Categorie: The Hump 1944

Rank and Name, Private Benjamin J. Jones.

Unit/Placed in, 5307th Composite Unit (Prov.) Merrill’s Marauders.

 

Benjamin is born approx. on 1920 in South Carolina.

 

Benjamin enlisted the service in South Carolina with service number # 14123742.

 

Benjamin ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a C-47 were,

2^nd Lt.          Earnest R. Wilson              Pilot

F/O              Andrew Malligo                 Co Pilot

Sgt.              Allen W. Beeler                 Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Vilas D. Parker                  Drop Crew Member

Pfc.              Howard K. Moss                Drop Crew Member

Pfc.              Benjamin J. Jones             Drop Crew Member

Pfc.              Walter B. Owensby            Drop Crew Member

Benjamin died when on an Air Supply Mission, they probably crashed due to bad weather on 22 May 1944,  he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Benjamin is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

According a search team from D.P.A.A. they discovered the crash site in 1987. Researched the site and there were remains recovered at that time. It was not certain whose remains it was.

Thanks to, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/342077-2nd-troop-carrier-squadron-and-315th-troop-carrier-squadron-443rd-troop-carrier-group-10th-aaf/

http://www.marauder.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Website,

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Private John Henry Baggett.

Unit/Placed in, 82nd Squadron, 3rd Air Depot Group.

 

John is born approx. on 8 June 1924 in Enterprise, Alabama.

Father, John L. Baggett.

Mother, Ruth (Griffin) Baggett.

Sister(s), Mary H. Baggett.

 

John enlisted the service in Alabama with service number # 34708232.

John was assigned to this flight.

John‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24  were,

Lt. Col.          James H. York                  Pilot

Col.              Howard H. Couch              Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Warren L. Caron               Navigator

T/Sgt.          Malcoln E. McLean             Radio Operator

Pvt.              John H. Baggett                Engineer

Capt.            Edward C. Collins              Photographer

Corp.            Ralph E. Mallory                photographer

Corp.            Russell H. Cooper               Passenger

John died on a reconnaissance mission for Cheng Tu Airfield, Szechuan Province, China were they never arrived on,  he is honored with a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

John is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.cbi-history.com/part_iii_adg.html#3

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Rank and Name, Sergeant William R. Bader.

Unit/Placed in, 5307th Composite Unit.

Merrill’s Marauders

Merrill’s Marauders (named after Frank Merrill) or Unit Galahad, officially named the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), was a United States Army long range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit, which fought in the South-East Asian theatre of World War II, or China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). The unit became famous for its deep-penetration missions behind Japanese lines, often engaging Japanese forces superior in number.

 

William is born approx. on 30 Dec. 1922 in Pennsylvania.

Father, Conrad Bader.

Mother, Beryl A. (Cambell) Bader.

 

William enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # 33573161.

 

William was KIA in the Myitkyina streets secured his squad, when they were pushed back by the Japanese on 12 June 1944, he is honored with a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

William is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Grandview Cemetery, Southmont, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, USA.

 

Thanks to, http://www.marauder.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Name and Rank, Second Lieutenant Charles J. Yodice.

Unit/Placed in, India-China Wing, Air Transport Command.

 

Charles was born approx. on 18 July 1942 in Kings County, New York.

Father, John Yodice.(Born in Italy)

Mother, Mary Yodice.

Sisters, Jeanne and Anette Yodice.

 

Charles entered  the service from New York with service number # 0-830770.

 

Charles J. Yodice was a Co Pilot (C-47) in the India-China Wing, Air Transport Command (CBI or the Hump).

 

Charles crewmembers and their positions onboard the C-47 were,

1st Lt.          Robert H. Drennan            Pilot

2nd Lt.         Charles J. Yodice               Co Pilot

Sgt.              Seymour Sussman             Radio Operator

 

Charles died non Battle when his plane crashed in India, on Nov. 3, 1944, he is honored with a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Charles is buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila,

National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the Missing.

