13/44 – Model B-29-5-BW – Departed Smoky Hill on 4/10/44 for India and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 4/18/44.

No Missions

On May 1, 1944, two B-29’s were dispatched to make the first trips over the Hump to the 468^th Base at China. Lt. Sims’s crew was in 42-6255. Fifty miles north of Jorhat, Lt. Sims’s crew were forced to bail out, number 2 engine on fire and fire could not be controlled, 42-6255 on her Maiden Flight was four hours into the flight and at 23,000 feet. The plane was a total loss. Members of the crew were picked up within 2 days. Lt Pottol, Radar Operator, was found drowned in a river near the scene of the crash.

Crew

Lt. Sims – AC

Lt. Dick Smith – CP

Lt. Bob Harden –

Lt. Bloes – B

Sgt. William McCarthy – Passenger

Sgt. Frank J. Lewis – Crew Chief

Lt. Pottle – R – KIA

Sgt. Ernie Dunlevy – Crew

Cpl. Armando J Maceyra - Passenger

42-6231 – 794^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 1/26/44 – Model B-29-1-MO – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/10/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 4/29/44.

India Combat Missions – 1

Hump Missions – 3

Crashed on return from Yawata, June 16, 1944, MACR 6599.

The crew was known as Crew #6, which was reported missing from the Yawata Raid. It was later reported that all men were killed when B-29 42-6231, in which they were flying, crashed into a mountain about 100 miles north of their base in China.

Crew

Maj. Kenneth L. Akins – AC – KIA

2^nd Lt. Floyd E. Lund – CP – KIA

2^nd Lt. Salvador Munoz, Jr. – KIA

1^st Lt. Paul R. Aeh – KIA

2^nd Lt. Timothy J. Barrett – KIA

Sgt. Norvel G. Robertson – KIA

Sgt. Arnold H. Mann – KIA

Sgt. Homer B. Pack, Jr. – KIA

Sgt. Sidney Gilman – KIA

Sgt. Mell Witcher- KIA

S/Sgt. William H. Sorenson – KIA

These men were held in high esteem and they will not be forgotten as our Squadron endeavors to carry on in the destruction which they and we came over to deal to our enemy….794^th Squadron

42-6235 – 795^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 1/2/44 – Model B-29-1-BA – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/17/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 6/10/44.

Last of the original crews to leave Smoky Hill.

No Missions

6/26/44 Crashed and surveyed.

After arriving in India 42-6235 had to have all four engines changed. 42-6235 was a total loss due to retraction of the landing gear while taxiing. There were no injuries.

Crew

Capt. Boyce C. Anderson – AC

2^nd Lt. Frederick N. Corvinus – CP

2^nd Lt. Robert Feldman – FE

2^nd Lt. Charles Morissi – B

2^nd Lt. Richard H. Stillions – N

Sgt. Eugene Sommerville – RO

Sgt. Alexander D. Coan – CFC

Sgt. William C. Hubbard – RG

Sgt. Paul R. Hunt – LG

Sgt. John N. Pletcher – TG

1^st Lt. Owen T. Barry II – R

M/Sgt. Edward F. Hilbert – Crew Chief

42-6264 – “O’Reilly’s Daughter” – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 12/16/43 – Model B-29-5-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/13/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 4/29/44.

India Combat Missions – 5

Hump Missions – 5

42-6264 was lost returning from the Yawata Raid August 21, 1944, crew reported MIA. MACR 11297 – Lt. Col. Savoie was the Commanding Officer of the 792^nd Bomb Squadron. At the China coast Col. Savoie had Pickett on his right wing and Van Horne on his left wing. They picked up their course for the bomb run and on the course ahead the enemy had put up flak in a box pattern for them to fly through. Pickett’s B-29 was hit and went down, Col. Savoie’s 42-6264 got through but were them attacked by fighters and 42-6264 was hit and losing altitude. They bailed out near the China coast.

In September word was received that 5 crew members of 42-6264 had reached the safety of Chinese guerrilla forces behind Japanese lines in occupied China. 1 crew member was captured by the Japanese and 6 KIA.

