Becker was part of a six plane formation on the way to bomb the town of Pakokku when they were attacked by fifteen to twenty Japanese fighters. After several attacks, Becker's plane had suffered heavy damage and went out of control. It rolled over on its back and and dived straight into the ground from 11,000 feet. Two of the other planes were shot down as well. Sgt. Carter P. Bedard, 36457074, Aerial Gunner - Bodmer Crew Bedard was a gunner on B-24J #44-70414, 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 Bedard's plane collided with one of the other bombers in the formation causing both to crash into the Bay of Martaban, killing both crews. Sgt. Hal Begg, 35927966,, Tail Gunner - Chase Crew Bleich was flying as the navigator on B-24J #44-40814, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 493rd Bombardment Squadron at Pandaveswar air base in India. They were giving a night landing checkout to a newly arrived pilot when a tire blew out on takeoff. The plane crashed at the end of the runway killing all aboard. 1Lt. Edwin E. Bodley, O-805246, Navigator - A. Smith & Eliason Crews Bodmer was the pilot of B-24J #44-70414, 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 Bodmer's plane collided with one of the other bombers in the formation causing both to crash into the Bay of Martaban, killing both crews.
1Lt. George A. Bond, O-734872, Bombardier - Ingham Crew Bond was the bombardier on B-24 #42-73070, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 493rd Bombardment Squadron. They were part of a formation to bomb targets in the Rangoon area. About 15 minutes from the target area they were attacked by Japanese fighter planes. the bomber lost #1 engine and they fell behind the formation, losing altitude. They dropped their bombs over the target and seemed to hold 9,400 feet until just south and east of Akyab, when they went into a heavy cloud bank and were not seen again. SSgt. Risdon J. "Boots" Booth, 33356376, Armorer-Gunner - Young Crew SSgt. Borucki was a gunner on B-24L #44-41438, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 493rd Bombardment Squadron. They were flying a load of fuel from Luliang China to Suichwan at night. As they approached Suichwan, the tower turned off the runway lights and notified them that the airfield was under attack. A US P-61 night fighter mistook Borucki's plane for the Japanese aircraft and shot it down. He was killed along with six of his crew mates. Two others were able to parachute to safety. TSgt. Charles C. Bowen, 14070288, Flight Engineer - Stringfellow Crew Bowen was the flight engineer 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. Capt. Archie L. Bradford, O-698939, B-24 First Pilot Bradford was the pilot of 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 Bradford's plane ship came up underneath the ship and crew of Lt. Arthur Bodmer, causing both to crash into the Bay of Martaban, killing both crews. PFC Norman J. Breaux, 38498101, Ball Turret Gunner - Nelson Crew
10th Air Force / 7th Bombardment Group / 493rd Bombardment Squadron
Major Robert G. Bailey, O-659633, Squadron Commander
Command: 18 Nov 43 - 14 Apr 44
SSgt. Earl R. Baker, 39620384, Armorer-Gunner
Discharged: December 1945
Distinguished Flying Cross w/Oak Leaf Cluster Air Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/3 Battle Stars Good Conduct Medal
Presidential Unit Citation w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters American Theater Ribbon Victory Medal
1Lt. Elwood W. Baker, O-696535, B-24 First Pilot
Enlisted: 23 Dec 42 Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Cpl. James H. Balma, 16001831, Aerial Gunner - Bailey Crew
Enlisted: 18 Sep 40 Separated: 30 Aug 45
TSgt. Thomas H. Barber, 34763749, Flight Engineer - Hillman Crew
Enlisted: 13 Mar 43 To Theate: 13 May 44 Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. Robert L. Barnes, 17162147, Radio Operator - Meade Crew
Enlisted: 11 Dec 42 Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
SSgt. Lester F. Basler, 16150294, Armorer-Gunner
Enlisted: 11 Nov 42 Separated: 27 Sep 45 Air Medal
SSgt. Vestal F. Bass, 14100201, Armorer-Gunner
Enlisted: 24 Sep 42 Separated: 23 Oct 45 Air Medal
Sgt. Anton Batha, 16004454, Aircraft Mechanic
Entered Service: 21 Apr 41 Left for CBI; 21 Nov 41 Returned to ZI: 9 Dec 44
Sgt. Charles M. Bauer, Jr., 31307637, Aerial Gunner - Hillman Crew
Enlisted: 31 Mar 43 To Theater: 13 May 44 Air Medal
2Lt. Dony B. Baynton, 19163326, Radar Operator - Zander Crew
Enlisted: 24 Sep 42
SSgt. William C. Becker, 35514154, Aerial Gunner - Kimball Crew
Enlisted: 30 Sep 42 Killed In Action: 14 Nov 43
Enlisted: 11 Mr 43 Killed In Action: 22 Oct 44
Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing.
