Aldridge was a gunner on B-24J #44-40992, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 493rd Bombardment Squadron. They were part of a five plane formation that departed Pandaveswar India to bomb targets at Moulmein Burma. Five minutes after dropping their bombs the formation was jumped by eight to twelve Japanese fighters. During the attacks Aldridge's plane collided with one of the other bombers in the formation causing both to crash into the Bay of Martaban, killing both crews. Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing. Air Medal Purple Heart Almonrode was the pilot of B-24L #44-41440, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 493rd Bombardment Squadron. They were part of a six plane formation that departed Pandaveswar India to search the Bay of Bengal for a B-29 that had not returned from a bombing mission. The B-24 was seen to veer away from the course the rest of the planes were flying and it did not return to base. Subsequent searches found that Almonrode's plane had crashed on top of the Banjhikusam Mountain Range about twenty miles west southwest of Udala Burma. SSgt. Donald F. Alsever, 31144259, Radio Operator - Tromblay Crew Annabalini was a gunner on B-24M #44-50389, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 493rd Bombardment Squadron. They were returning to their base at Pandaveswar India from a bombing mission against Ban Takll Siam when contact was lost. It is believed the aircraft crashed into the Bay of Bengal near Akyab Burma. SSgt. Bertram J. Archer, 12140538, Aerial Gunner - Stringfellow Crew SSgt. Archer was a gunner on B-24J #42-73159, nicknamed 'Tough Baba', serving with the 10th Air Force. They were part of a formation of B-24s on a bombing mission to Insein, Burma, near Rangoon. Fierce enemy opposition of anti-aircraft fire and fighter planes was encountered. Before reaching the target the plane was hit by A-A and the right wing was smoking badly as the ship dropped and slid off in a banking turn to the right. Between eight and ten enemy fighters began attacking the disabled ship. The plane dropped about 3000-6000 feet before bursting into flames and exploding. Sgt. Clarence O. Ard, 19011241, Aircraft Mechanic / Crew Chief Austin was a gunner on B-24D #41-24220, assigned to the 10th Air Force. On a combat mission to Rangoon, Burma, the plane was shot down 30 miles west of Rangoon. The aircraft was hit in the bomb bay and a fire erupted. The fuselage broke in half and disintegrated. Austin and four other crewmen were killed, the other five men were able to escape via parachute and became prisoners of war. Sgt. Julius M. Axelrod, 32870214, Radio Operator - Zander Crew
10th Air Force / 7th Bombardment Group / 493rd Bombardment Squadron
Sgt. Charles R. Adair, 16080616, Ball Turret Gunner - Chase Crew
Enlisted 5 Aug 42 Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. Robert L. Adams, 12024182, Flight Engineer - Meade Crew
Enlisted: 7 May 41 Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
SSgt. Theodore Adams, 36347068, Aerial Gunner - Austin Crew
Enlisted: 9 Jun 42
SSgt. Everett E. Agan, 35374335, Armorer Gunner
Served: 1942 - 1945 48 Combat Missions
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
SSgt. Vernon E. Agness, 37562966, Tail Gunner - Norris Crew
Enlisted: 27 May 41 Separated: 12 Dec 45
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
SSgt. Andrew B. Aldridge, 39275956, Aerial Gunner - Bradford Crew
Enlisted: 9 Jan 43 Killed In Action: 22 Oct 44
2Lt. Hollis K. Almonrode, O-765214, Co Pilot - Cheaney Crew
Killed In Action: 5 Nov 44
Enlisted: 18 Jul 42 Separated: 21 Nov 45
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
2Lt. Richard C. Amidon, O684213, Bombardier - Meade Crew / S-2 Officer
Enlisted: 11 Jun 42 Separated: 14 Oct 45
450 Combat Hours
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Purple Heart
1Lt. John R. Andrick, O-703023, Bombardier - Mallon Crew / S-2 Officer
Enlisted: 25 Nov 40
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Sgt. Lewis P. Annabalini, 31411344, Aerial Gunner - Sommers Crew
Enlisted: 3 Mar 44 Killed In Action: 29 Jun 45
Enlisted: 4 Sep 42 Killed In Action: 1 Dec 43
Enlisted: 8 Oct 40 Separated: 4 Jun 44
To Theater: 21 Nov 41 Returned to USA: 9 Dec 44
Capt. Kenneth B. Arnold, O-855450, S-3 Officer / Communications
Enlisted: 5 Jun 42
SSgt. Otto E. Arthur, 35728018, Flight Engineer
Enisted: 29 Mar 43 Distinguished Flying Cross&; Air Medal
1Lt. James H. Austin, O-659621, B-24 First Pilot
Enlisted: 26 Sep 42 Assigned to 493rd: Separated: 11 Feb 46
TSgt. Omar A. Austin, 20150369, Aerial Gunner - Harold Goad Crew
Enlisted: 15 Nov 41 Killed In Action: 14 Oct 43
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Purple Heart
Enlisted: 22 Mar 43
493rd BS Personnel
7th BG Personnel
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