Superfortress 1 June 1951

Crocker, Charles William Jr.
Air Force Staff sergeant

Charles William Jr. Crocker, age 25, from Corvallis, Oregon, Benton county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, June 1, 1951
Death details: On June 1, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 44-86327) carrying thirteen crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, as one of eleven aircraft in the first of three flights on a bombing mission against enemy railroad bridges in the Kwakson area of North Korea. While in the target area, the formation’s fighter escort began running low on fuel and departed to refuel. During the escort’s absence, this Superfortress came under attack by enemy MiG-15 fighters. When the escort fighters returned they attempted to fight off the MiGs; however, this Superfortress had already sustained severe damage. The damaged bomber attempted to fly towards the sea, but exploded and crashed northwest of Pyongyang. Prior to the crash, four parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. The loss occurred behind enemy lines, precluding a ground search for survivors. Of the thirteen crew members, three were captured and eventually released into U.S. custody, and three bodies were found by the enemy, buried, and returned after the war. The other seven crew members remain unaccounted for. Staff Sergeant Charles William Crocker Jr. entered the U.S. Air Force from Oregon and was a member of the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group. He was a gunner aboard this Superfortress when it crashed, and he was lost in the incident. Today, Staff Sergeant Crocker is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Goodman, George Morris
Air Force 1st lieutenant

George Morris Goodman, age 35, from Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill county.

Spouse: Mary Goodman
Children: Patricia, 7

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, June 1, 1951
Death details: On June 1, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 44-86327) carrying thirteen crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, as one of eleven aircraft in the first of three flights on a bombing mission against enemy railroad bridges in the Kwakson area of North Korea. While in the target area, the formation’s fighter escort began running low on fuel and departed to refuel. During the escort’s absence, this Superfortress came under attack by enemy MiG-15 fighters. When the escort fighters returned they attempted to fight off the MiGs; however, this Superfortress had already sustained severe damage. The damaged bomber attempted to fly towards the sea, but exploded and crashed northwest of Pyongyang. Prior to the crash, four parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. The loss occurred behind enemy lines, precluding a ground search for survivors. Of the thirteen crew members, three were captured and eventually released into U.S. custody, and three bodies were found by the enemy, buried, and returned after the war. The other seven crew members remain unaccounted for. First Lieutenant George Morris Goodman entered the U.S. Air Force from Pennsylvania and was a member of the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group. He was the flight engineer aboard this Superfortress when it crashed, and he was lost in the incident. Today, First Lieutenant Goodman is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, York Gazette and Daily (1953)

Hobbie, Jack Melvin
Air Force Captain

Jack Melvin Hobbie, age 26, from San Francisco, California, San Francisco county.

Spouse: Justine

Service era: Korea
Schools: Johnson City High (1942)
Military history: Servied in World War II and survived imprisonment by Japanese.

Date of death: Friday, June 1, 1951
Death details: On June 1, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 44-86327) carrying thirteen crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, as one of eleven aircraft in the first of three flights on a bombing mission against enemy railroad bridges in the Kwakson area of North Korea. While in the target area, the formation’s fighter escort began running low on fuel and departed to refuel. During the escort’s absence, this Superfortress came under attack by enemy MiG-15 fighters. When the escort fighters returned they attempted to fight off the MiGs; however, this Superfortress had already sustained severe damage. The damaged bomber attempted to fly towards the sea, but exploded and crashed northwest of Pyongyang. Prior to the crash, four parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. The loss occurred behind enemy lines, precluding a ground search for survivors. Of the thirteen crew members, three were captured and eventually released into U.S. custody, and three bodies were found by the enemy, buried, and returned after the war. The other seven crew members remain unaccounted for. Captain Jack Melvin Hobbie, who joined the U.S. Army Air Force from California, served with the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Wing. He was the bombardier aboard the Superfortress when it crashed, and his remains were not recovered. Today, Captain Hobbie is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Binghamton Press and Sun Belletin (1954)

Korstjens, Joseph Lawrence
Air Force Captain

Joseph Lawrence Korstjens, age 31, from Groom, Texas, Carson county.

