468th Bomb Group China-Burma-India Losses 42-6229 – 793rd 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 468th 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 2nd Lt. C.E. Troyer – CP 2nd Lt. M.H. Pickard – N 2nd Lt. D.C. McComas – B 2nd 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 – 792nd 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 468th Bomb Group on 5/5/44. Hump Missions – 1 Abandoned enroute 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. 1st 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 42-6271bailed 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 2nd Lt. Geoffrey Matthews – CP – MIA 2nd Lt. Donald V. Irby – B 1st Lt. Richard M. Cournoyer – N FO Ralph M. Roberts – FE 2nd 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” – 792nd 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 468th 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 2nd Lt. C.M. McMichael – P 1st Lt. C.A. Fisher – N 1st Lt. G.A. Johnson – B 2nd Lt. D.W. Simonson – FE S/Sgt. H.G. Levy – RO 2nd 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 – 793rd 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 468th Bomb Group on 5/3/44. Hump Missions – 1 On June 8th Lt. Sloan’s crew returning from a normal cargo mission in 42-6314 to A-7 was reported missing. Crew 1st Lt. Leslie J. Sloan – AC 2nd Lt. Carl B. Ray – P 2nd Lt. Frank W. Holms – N 2nd Lt. Vincent R. Casazza – B 2nd Lt. Robert E. Casey – FE S/Sgt. William C. Lane – R 2nd 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 1st Lt. Sloan and crew reported missing since June 8th 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” – 792nd 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 468th 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 1st Lt. J. Goeringer – CP 1st Lt. A.C. Beach – N 2nd 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” 794th 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 468th 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 1st Lt. E. Moe – CP 2nd Lt. Rollins – FE 2nd Lt. R. Scandrett - B 2nd 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” 794th 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 468th 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 15th 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 2nd Lt. John K. Schaefer – CP 1st Lt. Jim Ward – FE 1st Lt. Jim Rutlege – N 2nd 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 2nd Lt. William R. Arentsen – R _______________________________________________________ 42-6238 – 792nd 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 468th 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 792nd 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 1st Lt. Robert Purvis – CP 2nd Lt. John Geene – FE 2nd 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 – 792nd 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 468th 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 468th 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 – 794th 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 468th 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 2nd Lt. Floyd E. Lund – CP – KIA 2nd Lt. Salvador Munoz, Jr. – KIA 1st Lt. Paul R. Aeh – KIA 2nd 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….794th Squadron _______________________________________________________ 42-6235 – 795th 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 468th 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 2nd Lt. Frederick N. Corvinus – CP 2nd Lt. Robert Feldman – FE 2nd Lt. Charles Morissi – B 2nd 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 1st Lt. Owen T. Barry II – R M/Sgt. Edward F. Hilbert – Crew Chief _______________________________________________________ 42-6264 – “O’Reilly’s Daughter” – 792nd 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 468th 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 792nd 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 426264 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, 792nd, Capt. O’Brien Navigator, Lt. Stelmach FE, Lt. Lutz CP, and S/Sgt. Brundage CFC, returned to the 468th 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 1st Lt. R.C. Geyer - KIA 42-6362 – 792nd 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 468th 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 1st Lt. E.R. Johnson – FE – KIA 2nd Lt. P.L. Westbrook – N- KIA 2nd Lt. F.E. Meredith – B – KIA 2nd 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” – 794th 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 468th 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. 