 

Thanks to

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

V

Name and Rank, Staff sergeant Emerald T. Queen.

Unit/Placed in, 793rd Bomber Squadron, 468th Bomber Group (Very Heavy).

 

Emerald was born approx. on 1916 in Florida.

Father, Charles G. Queen.

Mother, Orpha L. Queen.

Sister, Eva M.Queen.

Brother, Ercel C. Queen.

 

Emerald entered  the service from Florida with service number # 34243386.

 

Emerald T. Queen was a Tail Gunner in the 793rd Bomber Squadron.

 

Emerald’s crewmembers and their positions onboard the B-29 were,

Col.     Ted S. Faulkner                 Pilot

1^st Lt. Maurice E. Eigler               Co Pilot

Maj.    Robert T. Arnoldus            Navigator

Maj.    Harve N. Johnson              Bombardier

1^st Lt. Harry H. Peterson             Flight Engineer

Sgt.    William Glibon                  Radio Operator

F/O    Edward J. Kennedy           Central Fire Control

S/Sgt. Hubert B. Gruber              Right Waist Gunner

Sgt.    Buster Westbrook              Left Waist Gunner

S/Sgt. Emerald T. Queen             Tail Gunner

S/Sgt. John Andrew                    Passenger

Emerald was Killed in action when his plane was lost over the sea due to enemy fighters, on 5 Nov. 1944, and he is honored with an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Emerald is buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Manila, Metro Manila,

National Capital Region, Philippines.

Tablets of the Missing.

 

Thanks to 468th Bomb Group http://www.468thbombgroup.org/

https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-29/42-6370.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

Name and Rank, Staff Sergeant Kosta Xita.

Unit/Placed in, 374th Bomber Squadron, 308th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Kosta was born approx. on 1922 in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

 

Father, Chris Xita.

Mother, Pheresofone Xita.

Sister, Angelina Xita.

 

He enlisted  the service on Oct. 5, 1942 at Pennsylvania with service number # 13124587.

 

Kost’s his Crewmembers and positions on the B-24 were,

 

2ndLt.          Lyle L. Schulzkump            Pilot

2ndLt.          Rex D. Arnold                   Co Pilot

2ndLt.          Seymour Goldsmith           Navigator

2ndLt.          Luther W. Tate                 Bombardier

S/Sgt.           Kosta Xita                        Engineer

S/Sgt.           John R. Rice                     Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Matthew O. Kelsey            Asst. Engineer

S/Sgt.           Robert V. Sayer                Gunner

S/Sgt.           Anthony S. Kryscio            Radar Observer

T/Sgt.          Paul J. Koerner                 Gunner

 

Kosta Xita was a Staff Sergeant/Engineer (B-24) in the 374th Bomber Squadron.

 

Kosta was KIA because (presumably) his plane was attacked, shot and crashed in sea, on May 26, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Costa is buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Tablets of the Missing.

 

Thanks to

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

 

On May 26, 1944, he was flying as an Engineer on a radar reconnaissance mission. Attempting to get below threatening weather, the aircraft hit Morshih Kou Shan Mountain, between the villages of Na Fa and Ta Shaun. The aircraft was equipped with long-range extra fuel tanks, and the resulting explosion after crash was so severe that only small fragments of the aircraft were recovered. All aboard died, and no remains were recovered.
Missing Air Crew Report 5346 lists the pilot as Lt. Lyle L. Schulzkump.
Many of the aircraft assignment records, mission loading lists, and air crew assignments from 308th Bomb Group are missing or illegible..

Name and Rank, Sergeant Byron E. La Blanc.

Unit/Placed in, 425th Bomber Squadron, 308th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Byron was born approx. on Sep. 5, 1921 in Wisconsin.

 

Father, William A. La Blanc.

Mother, Emily (Laconic) La Blanc.

Sister, Alice La Blanc.

Brothers, John, Laurence, Ervin, Francis and Ronald La Blanc.