On November 18, 1944, Col. Savoie, former Squadron Commander, 792^nd, Capt. O’Brien Navigator, Lt. Stelmach FE, Lt. Lutz CP, and S/Sgt. Brundage CFC, returned to the 468^th Bomb Group India base. They were forced to bail out due to two runaway props which could not be feathered. Some of the crew bailed out over the Yellow Sea and have not been heard from since. All five crew members appeared before the Evasion and Escape Board. The Board decided that all five men should be returned to the United States. All five departed for the U.S. on November 25, 1944.

Crew

Lt. Col. Savoie – AC- Rescued

Capt. O’Brien – Rescued

Lt. Lutz – Rescued

Lt. Stelmach – Rescued

Sgt. Brundage – Rescued

S/Sgt. James P. Meehan – POW – Liberated

Capt. Louie K. Wedel – KIA

T/Sgt. William A. Beckham – KIA

T/Sgt. Walter W. Alspaugh – KIA

S/Sgt. Granville L. Adams – KIA

T/Sgt. Rollin B. Hefferman – KIA

1^st Lt. R.C. Geyer - KIA

42-6362 – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 2/22/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/10/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 4/19/44.

India Combat Missions – 10

Hump Missions – 7

Takeoff crash 11/21/44 Omura mission, 10 KIA, 1 Survivor.

Captain Maisch crashed shortly after takeoff. He made a normal takeoff but 42-6362 settled into some trees one half mile off the south end of the runway. He lost one of his left engines due to the fact that the prop hit a large tree, breaking off part of one of his blades. 42-6362 pulled off to the left with the left wing down and the right wing up in a very step turn, 42-6362 never pulled out and went into the ground left wing first, cartwheeling. The tail gunner was found 75 feet from the scene of the crash.

Crew

Capt. H.C. Maisch – AC – KIA

Lt. O.E. Whitley – CP – KIA

1^st Lt. E.R. Johnson – FE – KIA

2^nd Lt. P.L. Westbrook – N- KIA

2^nd Lt. F.E. Meredith – B – KIA

2^nd Lt. J.G. Christie – R – KIA

S/Sgt. R.J. Peterson – RO – KIA

T/Sgt. R.R. Brown – RG – KIA

Sgt. H.B. Jackson – CFC – KIA

S/Sgt. O.A. Pegg – LG – KIA

Sgt. Holst – TG – Survived

42-6368 – “Calamity Sue” – 794^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 2/24/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/13/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/4/44.

India Combat Missions – 4

Hump Missions – 3

August 20, 1944, Yawata Raid was hit by pieces of 42-6334, which was rammed by a Japanese fighter piloted by Sgt. Shigeo Nobe.

Crashed in Einumaru, Orio-Cho, Yawata City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Two crewmembers of 42-6368 were captured shortly after the landed and were moved to Seibu Army Headquarters, then moved and imprisoned in Omori POW Camp and returned to the USA after the war. One crewmember of 42-6368 was captured the next day and moved to Ofuna POW Camp and later to Omori POW Camp and returned to the USA after the war. One crewmember of 42-6368 died of his wounds on 24 August 1944 at Kokura Army Hospital.

1^st Lt. Jimmy Wine landed safely and escaped to the mountains. He appeared at Ashiya Air Field on 31 August 1944 and fought against the Japanese soldiers with his pistol and was shot to death.

Crew

Capt. Ornell J. Stauffer – KIA

Lt. B.R. Bloom – KIA

Lt. A.C. Shott – POW – Liberated

T/Sgt. R.W. Bonner – KIA

S/Sgt. J.J. Karlovich – KIA

Sgt. R.J. Keelan – KIA

Lt. Jimmie Wind – KIA – 8/31/44

Lt. I.S. Newman – POW – Liberated

T/Sgt. W.A. Dansby – POW – Liberated

S/Sgt. C.A. Martin – KIA

S/Sgt. J.A. O’Brien – KIA

****One crewmember of 42-6368 listed as KIA above died of his wounds on 8/24/44.

42-6334 – “Gertrude C” – 794^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 2/4/44 – Model B-29-10-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/14/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/4/44.

India Combat Missions – 2

Hump Missions – 5

August 20, 1944, Yawata Raid was rammed by a Japanese fighter and crashed in Jinnohara, Orio-cho, Yawata City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

On August 20, 1944, Col. Robert Clinksdales was leading his four aircraft diamond formation in 42-6334, which was named after his mother. 4th Sentai’s Sgt. Shigeo Nobe maneuvered his Nick fighter into 42-6334 flight path. He banked the fighter to the right so that his right wing came vertical to 42-6334 the fighter sliced into 42-6334’s left wing between the tip and number one engine. 42-6334 exploded in a fireball. The entire crew was KIA along with Col. Clinksdales cocker spaniel, Sally, who was along for the ride. Col. Clinksdale was the Commanding Officer of the 794^th Bomb Squadron.

Crew

Lt. Col. R.S. Clinksdale – AC – KIA

Lt. D.A. Castleberry – KIA

Capt. G.S. Kadinger – KIA

Capt S.S. Smyth – KIA

Lt. D.E. Himage – KIA

M/Sgt. Loy. F. Baker – KIA

M/Sgt. W. Richards, Jr. – KIA

T/Sgt. J.T. Fitzpatrick – KIA

S/Sgt. P.S. Brouillard – KIA

M/Sgt. C.L. McHeny – KIA

Lt. D. Hamadi – KIA – 15^th Maintenance Squadron an observer

Sally – KIA

42-6365 – “General H. H. Arnold Special” – 794^th Bomb Group – Delivered to USAAF 0n 2/24/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/14/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 4/29/44.

India Combat Missions – 12

Hump Missions – 11

November 11, 1944, target the Omura Aircraft Factory.

From over the target 42-6365 reported that it was low on gas and nothing further was heard from 42-6365. MACR 9664

42-6365 ended up in Vladivostok, Russia, the crew and 42-6365 were interned by the Russians and then later released/escaped into Iran. The crew never saw 42-6365 again.

Crew

Capt. Weston H. Price – AC – Interned – Released

1^st Lt. John Flanagan – CP – Interned – Released

1^st Lt. Eugene Rutherford – FE – Interned – Released

1^st Lt. Melvin Sherer – N- Interned – Released

1^st Lt, Edwin Morrison – B – Interned – Released

T/Sgt. David Pletter – RO – Interned – Released

T/Sgt. Henry J. Stavinski – R – Interned – Released

S/Sgt. Frank A. Weed – CFC – Interned – Released

S/Sgt. John Bardunias – RG – Interned – Released

M/Sgt. Donald Larkin – LG – Interned – Released

S/Sgt. Millard S. Cook – TG – Interned – Released

M/Sgt – Jack Hague – Crew Chief

42-6358 – “Ding Hao” – 794^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 2/23/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/14/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/3/44.

India Combat Missions – 9

Hump Missions – 10

Interned Vladivostok, Russia from Omura on 11/21/44. MACR 9865

AC Misckish diverted to Vladivostok, Russia, from Omura with minor battle damage. The Russians interned the crew and 42-6358. The crew never saw 42-6358 again. They were released/escaped into Iran.

Crew

1^st Lt. William J. Mickish – AC – Interned – Released

2^nd Lt. John K. Schaefer – CP – Interned – Released

1^st Lt. James W. Ward – FE – Interned – Released

1^st Lt. Jack A. Diamond – N – Interned – Released

1^st Lt. James R. Rutledge – B – Interned – Released

T/Sgt. William Mann – RO – Interned – Released

S/Sgt. Fred B. Brownwell - CFC – Interned – Released

S/Sgt. Herman K. Sigrist – RG – Interned - Released

S/Sgt. Edward J. Mertz – LG – Interned – Released

S/Sgt. Therman Hassinger – TG – Interned – Released

2^nd Lt. William R. Arentsen – R – Interned – Released

42-63357 – 794^th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 2/16/44 – Model B-29-1-BA – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/14/44 and crashed enroute to Kharagpur to join 468^th Bomb Group.

No Missions

42-63357 Commanded by Maj. Blackmore made a crash landing, due to engine failure, at Karachi, India, April 21, 1944. Five were KIA. The CP and RO were seriously injured and were returned to the United States. Lt. E.A. Castleberry did an outstanding job removing the men from 42-63357 in Karachi.