1st 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” – 794th 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 468th 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 were KIA along with Col. Clinksdales cocker spaniel, Sally, who was along for the ride. Col. Clinksdale was the Commanding Officer of the 794th 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 – 15th Maintenance Squadron an observer Sally – KIA _______________________________________________________ 42-6365 – “General H. H. Arnold Special” – 794th 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 468th 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 later released/escaped into Iran. The crew never saw 42-6365 again. Crew Capt. Weston H. Price – AC – Interned – Released 1st Lt. John Flanagan – CP – Interned – Released 1st Lt. Eugene Rutherford – FE – Interned – Released 1st Lt. Melvin Sherer – N- Interned – Released 1st 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” – 794th 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 468th 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 and the crew and 42-6358 were interned by the Russians. 42-6358 was never seen by the crew again. They were released/escaped into Iran. Crew 1st Lt. William J. Mickish – AC – Interned – Released 2nd Lt. John K. Schaefer – CP – Interned – Released 1st Lt. James W. Ward – FE – Interned – Released 1st Lt. Jack A. Diamond – N – Interned – Released 1st 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 2nd Lt. William R. Arentsen – R – Interned – Released _______________________________________________________ 42-63357 – 794th 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 468th 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 1st Lt. Roy H. Anderson – CP (2) – Seriously Injured Lt. Paul A. Endlich – FE – KIA 2nd Lt. Richard McChesny – N – KIA 2nd 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” – 793rd 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 468th 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. 42-6370 was Commanded by Col. Ted S. Faulkner, the Commanding Officer of the 468th Bomb Group. Also on 42-6370 was 468th Bomb Group Bombardier Maj. Harve Johnson and 468th Bomb Group Navigator Major Robert T. Arnoldus. The loss of these men who have contributed so much to the successful operation of the Group has been felt by all personnel 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 location. Crew Col. Ted S. Faulkner – AC – 468th Group Commander – KIA Lt. Ike Eigler – CP – KIA Maj. Harve Johnson – N- 468th Bomb Group Navigator – KIA Maj. Robert. T. Arnoldus – B – 468th 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 – 793rd 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 468th 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 which gave 42-93826 a position fix. 42-93826 and crew have not been heard from since early morning of the 16th. 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 1st Lt. Richard M. Pilchard – AC – KIA 2nd Lt. Rai P. Sturges – CP – KIA 2nd Lt. John T. Roberts – N – KIA 2nd Lt. Donald R. Mortins – B – KIA 2nd Lt. Jack R. Bevan – FE – KIA 2nd 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 1st Lt. Henry Escher – Observer from XX Bomber Command – KIA _______________________________________________________ 42-24469 – “Wham Bam” - 793rd 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 468th 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 1st Lt. Ellestad – AC – Rescued 1st Lt. W.H. Willis – CP – Rescued 1st Lt. J.D. Burton – N – Rescued 1st Lt. E.H. Light – B – Rescued 1st 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” – 793rd 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 468th 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 4224704 from the 468th 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 1st 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 1st Lt. William Duffy and Flight Engineer 1st 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 1st Lt. William F. Duffy – B – Fought with guerrilla band 1st Lt. Earnest E. Saltzman – Fought with guerrilla band T/Sgt. Michael A. Kundrat – RO – KIA 1st 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” – 792nd 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 468th 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 426389 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 1st Lt. Calvin L. Lyons – AC – KIA 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma – CP – KIA 1st Lt. Waldo B. Schneider – N – KIA 1st Lt. John A. Bucher – B – KIA 1st 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” – 792nd 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 468th 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 1st Lt. Martin D. Roe - N 1st Lt. D.V. Irby – KIA 1st Lt. S.E. Gray – KIA S/Sgt. R. Wilson – KIA S/Sgt. William H. Shaw – KIA _______________________________________________________ 42-6408 “Reddy Teddy” – 792nd 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 468th 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. 