 

Byron entered  the service from Wisconsin with service number # 36805260.

 

Byron E. La Blanc was a Left Waist Gunner in the 425th Bomber Squadron.

 

Byron’s crewmembers and there position onboard the plane a B-24 were,

 

2nd Lt.         Evert P. Mitchell               Pilot

2nd Lt.         Francis G. Steiger              Co Pilot

2nd Lt.         Fred R. Massing                Navigator

F/O              Howard J. Lundberg          Bombardier

S/Sgt.           Leonard W. Habel              Engineer/Gunner

S/Sgt.           Reese Hunter Jr.               Radio Operator/Gunner

Sgt.              Robert H. Kuhns                Right Waist Gunner

Sgt.              Byron E. La Blanc             Left Waist Gunner

Cpl.              Lawrence C. Hedlund         Radar Observer/Gunner

 

Byron E. La Blanc was Killed in Action due to bad weather during a night mission to Mine Lying at Kunming, China, when there was nothing on the Radio of there where abouts on Aug. 9, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

And he is buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila,

National Capital Region, Philippines.

He has a Memorialgrave at Saint Ann Cemetery, Turtle Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin, USA.

 

Thanks to http://www.usaaf-in-cbi.com/308th_web/index.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Joseph Girard Azat.

Unit/Placed in, 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Group.

 

Joseph is born approx. on 27 March 1927 in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania.

Father, Joseph Azat.

Born in Italy.

Mother, Angela Azat.

Sister(s), Anne Azat.

 

Joseph enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # 0-820195.

 

Joseph was KIA when there was nothing heard over radio or else (probably bad weather) on 5 Oct. 1944,  he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Joseph is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/33rd_Fighter_Group.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Melvin Sherwood Avery.

Unit/Placed in, 436th Bomber Squadron, 7th Bomber Group, Heavy.

 

Melvin is born approx. on 19 May 1918 in Oklahoma.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Melvin enlisted the service in Oklahoma with service number # 0-670487.

 

Melvin‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24  were,

Capt.            Vick Winter                      Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Melvin S. Avery                Co Pilot

1^st Lt.           Hugh B. Bennett               Navigator

2^nd Lt.          Raymond D. McSween        Bombardier

T/Sgt.          Peter Soman                    Engineer

T/Sgt.          John D. Simon                  Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Ray Kenney                      Gunner

S/Sgt.           Robert P. Thomas              Gunner

S/Sgt.           Howard D. Norman           Gunner

 

Melvin was KIA (unknown) there was a radio com for help, but no reply  on 2 July 1943, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Melvin is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Hilltop Cemetery, Calvin, Hughes County, Oklahoma, USA.

 

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/7th_Bombardment_Group.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Linus Jason Austin.

Unit/Placed in, 373rd Bomber Squadron, 308th Bomber Group, Heavy.

 

Linus is born approx. on June, 1919 in Emporia, Kansas.

Father, Jason R. Austin.

Mother, Sabra E. (Whitley) Austin.

Sister(s), Catherine Austin.

Brother(s), Whitley Austin.

 

Linus enlisted the service in Kansas with service number # O-669947.

 

Linus Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

1^st Lt.           Donald G. Richardson        Pilot

1^st Lt.           Frank L. Munson               Co Pilot

1^st Lt.           Linus J. Austin                  Bombardier

1^st Lt.           James P. Gilbert                Navigator

TSgt.            Harold W. Case                 Engineer

TSgt.            Cecil L. Olson                    Radio Operator

SSgt.            Arthur Regal                    Asst. Radio Operator

Corp.            Jordan L. Daley                Asst. Engineer

SSgt.            Clifford T. Hamilton           Gunner

Corp.            Walter S Polchopak            Gunner

Linus was KIA on a Combat Mission to Yangkin, China to Sweep Japanese vessels they were shot by Anti-Aircraft on 20 May, 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Linus is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to,

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com