In May 1944, Lt. Castleberry was cited for outstanding contribution to the Squadron who rendered a performance “beyond the line of duty” at Karachi, India. He was recommended by the Board of Awards and Decorations to receive the “Soldiers Medal”

Crew

Maj. Earnest L. Blackmore – AC – KIA

Lt. E.A. Castleberry – CP

1^st Lt. Roy H. Anderson – CP (2) – Seriously Injured

Lt. Paul A. Endlich – FE – KIA

2^nd Lt. Richard McChesny – N – KIA

2^nd Lt. Donald E. Baxter – B

S/Sgt. James R. Green – RO – Seriously injured

Cpl. Benjamin C. Ridgeway – CFC

S/Sgt. Gordon E. Prestebak – RG

Sgt. William C. Lester – LG – KIA

Sgt. Christopher D. Montagno – TG – KIA

Sgt. John Havey – R

M/Sgt. Willis A. White, Jr. – Crew Chief

42-6370 – “Lethal Lady” – 793^rd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 2/19/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/10/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 4/20/44.

India Combat Missions – 8

Hump Missions – 5

42-6370 lost on 11/5/44 mission to Singapore. MACR 9577.

Col. Ted S. Faulkner, the Commanding Officer of the 468th Bomb Group, commanded 42-6370. Also on 42-6370 were the 468^th Bomb Group Bombardier, Maj. Harve Johnson and 468^th Bomb Group Navigator Major Robert T. Arnoldus. All personnel of the Group have felt the loss of these men who have contributed so much to the successful operation of the Group.

Search planes were dispatched and Naval vessels in the area were notified but no trace of the crew or 42-6370 was discovered except reports from another B-29 seeing empty rafts at 42-6370 last known location.

Crew

Col. Ted S. Faulkner – AC – 468^th Group Commander – KIA

Lt. Ike Eigler – CP – KIA

Maj. Harve Johnson – N- 468^th Bomb Group Navigator – KIA

Maj. Robert. T. Arnoldus – B – 468^th Bomb Group Bombardier – KIA

Lt. Pete Peterson – R – KIA

FO Ed Kennedy – FE – KIA

S/Sgt. Emerald T. Queen – TG – KIA

S/Sgt. Albert B. Gruber – RG - KIA

S/Sgt. Buster Westbrook – LG – KIA

Sgt. William Glibbon – RO – KIA

Sgt. Ward Miller – CFC – KIA

42-93826 – 793^rd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 2/29/44 – Model B-29-1-BN – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/13/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 5/3/44.

Hump Missions – 1

June 15, 1944, Yawata Raid, 42-93826 and crew are reported missing, although there were six locations that gave 42-93826 a position fix. 42-93826 and crew have not been heard from since early morning of the 16^th. MACR 6601.

In July 1944 it was reported that 42-93826 had crashed into a mountain 200 miles from Chengtu, China, and the entire crew were KIA and buried by the Chinese.

Crew

1^st Lt. Richard M. Pilchard – AC – KIA

2^nd Lt. Rai P. Sturges – CP – KIA

2^nd Lt. John T. Roberts – N – KIA

2^nd Lt. Donald R. Mortins – B – KIA

2^nd Lt. Jack R. Bevan – FE – KIA

2^nd Lt. H.B. Meyers – R – KIA

S/Sgt. Delbert L. Grimes – RO – KIA

Cpl. Lambert A. Pfeiffer – CFC – KIA

Sgt. Robert P. Sharples – RG – KIA

Sgt. Ralph V. Ferracane – LG – KIA

S/Sgt. William F. Quirke – TG – KIA

1^st Lt. Henry Escher – Observer from XX Bomber Command – KIA

42-24469 – “Wham Bam” - 793^rd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 5/19/44 – Model B-29-25-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 8/14/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 9/6/44.

India Missions – 17

Hump Missions – 6

On March 2, 1944, 42-24469 was hit by flak over the target. Damage caused by antiaircraft fire, lost one engine which feathered too far and wind milled in the opposite direction, pressurization was lost and the crew was on oxygen over the target, bombs would not release electrically or mechanically over the target, a hole was punctured in the left horizontal stabilizer 18 inches in diameter. Full rudder trim had to be set up to keep 42-24469 stabilized, #2 and #3 engine throttles were out due to linkage being torn away and the pilot’s manifold pressure gauges were out. #1 and #2 carburetor air heat gauges and #1 and #3 cylinder head temperature gauges were destroyed on flight engineer’s panel, flak punctured the navigator’s table, both bomb bay tanks and passed completely through the upper front turret and rear bomb bay, drift meter and radio compass were knocked out.

42-24469 one hour away from target and over water, giving the gas reserve and condition of 42-24469 was given the order for the crew to bail out, bail out was at 2000 feet. 10 were rescued and one crewmember MIA.

MACR 12874.

Crew

1^st Lt. Ellestad – AC – Rescued

1^st Lt. W.H. Willis – CP – Rescued

1^st Lt. J.D. Burton – N – Rescued

1^st Lt. E.H. Light – B – Rescued

1^st Lt. S.G. Wolfe – FE – Rescued

T/Sgt. O.H. Ellenberger – R – Rescued

S/Sgt. P.R. Halliday – RO – Rescued

S/Sgt. H.A. Thomas – LG – Rescued

S/Sgt. J.W. Speer – TG – Rescued

S/Sgt. H.A. Peterson – CFC – Rescued

S/Sgt. Dean C. Clark – RG – MIA/KIA

42-24704 – “The Gear Box” – 793^rd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 9/8/44 – Model B29-45-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 11/26/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 12/5/44.

India Missions – 7

January 11, 1945, mission to Singapore 42-24704 Major Humphrey’s crew with Lt. Col. Billings as copilot have been listed as missing since the time their radio “bombs away” message was received. It was reported that there were severe and persistent fighter attacks to and from the target. A plane from another Group reported seeing what he believed to be 42-24704 from the 468^th Bomb Group with one and possibly two engines feathered 30 minutes past the target along the Malacca Straits; the reporting aircraft request 42-24704 to join them but no answer was received. MACR 10879.

42-24704 crashed in Malaya. Several crewmembers were killed when 42-24704 was shot down or died of injuries shortly after the crash. Several were captured by the Japanese and held in a POW camp in Singapore for the remainder of the war. Four, including Maj. Donald Humphrey, managed to evade capture and spent time with a communist guerrilla band in Malaya, one of the four died before the war ended, the others were not able to return to US military control until after Japan’s surrender.

Those killed were Lt. Col. Robinson Billings, the mission commander and Copilot of 42-24704, T/Sgt. M.A. Kundrat the Radio Operator and Tailgunner S/Sgt. R.E. Spratt. Those captured were 1^st Lt. M.J. Govednik the Radar Observer, CFC S/Sgt. J.A. McDonald, Left Gunner T/Sgt. H.D. Gillett and Right Gunner T/Sgt. Ralph Lindley. Those evading capture were Major Donald Humphrey the Aircraft Commander, Navigator Capt. C.A. Hansman (who died before the war ended), Bombardier 1^st Lt. William Duffy and Flight Engineer 1^st Lt. Earnest C. Saltzman.

Crew

Maj. Donald J. Humphrey – AC – Fought with guerrilla band

Lt. Col. Robinson Billings – CP – KIA

Capt. Carl A. Hansman – N – KIA fighting with guerrilla band

1^st Lt. William F. Duffy – B – Fought with guerrilla band

1^st Lt. Earnest E. Saltzman – Fought with guerrilla band

T/Sgt. Michael A. Kundrat – RO – KIA

1^st Lt. Martin J. Govednik – R – POW

S/Sgt. John McDonald – CFC – POW

T/Sgt. Ralph C. Lindley – RG – POW

T/Sgt. Harold D. Gillett – LG – POW

S/Sgt. Roulier E. Spratt – TG – KIA

42-6389 “Party Girl” – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 3/2/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/10/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 4/21/44.

India Combat Missions – 8

Hump Missions – 5

December 7, 1944, mission to the Mukden aircraft factory from forward base in China. MACR 10100.