Spouse: Ann D. Korstjens

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, June 1, 1951
Death details: On June 1, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 44-86327) carrying thirteen crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, as one of eleven aircraft in the first of three flights on a bombing mission against enemy railroad bridges in the Kwakson area of North Korea. While in the target area, the formation’s fighter escort began running low on fuel and departed to refuel. During the escort’s absence, this Superfortress came under attack by enemy MiG-15 fighters. When the escort fighters returned they attempted to fight off the MiGs; however, this Superfortress had already sustained severe damage. The damaged bomber attempted to fly towards the sea, but exploded and crashed northwest of Pyongyang. Prior to the crash, four parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. The loss occurred behind enemy lines, precluding a ground search for survivors. Of the thirteen crew members, three were captured and eventually released into U.S. custody, and three bodies were found by the enemy, buried, and returned after the war. The other seven crew members remain unaccounted for. Captain Joseph Lawrence Korstjens entered the U.S. Air Force from Texas and was a member of the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group. He was a pilot aboard this Superfortress when it crashed, and he was lost in the incident. Today, Captain Korstjens is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Chico Enterprise Record (1954)

Mueller, Wilbur John
Air Force 1st Lieutenant

Wilbur John Mueller, age 27, from East St. Louis, Illinois, Saint Clair county.

Spouse: Frances P. Mueller

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, June 1, 1951
Death details: On June 1, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 44-86327) carrying thirteen crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, as one of eleven aircraft in the first of three flights on a bombing mission against enemy railroad bridges in the Kwakson area of North Korea. While in the target area, the formation’s fighter escort began running low on fuel and departed to refuel. During the escort’s absence, this Superfortress came under attack by enemy MiG-15 fighters. When the escort fighters returned they attempted to fight off the MiGs; however, this Superfortress had already sustained severe damage. The damaged bomber attempted to fly towards the sea, but exploded and crashed northwest of Pyongyang. Prior to the crash, four parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. The loss occurred behind enemy lines, precluding a ground search for survivors. Of the thirteen crew members, three were captured and eventually released into U.S. custody, and three bodies were found by the enemy, buried, and returned after the war. The other seven crew members remain unaccounted for. First Lieutenant Wilbur John Mueller entered the U.S. Air Force from Illinois and was a member of the 343rd Bombardment Squadron. He was the radar observer aboard this Superfortress when it crashed, and he was lost in the incident. Today, First Lieutenant Mueller is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Boston Globe (1953)

Seagoe, Richard David
Air Force Master sergeant

Richard David Seagoe, age 26, from St. Petersburg, Florida, Pinellas county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, June 1, 1951
Death details: On June 1, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 44-86327) carrying thirteen crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, as one of eleven aircraft in the first of three flights on a bombing mission against enemy railroad bridges in the Kwakson area of North Korea. While in the target area, the formation’s fighter escort began running low on fuel and departed to refuel. During the escort’s absence, this Superfortress came under attack by enemy MiG-15 fighters. When the escort fighters returned they attempted to fight off the MiGs; however, this Superfortress had already sustained severe damage. The damaged bomber attempted to fly towards the sea, but exploded and crashed northwest of Pyongyang. Prior to the crash, four parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. The loss occurred behind enemy lines, precluding a ground search for survivors. Of the thirteen crew members, three were captured and eventually released into U.S. custody, and three bodies were found by the enemy, buried, and returned after the war. The other seven crew members remain unaccounted for. Master Sergeant Richard David Seagoe entered the U.S. Air Force from Florida and served with the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group. He was the flight engineer aboard the Superfortress when it crashed, and his remains were not recovered. Today, Master Sergeant Seagoe is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Munroe, Irving
Air Force Sergeant

Irving Munroe, age 19, from Newport, Rhode Island, Newport county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, June 1, 1951
Death details: On June 1, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 44-86327) carrying thirteen crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, as one of eleven aircraft in the first of three flights on a bombing mission against enemy railroad bridges in the Kwakson area of North Korea. While in the target area, the formation’s fighter escort began running low on fuel and departed to refuel. During the escort’s absence, this Superfortress came under attack by enemy MiG-15 fighters. When the escort fighters returned they attempted to fight off the MiGs; however, this Superfortress had already sustained severe damage. The damaged bomber attempted to fly towards the sea, but exploded and crashed northwest of Pyongyang. Prior to the crash, four parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. The loss occurred behind enemy lines, precluding a ground search for survivors. Of the thirteen crew members, three were captured and eventually released into U.S. custody, and three bodies were found by the enemy, buried, and returned after the war. The other seven crew members remain unaccounted for. Airman First Class Irving Munroe entered the U.S. Air Force from Rhode Island and was a member of the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group. He was a gunner aboard this Superfortress when it crashed, and he was lost in the incident. Today, Airman First Class Munroe is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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