Enlisted 31 Jan 44 Air Medal
2Lt. Frank J. Beier, O-564781, Enlisted: 12 Mar 41 Assigned to Squadron: 26 Jan 43 Separated: 23 May 46
1Lt. James L. Bell, O-661582, B-24 First Pilot
Assigned to 493rd: 17 Jan 43 51 MIssions
TSgt. Lyle L. Benda, 37424666, Flight Engineer - Aldrich Crew
Air Medal
Sgt. Owen H. Benderman, 34280098, Enlisted: 8 Apr 42
SSgt. Robert H. Bennett, 35433767, Armorer-Gunner
Enlisted: 25 Jun 42 Separated: 14 Sep 45 Air Medal
1Lt. Ernest J. Benshimol, Jr., O-734301, Bombardier - Ready & Young Crews
Enlisted: 20 Jan 42 41 Combat Missions
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Flight Officer Elmer Beseke, 16138869, Navigator - Stulz Crew
Enlisted: 21 Feb 43 Assigned to 493rd: 8 Feb 45
SSgt. John R. Blackwell, 34284942, Armorer-Gunner
Enlisted: 9 May 42
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster Good Conduct Medal
SSgt. Carl E. Blair, 18110956, Flight Engineer - Jacobus Crew
Enlisted: 13 Feb 42
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Flight Officer Herbert Bleich, T-129243, Navigator - South Crew
Enlisted: 11 NOv 42 Killed, Non-Battle: 11 Nov 44
Entered Service: 8 May 42 Killed In Action: 13 Aug 45
Air Medal
1Lt. Arthur J. Bodmer, Jr., O-697093, B-24 First Pilot
Enlisted: 6 Jul 42 Killed In Action: 22 Oct 44
38 Combat Missions Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Purple Heart
Enlisted: 8 Jan 42 Killed In Action: 25 Nov 43
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Purple Heart
Enlisted: 28 Apr 42 Separated: 23 Sep 45
Air Medal
SSgt. Florian F. Borucki, 36870420, Aerial Gunner - Embury Crew
Enlisted: 31 Dec 41 Killed In Action: 1 Dec 43
Enlisted: 17 Sep 40
Maj. Jack (NMI) Bradford, O-424404, B-24 First Pilot
Air Medal Purple Heart
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Cpl. Aubry B. Briggs, 19010459
Enlisted: 7 Nov 40 Assigned to 7th BG: April 1944 Separated: 23 May 45
Sgt. Melvin E. Brittain, 39305217
Enlisted: 14 Jan 42 Separated: November 1945
Sgt. Amarico J. Brioli, 19059643, Ordnance
Enlisted: 9 Dec 42 Left Squadron: 1 Apr 44
PFC James L. Brydie, Jr., 32333576, Mechanic
Enlisted:9 May 42 Separated: 2 Oct 45
1Lt. Erich W. Burchert, O-785163, Bombardier - Chase Crew
Enlisted: 3 Apr 43 Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Sgt. Patrick A. Burchett, 0-6581834, Crew Chief
Arrived in Theater: 8 Mar 43 Killed, Non-Battle: 9 Apr 43
Sgt. Burchett was the first casualty of the 493rd Bomb Squadron. He was killed
while a passenger in a Jeep which struck a fuel truck and overturned.
Sgt. Robert K. Burns, 37702142, Armorer-Gunner Enlisted: 24 Jun 43
Sgt. Troy E. Burns, 20725973, Berlett Crew
Enlisted: 9 Jun 41 Separated: 8 Sep 45
Capt. Dewey D. Busch, O-438494, B-24 Pilot
Enlisted: 14 Jul 41 Assigned to 493rd: 8 Jan 43 Separated: 30 Dec 64
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
1Lt. Louis A. Butler, Jr., O-558857, Navigator / Squadron S-2 Officer
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. Ronald H. Byrne, 16048791, Radio Operator - Austin Crew
Enlisted: 24 Jan 42 Assigned to 493rd: 1 Feb 43
Distinguished Flying Cross w/Oak Leaf Cluster Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal w/2 Battle Stars Good Conduct Medal
493rd BS Personnel
7th BG Personnel
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