2nd Lt. Edward Roberts died of his wounds at Shimonseki Army Hospital on August 21, 1944, after being mistreated with serious wounds. Crew 1st Lt. Ernest A. Pickett – AC – POW – Liberated 2nd Lt. William R. Rewitz – CP – POW – Liberated 2nd Lt. Harrison Robins – N – Possible POW died in captivity 2nd Lt. Edwin S. Roberts – B – POW – Died in captivity F/O Mark S. Kennard – FE – POW – Liberated 2nd 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” – 792nd 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 468th 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 Crew Maj. Edward F. Parsons – AC – KIA Capt. Harold W. Barber – CP – KIA 1st Lt. Arglllyle E. Hanscom – N – KIA 2nd Lt. Franklin J. McDonald – B – KIA 2nd Lt. Boyd W. Ebel – FE – KIA Sgt. Louis L. Pfeifer – RO – KIA Cpl. Wallace E. Martin – CFC – KIA S/Sgt. Warren F. Wood – RG – KIA S/Sgt. John Fowler – LG – KIA T/Sgt. Paul H. Coburn – R – KIA S/Sgt. Rube E. Puckett, Jr. – TG – KIA 42-6356 – “Gusher” – 792nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to USAAF on 2/23/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/10/44 and gained by the 468th Bomb Group on 5/9/44. Hump Missions – 20 August 25, 1944, Capt. Winkler and a crew of 6 delivered fuel to China in 42-6356. During their return they had a runaway prop, causing them to bail out near Sikang. All are reported safe at Fulin with 2 of the crew with minor injuries. Capt. Winkler, F/O Thompson and S/Sgt. Stone returned to base in September 1944. The rest of the crew were forced to remain in Fulin, China due to transportation difficulties. Crew Capt. Winkler – AC F/O Thompson S/Sgt. Stone _______________________________________________________ 42-24446 – 792nd Bomb Group – Delivered to the USAAF on 5/9/44 – Model FB-29-25-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 6/18/44 and gained by the 468th Bomb Group on 6/30/44. India Combat Missions – 4 Photo Missions – 7 Photo Reconn B-29. Returning from a photo recon on October 20, 1944, from the Philippines prior to McArthur’s “Return”, fog in Chengtu area, 42-2446 runs out of gas trying to find the airfield. Crewmembers that bailed out safely reported the #1 engine had been feathered. On final approach #4 engine caught on fire, the order to bail out was given by Capt. Lindke and Lt. Wilson, S/Sgt. Christensen, S/Sgt. Rupp who happened to be riding in the front of 42-24446 jumped safely through the nose wheel well. Lt. Ramsey left in the same manner and S/Sgt. Tucker left through the rear hatch, but both suffered a similar fate when their parachutes caught fire from the burning engine. All other crewmembers were lost in the crash. Cpl. Hastings, the photographer, who had been riding in the front of 42-24446 escaped through the nose wheel well. Crew Capt. Paul Lindke – AC – KIA 1st. Lt. Charles Youmans – CP – KIA Lt. Milton W. Ramsey – FE – KIA 2nd Lt. Roy D. Houser – N – KIA Lt. William Wilson – B S/Sgt. Donald L. Christensen – RO S/Sgt. Donald V. Wagner – R – KIA S/Sgt. William R. Hampton – CFC – KIA S/Sgt. Claude V. Tucker – RG – KIA S/Sgt. Arthur H. Stein – LG – KIA S/Sgt. Albert Rupp – TG Cpl. Hastings – Photographer 42-24678 – “Kickapoo Lou” – 792nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 8/31/44 – Model B-29-45-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 11/30/44 and gained by the 468th Bomb Group on 12/13/44. India Combat Missions – 9 Hump Missions – 1 March 2, 1945, mission to the Singapore Naval Base. 42-24678 was hit by flak over the primary target and went down in flames, the crew bailed out. Fighter opposition was moderate but the flak was intense and accurate. Two heavy cruisers were in the Jahore Straits together with ground batteries they threw up predicted concentration at every formation. Crew Capt. Edward G. Millar – AC – POW 2nd Lt. Carl F. Moulton – CP – POW 1st Lt. Robert E. Presender – N – POW 1st Lt. Lucius Beebe – B – POW F/O Bernard G. Feigener – FE – POW S/Sgt. Jasper F. Byerly – RO – POW S/Sgt. Thomas Goodger – CFC – MIA S/Sgt. John S. Gibson – RG – POW T/Sgt. Clarence M. Newcome – R – POW S/Sgt. Frank Hillebrand – LG – POW S/Sgt. Morris J. Shrader – TG – POW 42-63395 – 792nd Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 5/31/44 – Model B-29-10-BA – Departed Morrison for India on 8/31/44 and gained by the 468th Bomb Group on 9/15/44. India Combat Missions – 7 Hump Missions – 1 December 7, 1944, crashed returning from Mukden. 42-63395, Capt. Martin’s crew crashed upon landing from the Mukden mission. As 42-63395 approached the field, A-7, the nose section was completely iced up and 42-63395 was very low on gas. 42-63395 fell from about 40 feet, the right wing sagged, hitting the ground and causing 42-63395 to swerve off the runway to the right. Two crewmembers were sustained slight injuries. 42-63395 was a complete wreck. Crew Capt. Martin – AC 42-6390 – “Gallopin’ Goose” – 794th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 3/4/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/13/44 and gained by the 468th Bomb Group on 5/4/44. India Combat Missions – 10 Hump Missions – 5 December 7, 1944, 42-6390 was rammed over Mukden. MACR 10101. S/Sgt William Wootten in his claim of the Japanese fighter that rammed 42-6390 described the scene: “The fighter came in at us low and I gave him 50 rounds when he was 400 yards away. The fighter’s right engine started smoking and burning. Sgt. Wootten saw pieces of the canopy fly off. Going down out of control and smoking profusely, the fighter then pulled up and slipped under 42-6390, hitting the left horizontal and vertical stabilizer of 426390 tearing them off. I saw one parachute come out of 42-6390 before it hit the ground. About 15 minutes from the target, Sgt. Shinobu Ikeda of the 25th Dokuritsu Chutai, flying a “Nick” made a tail run against “Windy City II” 42-24886 and gunners hit the right engine of the twin engine interceptor and set it on fire, they also shattered the canopy. Sgt. Ikeda dived down, regained control of his fighter and intentionally rammed the tail section of 42-6390 and 42-6390 went straight down. Crew Capt. Robert E. Parrish – AC – KIA 1st Lt. Adrian A. Walters – CP – KIA 1st Lt. R.H. Roseland – N – KIA 1st Lt. Patrick E. Collins – B – KIA FO W.M. Barber – B – KIA Sgt. Joseph M. Clarke – R – KIA S/Sgt. John Lopez – RO – KIA S/Sgt. F.S. Mac Issac – CFC – KIA S/Sgt. H.A. Moorhead – LG – KIA S/Sgt. R.J. Turner – RG – KIA S/Sgt. R.J. Pope – TG – POW/Liberated 42-6369 – 793rd Bomb Squadron – Delivered by the USAAF on 2/21/44 – Model B-29-15-BW – Departed Smoky Hill for India on 4/13/44 and crashed enroute to India at Karachi on 4/21/44. Crashed enroute to India at Karachi on 4/21/44 trying to land in dust storm. Darden - AC 42-24715 – 794th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 9/14/44 – Model B-29-45-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 11/24/44 and gained by the 468th Bomb Group on 12/5/44. India Combat Missions - 1 Rammed at Mukden on 12/21/44. MACR 10592. 42-24715 was commanded by Capt. Charles Benedict and was rammed over Mukden on 12/21/44. Capt. Goodrich’s crew flying close to 42-24715 described the ramming: “The Japanese fighter was making a head on attack on 42-24715 and hit her just inboard of #1 engine. The last thing we saw was the wing on 4224715 folding back. One parachute was seen before the crash. The Japanese pilot was 2nd Lt. Tahei Matsumoto, flying for the Manchurian Air Force. 42-24715’s Bombardier, Lt. Daily and the Navigator Lt. Evans had married twin sisters, both of whom had babies in the summer of 1944. Crew Capt. Charles C. Benedict – AC – KIA 1st Lt. Robert A. Baer – CP – KIA 1st Lt. Tom C. Evans – N – KIA 1st Lt. Warren D. Dailey – B- KIA 1st Lt. Arthur R. Mahoney – FE – KIA 1st Lt. Jack L. Roberts – R – KIA S/Sgt. Elbert L. Edwards – RO – POW – Liberated S/Sgt. Charles A. Versafsky – CFC – KIA S/Sgt. Elmer Telgernuis – RG – KIA S/Sgt. Stanley J. Berger – LG – KIA T/Sgt. Carl J. Drummond – TG – KIA 42-24706 – 794th Bomb Squadron – Delivered to the USAAF on 9/12/44 – Model B-29-45-BW – Departed Morrison for India on 10/28/44 and gained by the 468th Bomb Group on 11/13/44. No Missions 42-24706 arrived from the United States on 11/13/44 and Lt. Col. Phillip Hennin were flying her for bomb practice 15 days later on 11/28/44. As 42-24706 approached Halliday Island for the bomb run, #3 engine was in flames, possibly due to a fuel line failure. 42-24707 advised everyone that he was heading back to the base, not far away. The nose wheel was lowered manually, it would make a good escape hatch if needed. Within two minutes the right wing, weaken by fire, suddenly folded over into the fuselage, with 42-24706 out of control and badly damaged, crewmembers in the front were unable to bail out, a few in the back managed to bail out. A technical representative and 1st Lt. Robert Wilson, a Bombardier were also aboard 42-24706. MACR 10043 Crew Lt. Col. Phillip F. Hennin – AC – KIA 1st Lt. John Sheenan – CP – KIA FO Michael Kawalsky – FE – KIA Capt. Otis Carey – N – KIA 1st Lt. Roscoe Schultz – B – KIA S/Sgt. Walter Bianco RO – KIA S/Sgt. Edward H. Salisbury – CFC S/Sgt. Paul R. Rogus – RG – KIA S/Sgt. Robert J. Metzger – LG 1st Lt. Marion E. King – R S/Sgt. George L. Dilloway – TG 1st Lt. Robert Wilson – Passenger – KIA George R. Tarr – Tech Representative – KIA _______________________________________________________ 468th Bomb Group CBI Losses List compiled by: Sparky Corradina and Jody Smith Sources and Acknowledgements: James Pattillo Lew Meeks Toru Fukubayashi Ya Hayashi The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” B-29 Hunters of the JAAF by Henry Sakaida and Koji Takaki Proof of Night by K.P. Burke USAAF B-29 Record Cards Maxwell AAF