42-6389 failed to return from the mission and was contacted 1 hour and 15 minutes from A-7. The element leader contacted 42-6389 and told A/C Lt. Lyons to break up formation in order to start descent through the undercast. 42-6389 answered back and started a 360-degree turn, which is normal procedure for aircraft flying in the #3 position. The element leader started a descend into the undercast but upon finding that ice was beginning to form on the wings very quickly decided to climb above the undercast and make a quick descent in the general area of A-7. 42-6389 was never seen again after starting the 360-degree turn.

Crew

1^st Lt. Calvin L. Lyons – AC – KIA

2^nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma – CP – KIA

1^st Lt. Waldo B. Schneider – N – KIA

1^st Lt. John A. Bucher – B – KIA

1^st Lt. James W. Smith – FE – KIA

S/Sgt. Joseph Micciche – RO – KIA

S/Sgt. Neuman A. Bodart – R – KIA

S/Sgt. William B. Jackson – CFC – KIA

S/Sgt. Sisto A. Aldieri – LG – KIA

S/Sgt. Lavern A. Fink – RG – KIA

S/Sgt. Russell W. Peters – TG – KIA

42-24494 – “Mary Ann” – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 5/13/44 – Model B-29-30-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 7/3/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 7/19/44.

India Combat Missions – 16

Hump Missions – 12

January 17, 1945, mission to Formosa.

42-24494 had an engine failure immediately after take off. When just over the edge of the field on the final approach 42-24494 had a runaway prop, forcing the plane to overshoot it’s landing. Major McPherson, A/C, attempted to salvo his bombs “safe” from an altitude of 250 feet but the bombs exploded upon hitting the ground, damaging the control cables. All of the crew bailed out, but four members were killed due to the fact that their chutes did not open in time. Three of these four men fell on a high hill, precluding any chance of their chutes having time to open.

Crew

Maj. Clarence C. McPherson – AC

1^st Lt. Martin D. Roe - N

1^st Lt. D.V. Irby – KIA

1^st Lt. S.E. Gray – KIA

S/Sgt. R. Wilson – KIA

S/Sgt. William H. Shaw – KIA

42-6408 “Reddy Teddy” – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 3/29/44 – Model B-29-20-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 6/5/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 6/25/44.

India Combat Missions – 3

Hump Missions – 5

August 20, 1944, mission to Yawata, hit by flak and attacked by Japanese fighter who gave position to ground what altitude then peeled away. 42-6408 had an explosion near the front as it was hit by flak, 42-6408 was on fire and going down and the crew bailed out. MACR 9687.

42-6408 crashed in Saienba, Kokura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 3 crewmembers were KIA and 8 crewmembers were POW’s. Seven were moved to Tokyo and imprisoned in Omori POW Camp and returned to the United States after the war. 2^nd Lt. Edward Roberts died of his wounds at Shimonseki Army Hospital on August 21, 1944, after being mistreated with serious wounds.

Crew

1^st Lt. Ernest A. Pickett – AC – POW – Liberated

2^nd Lt. William R. Rewitz – CP – POW – Liberated

2^nd Lt. Harrison Robins – N – Possible POW died in captivity

2^nd Lt. Edwin S. Roberts – B – POW – Died in captivity

F/O Mark S. Kennard – FE – POW – Liberated

2^nd Lt. Robert M. Humphrey – R – POW – Liberated

S/Sgt. Charles Kazarian – RO – POW – Liberated

S/Sgt. Robert C. Armstrong – CFC – POW – Liberated

S/Sgt. Richard R. Bishop – RG – POW – Liberated

S/Sgt. Samuel M. Henry – LG – KIA

S/Sgt. Samuel A. Nixon – TG – KIA

42-24504 – “Gunga Din” – 792^nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 6/3/44 – Model B-29-30-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 7/23/44 and gained by the 468^th Bomb Group on 8/27/44.

India Combat Missions – 4

Hump Missions – 2

Omura raid October 25, 1944.

42-24504 A/C Major Parsons, crashed approximately one minute after take off. All crewmembers were KIA and 42-24504 was a total loss. Capt. Harold Barber accompanied Major Parsons and crew for a checkout mission, he had just arrived from the States with a new plane and crew. Takeoff was at night so to arrive over Omura in the early hours of daylight

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