Superfortress explosion 10 June 1952

Adams, John Howard
Air Force Captain

John Howard Adams, age 19, from Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. First Lieutenant John Howard Adams entered the U.S. Air Force from California and Was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was a bombardier aboard “Saloon 47” when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with 1st Lt Adams, nor was he seen at any know holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Adams is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Barrington, Edgar Foy
Air Force Staff sergeant

Edgar Foy Barrington, age 25, from Live Oak, Florida, Suwanee county.

Parents: John E. Barrington

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. Staff Sergeant Edgar Foy Barrington entered the U.S. Air Force from Florida and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the central fire control operator aboard Saloon 47 when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with SSgt Barrington, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Staff Sergeant Barrington is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Tampa Tribune (1953)

Canning, William Alfred
Air Force Technical sergeant

William Alfred Canning, age 23, from Lowell, Michigan, Kent county.

Spouse: Bessie M. Canning

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. Technical Sergeant William Alfred Canning, who entered the U.S. Air Force from Michigan, was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the flight engineer aboard “Saloon 47” when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with TSgt Canning, nor was he seen at any know holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, Technical Sergeant Canning is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Associated Press (1953)

Gorrell, Louis Paul
Air Force Captain

Louis Paul Gorrell, age 32, from Parkersburg, West Virginia, Wood county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. Captain Louis Paul Gorrell entered the U.S. Air Force from West Virginia and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the aircraft commander aboard “Saloon 47” when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with Capt Gorrell, nor was he seen at any know holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, Captain Gorrell is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Washington Evening Star (1953)

Holmes, Harold Ray
Air Force 1st lieutenant

Harold Ray Holmes, age 28, from Provo, Utah, Utah county.

Spouse: Married
Children: Harold Curtis (born a month after the plane went down).

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. First Lieutenant Harold Ray Holmes entered the U.S. Air Force from Utah and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the pilot of “Saloon 47” when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with 1st Lt Holmes, nor was he seen at any know holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Holmes is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Daily Herald (1953)

Hudson, Robert Edward
Air Force 1st Lieutenant

Robert Edward Hudson, age 39, from South Weymouth, Massachusetts, Norfolk county.

Spouse: Jean Hudson
Children: Robert Jr., Priscilla, James

Service era: Korea
Military history: Served in World War II and was recalled to acive duty in 1951.

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. First Lieutenant Robert Edward Hudson entered the U.S. Air Force from Massachusetts and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the copilot of “Saloon 47” when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with 1st Lt Hudson, nor was he seen at any know holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Hudson 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 (1952)

Kellstrom, Paul Kenneth
Air Force Sergeant

Paul Kenneth Kellstrom, age 20, from Ashtabula, Ohio, Ashtabula county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. Airman First Class Paul Kenneth Kellstrom entered the U.S. Air Force from Ohio and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the tail gunner aboard this Superfortress when it crashed on June 10, 1952. No returning POWs mentioned contact with A1C Kellstrom, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, Airman First Class Kellstrom is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Associated Press (1954) 

Mandell, David
Air Force 1st lieutenant

David Mandell, age 27, from Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. First Lieutenant David Mandell entered the U.S. Air Force from California and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was an instructor-navigator aboard Saloon 47 when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with 1st Lt Mandell, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Mandell is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Associated Press (1954)

Reid, Elbert Josephus Jr.
Air Force Staff sergeant

Elbert Josephus Jr. Reid, age 20, from Birmingham, Alabama, Jefferson county.

Parents: Elbert Reid Sr.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. Staff Sergeant Elbert Josephus Reid Jr. entered the U.S. Air Force from Alabama and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the left gunner aboard this Saloon 47 when it crashed.No returning POWs mentioned contact with SSgt Reid, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Staff Sergeant Reid is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Associated Press (1954)

Ross, Robert Lewis
Air Force Staff sergeant

Robert Lewis Ross, age 21, from Rockville, Indiana, Parke county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: June 10, 1952
Death details: On the evening of June 10, 1952, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-62183A, call sign “Saloon 47”) departed Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, with thirteen crew members on a night bombing operation targeting railroad bridges near Kwaksan, Korea. This Superfortress was part of a multiple-flight strike force that included twelve B-29s. As “Saloon 47” began its bomb run, it was illuminated by enemy searchlights and attacked by MiG-15 fighters. “Saloon 47” exploded and then fell to the ground in flames. Aerial searches failed to locate the aircraft or its crew, and circumstances surrounding their loss were unknown at the time. However, on August 30, 1953, during Operation Big Switch, one crew member from this loss was repatriated. He reported that the sudden explosion blew aboard the hit aircraft blew him outside midair and he lost consciousness but during his freefall, he regained consciousness, opened his parachute and landed in a rice paddy and was captured. Signs of the other twelve crew members were not reported or found following the incident. Staff Sergeant Robert Lewis Ross entered the U.S. Air Force from Indiana and was assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was the radio operator aboard “Saloon 47” when it crashed. No returning POWs mentioned contact with SSgt Ross, nor was he seen at any know holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, Staff Sergeant Ross is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Associated Press (1954)

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