Second Lieutenant, 395th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group, World War II.
Bombardier aboard B-29-5-BW Superfortress #42-6291.
Killed in service when the bomber experienced engine failures and fires shortly after takeoff from the airfield at Chakulia and had to make a crash landing at Midnapore, India. Nine of the thirteen airmen aboard perished when the aircraft erupted in flames.
Killed were:
1st Lt. William G Houston, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Wilbur J Wortman, Navigator
2nd Lt. Roger G Dilollo, Bombardier
Flt. Off. Irvin B Gaver, Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Lawrence M Cole
S/Sgt. James J Dignan, CFC Gunner
T/Sgt. George W Birkinsha, Gunner
Sgt. Jess R Pierce, Radio Operator
Sgt. Theodore R Smith, Tail Gunner
B-29 serial 42-6291 assigned to the 395th Bomb Squadron crash landed at Mindapore, India on July 26th 1944, 30 minutes after take-off from Chakulia in route to the forward area in China. Capt Alvin E. Hills, Jr., the pilot, was forced to make an emergency landing, with #1 and #4 engines cutting out and #3 engine on fire. Breaking out through the overcast at 100 feet he made a belly landing in a clear area. Contact was made with the ground at about the radar section and an explosion followed. Nine men were killed or died of injuries while four men, including the pilot, received only minor injuries.
Bombardier aboard B-29-5-BW Superfortress #42-6291.
Killed in service when the bomber experienced engine failures and fires shortly after takeoff from the airfield at Chakulia and had to make a crash landing at Midnapore, India. Nine of the thirteen airmen aboard perished when the aircraft erupted in flames.
Killed were:
1st Lt. William G Houston, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Wilbur J Wortman, Navigator
2nd Lt. Roger G Dilollo, Bombardier
Flt. Off. Irvin B Gaver, Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Lawrence M Cole
S/Sgt. James J Dignan, CFC Gunner
T/Sgt. George W Birkinsha, Gunner
Sgt. Jess R Pierce, Radio Operator
Sgt. Theodore R Smith, Tail Gunner
B-29 serial 42-6291 assigned to the 395th Bomb Squadron crash landed at Mindapore, India on July 26th 1944, 30 minutes after take-off from Chakulia in route to the forward area in China. Capt Alvin E. Hills, Jr., the pilot, was forced to make an emergency landing, with #1 and #4 engines cutting out and #3 engine on fire. Breaking out through the overcast at 100 feet he made a belly landing in a clear area. Contact was made with the ground at about the radar section and an explosion followed. Nine men were killed or died of injuries while four men, including the pilot, received only minor injuries.
Second Lieutenant, 395th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group, World War II.
Bombardier aboard B-29-5-BW Superfortress #42-6291.
Killed in service when the bomber experienced engine failures and fires shortly after takeoff from the airfield at Chakulia and had to make a crash landing at Midnapore, India. Nine of the thirteen airmen aboard perished when the aircraft erupted in flames.
Killed were:
1st Lt. William G Houston, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Wilbur J Wortman, Navigator
2nd Lt. Roger G Dilollo, Bombardier
Flt. Off. Irvin B Gaver, Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Lawrence M Cole
S/Sgt. James J Dignan, CFC Gunner
T/Sgt. George W Birkinsha, Gunner
Sgt. Jess R Pierce, Radio Operator
Sgt. Theodore R Smith, Tail Gunner
B-29 serial 42-6291 assigned to the 395th Bomb Squadron crash landed at Mindapore, India on July 26th 1944, 30 minutes after take-off from Chakulia in route to the forward area in China. Capt Alvin E. Hills, Jr., the pilot, was forced to make an emergency landing, with #1 and #4 engines cutting out and #3 engine on fire. Breaking out through the overcast at 100 feet he made a belly landing in a clear area. Contact was made with the ground at about the radar section and an explosion followed. Nine men were killed or died of injuries while four men, including the pilot, received only minor injuries.
Bombardier aboard B-29-5-BW Superfortress #42-6291.
Killed in service when the bomber experienced engine failures and fires shortly after takeoff from the airfield at Chakulia and had to make a crash landing at Midnapore, India. Nine of the thirteen airmen aboard perished when the aircraft erupted in flames.
Killed were:
1st Lt. William G Houston, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Wilbur J Wortman, Navigator
2nd Lt. Roger G Dilollo, Bombardier
Flt. Off. Irvin B Gaver, Flight Engineer
T/Sgt. Lawrence M Cole
S/Sgt. James J Dignan, CFC Gunner
T/Sgt. George W Birkinsha, Gunner
Sgt. Jess R Pierce, Radio Operator
Sgt. Theodore R Smith, Tail Gunner
B-29 serial 42-6291 assigned to the 395th Bomb Squadron crash landed at Mindapore, India on July 26th 1944, 30 minutes after take-off from Chakulia in route to the forward area in China. Capt Alvin E. Hills, Jr., the pilot, was forced to make an emergency landing, with #1 and #4 engines cutting out and #3 engine on fire. Breaking out through the overcast at 100 feet he made a belly landing in a clear area. Contact was made with the ground at about the radar section and an explosion followed. Nine men were killed or died of injuries while four men, including the pilot, received only minor injuries.
Inscription
2LT, 395 AAF BOMB SQ WORLD WAR II
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