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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enlisted: 17 Mar 42    Killed In Action: 1 Dec 43

Distinguished Flying Cross    Air Medal

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

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

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

Air Medal    Purple Heart

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

Enlisted: 10 Nov 42

Distinguished Flying Cross    Air Medal


TSgt. Grant L. Butcher, 19055417, Flight Engineer - Benjamin Joy Crew

Enlisted: 12 Dec 41

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.

436th BS Personnel

7th BG Personnel

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