Bombardier on Roy Howser crew, 9th Bomb squadron, 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force, India-Burma Theater. Killed with rest of crew as their B-24J took off Jan. 21, 1945, from Pandaveswar Army Air Base, India, striking a small hill a mile off the end of the runway. Edwin was about 19. Sgt. Grant O. Allen, 19011012, Aerial Gunner - Cawood & Kellogg Crews Sgt Allen was a gunner on B-24J #42-73302 nicknamed 'Leaping Lena', assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron, based in Kurmitola, India. They were on a night mission to lay mines in Sattahip Harbor, Thailand. To do so required flying at very low altitude, & after completing their drop, they headed towards the open sea to the south. At an altitude of about 300 feet they flew over a Japanese gunboat & were immediately riddled with 20mm fire. Two engines failed, the wing caught on fire & they were forced to ditch in the water near the Sattahip naval base. Two crewmen survived to become prisoners of war; Allen & 7 others died. 1Lt. Stanley M. Allison, O-672287, B-24 Pilot Allison was the pilot of B-24J #42-100243 assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron. They were part of a formation of planes flying from Pandaveswar airbase to bomb Port Blair in the Andaman Islands when they came under attack by enemy fighters. Their first pass knocked out one of the bomber's engines, the second pass knocked out another. Thereafter the fighters concentrated on the crippled bomber. The plane rapidly lost altitude, crashed into the ocean and exploded. three crew members were able to bail out, but only the navigator survived to become a prisoner of war. Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing. SSgt. Wallace R. Anderson, 17113069, Armorer Gunner T/Sgt Anderson was the flight engineer on B-24 #42-73064, assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron. The plane crashed taking off from Pandaveswar airbase in India on a bombing mission, and all aboard were killed. 2Lt. Don M. Arndt, O-833667, Co Pilot - Pfister Crew Arneson was the bombardier on B-24J #42-73437 assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron. They were flying as part of a group of planes to bomb targets on Great Coco Island in the Indian Ocean. Moderate anti-aircraft fire was encountered and Arneson's plane was hit. The plane winged over to the right and went almost vertically into the ocean. There were no survivors. Because his body was not recovered, he is listed on the Tablets of the Missing.
10th Air Force / 7th Bombardment Group / 9th Bombardment Squadron
1Lt. Jack M. Abjanich, O-762879, Bombardier
Enlisted: 27 Nov 42
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
1Lt. John F. Albert, O-699644, B-24 Pilot
Enlisted: 11 Sep 42
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. Chester R. Alexander, 18052796, Flight Engineer
Enlisted: 16 Oct 41
Distinguished Flying Cross w/Oak Leaf Cluster Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
2Lt. James R. Alexander, O-660437, Navigator - James Barton Crew
Air Medal
1Lt. Norman J. Alfin, O-833676, Co Pilot - Boyer Crew
Enlisted: 27 Jun 44 Separated: 3 Mar 46
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. Homer W. Alford, 14057247, Enlisted: 23 Jan 42 Air Medal
2Lt. Edwin W. Allen, O-785157, Bombardier - Howser Crew
Enlisted: 20 May 43 Killed In Action: 21 Jan 45
Enlisted: 16 Apr 41 Killed In Action: 8 May 44
Enlisted: 4 Dec 41 Killed In Action: 15 Apr 44
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross w/Oak Leaf Cluster Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Enlisted: 18 Nov 42
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster
TSgt. William T. Anderson, 34190907, Flight Engineer - Crall & M. Young Crews
Enlisted: 28 Feb 42 Killed In Action: 25 Nov 43
Air Medal Purple Heart
Enlisted: 15 Dec 42 Air Medal
1Lt. Olaf F. Arneson, O-768916, Bombardier - Murphy Crew
Killed In Action: 22 Mar 45
Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart