Bruzelius, David Jr.
Air Force Sergeant

David Jr. Bruzelius from Monroe, Wisconsin, Green county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: September 30, 1950
Death details: 

Midmorning of September 30, 1950, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34685A) departed Iwakuni Air Base Japan with a crew of three aviators in a flight of two. The briefed mission was daylight armed reconnaissance targeting the main supply routes north of Wonsan, North Korea. While patrolling north along a rail line, the Invader was hit by anti-aircraft fire, damaging aircraft and wounding the flight engineer. The B-26’s pilot immediately turned the aircraft southeast over the water, attempting to reach friendly territory. About five minutes later, the Invader lost power in the left engine and began losing altitude. Unable to contact the gunner, the pilot decided to ditch aircraft; however, the B-26 exploded as soon as it contacted the water. It is believed that this B-26 it struck a sea-mine while attempting to ditch. All attempts to rescue the aviators were unsuccessful, including an attempt by a U.S. destroyer which was severely damaged by a sea-mine during its search.

Sergeant David Bruzelius Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from Wisconsin, was assigned to the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group. He was the gunner aboard the Invader when it crashed. There is no evidence he was ever alive in enemy hands. Additionally, no returning POWs mentioned contact with Sgt Buzelius, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant Bruzelius is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW.MIA Accounting Agency