Bennett was the navigator on B-24D bomber #41-23747 assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron. On July 2, 1943 they were one of a flight of six aircraft en route to bomb the Syriam oil refinery at Rangoon, Burma. After flying for fifteen minutes through heavy clouds, the airplanes broke into the clear in a dispersed formation and only five planes could be accounted for. About fifteen minutes later a radio message was heard "Any B-24D for help." However attempts to establish radio contact got no reply. Enemy fighters were active in the area, so it is presumed that Bennett's plane was shot down. Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing. Sgt. William T. Bennett, 14141556, Armorer Gunner - Watson Crew 2nd Lt Birchett was the co-pilot of B-24J #42-73067, nicknamed "Rangoon Rosie", asigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron. They were on a bombing mission to Mergui on the Malayan peninsula. Shortly after coming off the bomb run the bomber was attacked from the front by a Japanese Zero. The bomber started down with smoke pouring from the tail. Although the plane was under control, fire raged inside and it crash landed on a strip of beach. It slid into the water and began to disintigrate as the forward portion was engulfed in flames. The wreckage came to rest and sank about 75 yards off shore from the village of Thingnaw. Eight men aboard died in the crash. Only the navigator, 1st Lt Charles S Huppman and the flight engineer, T/Sgt Grant L Butcher made it to shore, although both were injured. Huppman died soon after and Butcher was taken prisoner by the Japanese. Because the recovered remains could not be individually identified, the nine deceased members of the crew were placed in a group burial in Arlington National Cemetery. 1Lt. Robert L. Black, O-734303, Bombardier - Erich Schleier Crew Entered Service 11 Jul 41; Frederick Bock was born in 1918 in Greenville, Michigan, and graduated from the University of Chicago in 1939. Holding the rank of Captain, he piloted the B-29, "The Great Artiste", which was used for scientific measurements and photography of the effects caused by the nuclear weapon dropped on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945. The bomber he normally flew, "BocksCar" had on board the crew of Major Charles Sweeney. Bock rose to the rank of Major before leaving the Service. Post-War, he returned to Chicago to continue his studies in zoology. Specializing in genetics and statistics, he developed algorithms for solving complex problems in various research institutes in Illinois. He was a researcher at the Baxter Travenol laboratories and retired in 1986. 1Lt. Francis G. "Don" Boley, 0-2071783, Navigator - Barker Crew Bordonaro was the flight engineer on B-24J #44-41172, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron. They were taking part in a bombing mission from Madhaiganj India against the Japanese air base at Moulmein Burma. Bordonaro's plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire but, despite one engine being knocked out, they completed the bomb run and successfully hit the target. Immediately afterwards his plane was seen to turn west and disappear into turbulent clouds. The plane and crew were never seen again. Because his body was never recovered, his name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing. 2Lt. Pershing E. Bowes, O-674124, Navigator - McLauchlen Crew Bowes was the navigator on B-24J #42-73196, serving with the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron. They were part of a formation of B-24s on a bombing mission to Insein, Burma, near Rangoon. After the bombing run, the B-24 was hit in the left wing by anti-aircraft fire and began smoking badly and dove sharply to the left, chased by three enemy fighters. They were last seen descending into a cloud bank. Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing. SSgt. Hubert C. Bowlden, Jr., 18124094, Tail Gunner - Nemecek & Phillips Crews On November 29, 1942, Burkett was a gunner of B-24D #41-11912, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron. They were taking part in a bombing raid on Rangoon, and the plane did not return from the mission. He is also memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. 1Lt. Harry E. Burkhardt, O-724128, Bombardier - Akarman Crew On November 29, 1942, Burkhardt was bombardier of B-24D #41-11912, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron. They were taking part in a bombing raid on Rangoon, and the plane did not return from the mission. He is also memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. SSgt. Edwin C. Butcher, Jr., 1106768, Aerial Gunner - Mosher Crew Butcher was the Flight Engineer of B-24J #42-73067, nicknamed "Rangoon Rosie", piloted by Benjamin Joy. The crew was on a bombing mission to Mergui on the Malayan peninsula. Shortly after coming off the bomb run the bomber was attacked from the front by a Japanese Zero. The bomber started down with smoke pouring from the tail. Although the plane was under control, fire raged inside and it crash landed on a strip of beach. It slid into the water and began to disintegrate as the forward portion was engulfed in flames. The wreckage came to rest and sank about 75 yards off shore from the village of Thingnaw. Eight men aboard died in the crash. Only the navigator, 1st Lt Charles S Huppman and the flight engineer, T/Sgt Grant L Butcher made it to shore, although both were injured. Huppman died soon after and Butcher was taken prisoner by the Japanese. He was liberated in September 1945. After the war, Butcher was reunited with Joy's widow, and the two married.
10th Air Force / 7th Bombardment Group / 436th Bombardment Squadron
Cpl. George (NMI) Babics, 15074072, Aircraft Mechanic
Enlisted: 12 Jan 42
1Lt. Maurice E. "Teddy" Bair, O-693729, B-24 Pilot
Entered Service: 7 Apr 41
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Sgt. Kenneth M. Baker, 35918307, Flight Engineer - Burns Crew
Enlisted: 8 Oct 43
SSgt. Christian W. Ball, 33424081, Armorer Gunner
Enlisted: 3 Feb 43 Separated: 22 Oct 45
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Sgt.James A. Ball, 36895476, Armorer Gunner - Alexander Crew
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
SSgt. Joseph E. Ballard, 39417662, Flight Engineer - Barker Crew
Enlisted: 20 Jul 43 Air Medal
Cpl. Theodore I. Ballard, 12064531, Intelligence Clerk
Enlisted: 4 May 42 Separated: 9 Oct 45
SSgt. Paul C. Ballenger Jr., 14072345, Aerial Gunner
Enlisted: 30 Dec 41
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
1Lt. Raymond L. Balthazor, O-772257, B-24 Pilot
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
1Lt. Leonard F. Bamburg, O-749808, Bombardier - Duderstadt Crew
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
1Lt. Robert G. Bartholomew, T-66935, Co Pilot - Lee & Smith Crews
Enlisted: 8 Sep 44 Joined 436th: April 1945 Separated: 5 Dec 45
Air Medal
Sgt. Melvin R. Barton, 19092797, Mechanic
Enlisted: 17 Feb 43
TSgt. Richard M. Batdorff, 0-6667814, Flight Engineer - Aalto & Ridgell Crews
Enlisted: 21 Jul 39 Relieved from duty: 18 Oct 43
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
1Lt. Harold E. Bauer, O-763889, Bombardier - Stanton Phillips Crew
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Sgt. Virgil L. Beckerman, 16052986, Engineering
Enlisted: 17 Jan 42
Cpl. John H. Beemont, 37727524, Aerial Gunner - Smith & Demarest Crews
Enlisted: 28 Dec 43 Joined Squadron: April 1945
2Lt. Marvin S. Belkin, O-926051, Bombardier - Watson & Shanken Crews
Enlisted: 19 Mar 43
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/4 Bronze Stars
World War 2 Victory Medal Presidential Unit Citation
Cpl. Joseph W. Bell, 14049568
Enlisted: 11 Jun 41
Sgt. Richard E. Bell, 15110322, Armorer Gunner
Enlisted: 30 Mar 42 Separated: 26 Nov 45
1Lt. Bertram Bender, O-720128
Enlisted: 14 Nov 42 Separated: 15 Feb 46
SSgt. Bernard L. Bennett, 0-6990281, Tail Gunner - Werner & Berkeley Crews
Air Medal
2Lt. Donald H. Bennett, O-829400, Co Pilot - Turala Crew
Enlisted: 8 Dec 42
1Lt. Hugh D. Bennett, O-789227, Navigator - Winter Crew
Entered Service: 8 Oct 41 Killed In Action: 2 Jul 43
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Purple Heart
Enlisted: 9 Nov 42 Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Cpl. Jack I. Bensing, 35701777, Engineer/Gunner - Farquhar Crew
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Sgt. Aubrey L.P. Berger, 37631015, Armorer Gunner - Sims Crew
Enlisted: 16 Dec 43 Added to Squadron: December 1944
Air Medal
1Lt. Martin N. Berman, O-722983, Navigator - Farquhar Crew
Enlisted: 19 Oct 42 Joined 436th: 1 Jul 44
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Capt. Sidney A. Bernstein, O-396235, Observer - Schanken Crew
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
1Lt. Leslie A. Bieber, O-768991, Bombardier
Enlisted: 30 Jun 42 Air Medal w/Oak Leaf ClusterCpl. James J. Bill, 15097336, Engineering
2Lt. James W. Birchett, O-745592, Co Pilot - Benjamin Joy Crew
Enlisted: 31 Mar 42 Killed In Action: 23 Jan 44
Air Medal
SSgt. Bruce C. Blackman, 15131261, Armorer Gunner - Watson Crew
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
PFC William O. Blankenship, 15114363, Enlisted: 9 May 42
TSgt. Edward M. Blaszczyk, 13046104, Aerial Gunner
Enlisted: 5 Jan 42
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Sgt. Richard G. Blindauer, 37489985, Radio Operator - McKee Crew
Enlisted: 18 Jan 44 Separated: 4 Jun 46
2Lt. Frederick C. Bock, O-437450, Co Pilot - Morse Crew
Enlisted: 3 Nov 42 Separated: 10 Dec 45
56 Combat Missions
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
SSgt. Bernard K. Bondurant, 35730773, Radio Operator - Linamen Crew
Enlisted: 26 Mar 43 Separated: 21 Nov 45
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Sgt. Robert C. Bone, 37586288, Armorer Gunner - Trotter Crew
Joined 436th: April 1945
PFC Curran L. Book, 16054108
Enlisted: 19 Feb 42 Separated: 17 Aug 45
PFC John D. Bookamire, 33173053
Good Conduct Medal
Sgt. Philip D. Bordonaro, 42021559, Flight Engineer - Osborne Crew
Air Medal Purple Heart
Killed In Action: 3 May 45
Enlisted: 17 Mar 42 Killed In Action: 1 Dec 43
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
SSgt. Eldon J. Brand, 35368148, Ball Turret Gunner - Vroman & Hutchinson Crews
Enlisted: 9 Sep 42 Separated: 8 Dec 45
Cpl. Harold C. Brandenburg, 37624983, Engineering Clerk
Enlisted: 22 Sep 43
Sgt. Emil P. Brazil, Jr., 39204788, Radio Operator - Gordon Crew
Enlisted: 20 Mar 43
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. Samuel Bresnick, 12029546, Radar Observer - Eide & Ohlwiler Crews
Enlisted: 8 Oct 41
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters
1Lt. Robert G. Brittenbach, O-659652, B-24 First Pilot
Enlisted: 29 Sep 41
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Sgt. Arthur E. Brown, 33617242, Tail Gunner - Linberg Crew
Enlisted: 22 Feb 43
Capt.David L. Brown, O-667932, B-24 Pilot & Commanding Officer - 436th Bomb Squadron
55 Combat Missions
Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal w/2 oak Leaf Clusters
Killed, Non-Battle: 29 Nov 44
Capt. Merle G. Bryan, O-431379, B-24 First Pilot
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Sgt. Douglas B. Burgess, 38436329, Radio Operator - Farquhar Crew
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. Barney W. Burgin, 0-6912414, Flight Engineer - Long Crew
Enlisted: 19 Sep 39 Separated: 18 ep 45
Air Medal
SSgt. Russell M. Burkett, 31710666, Aerial Gunner - Akarman Crew
Air Medal Purple Heart
Air Medal Purple Heart
Enlisted: 10 Nov 42
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
TSgt. Grant L. Butcher, 19055417, Flight Engineer - Benjamin Joy Crew
Enlisted: 12 Dec 41