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KIA-MIA Memorial Project

Memorial Project for KIA-MIA in the CBI during WWII.

 

KIA-MIA Memorial Project

 

War so often requires a dear sacrifice - the loss of so many promising young people. Never does war only take away a soldier but also a son, brother, father, husband or best-friend.

In battle many die of injuries, and they are listed at killed-in-action (KIA). Equally as tragic is the case of soldiers listed as missing-in-action (MIA). Initially a family cannot help but hope for eventual rescue. Although the U.S. government considers an MIA deceased after one year, this hardly brings closure. The family is left to anguish in uncertainty.

These servicemen are the unsung heroes of their generation and we want to give them voice. Our goal is to profile one hundred soldiers either listed as killed in action (KIA) or missing in action (MIA). With your help we can tell the stories of the fallen. We also must act quickly before these memories fade away.

One hundred may seem like large number, but it is only a fraction of the total sacrifice.

Do you information regarding someone who should be memorialized here? By all means contact us--you may be the only person who can speak for that person today.

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Submitted by Pat on Thu, 08/13/2020 - 23:36

Add lt. Upchurch to memorial list.    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
Add Gregory, Carrol D, at Tungloa    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        

"2nd Lt. Rex D. Arnold (Xita files)
Also, some great info at http://hometown.aol.com/medalcol/purple_hearts_of_world_war_ii.htm.

2nd Lt. Rex D. Arnold, O-684459, B-24J, Co-Pilot, 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group, 14th Air Force.  Killed in Action on 26 May 1944 when his aircraft his the side of a mountain in bad weather while on a  Radar Reconnaissance mission from Chengkung airfield, China to Hainan Island in the South China Sea. Born on 11 February 1922, he entered the service on 26 June 1943 from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
2nd Lt. Arnold served in the China-India-Burma Theater as the Co-Pilot of B-24 #42-100040.  The 308th Bomb Group was based in China and supported Chinese ground forces, and attacked Japanese shipping.  On 26 May 1944, Lt. Arnold's aircraft took off from Chengkung Airfield.  Approximatky one hour into the mission, the aircraft crashed about 50 miles south of Mengtze, China near the present day border of Vietnam. Eyewitnesses report that the aircraft crashed into the side of the Morshih Kou Shan mountain near the villages of Na Fa and Ta Shen as it apparently was attempting to get under the poor weather. Because the aircraft was carrying extra fuel tanks in the bomb bays, the aircraft exploded with such force that only small traces of the aircraft were ever recovered. 2nd Lt. Arnold's body was never recovered and he was pronounced dead on 27 May 1945.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Purple Heart.

He is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at Fort Bonifacio Military Cemetery, Manila, Philippine Islands. He was 23 years old.
"    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
John F Hampshire    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
1st Lt. Leon Lichard--contact Jane    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
"Dave Walli ⛺️
Capt Capt. John F. Hampshire, Jr. was a highly talented fighter pilot who served in the 75th Fighter Squadron from late September, 1942 until his death in May, 1943. A rising star in the 75th Fighter Squadron named John Hampshire was shooting down Japanese planes as fast as he made contact with them. As his victory totals soared, many considered him the most brillant fighter pilot to fly in the theater. Hampshire had racked up an incredible 13th aerial kills in his first six missions.

buried at Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Awards includ Silver Star, a Purple Heart, 4 air medals, oakleaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross; He is credited for downing 17 enemy aircraft and hold the record at the Air Aces Museum in Mesa AZ.

Born Grants Pass Oregon

http://ijpr.org/post/world-war-ii-pilot-receives-honors-grants-pass

http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Johnny-Hampshire/61219576

http://evergreenmuseum.org/the-museum/oregon-aviation-hall-of-honor/

http://video.soptv.org/video/2365274638/

http://scaleplasticandrail.com/kaboom/index.php/component/content/article/42/468-barracudacals-bc32007-132-p-40k-warhawks-pt-1-a-bc48007-148-p-40k-warhawks

"    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
Henry Staples (on NAS?)    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
"James R. Fox, jr., - Dalhart, TX
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAMV8_James_R_Fox_jr_Dalhart_TX
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-10/24/content_606757.htm


http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/092103/peo_092103peo004001.shtml#.VhJM14-qpBc

http://en.people.cn/200210/24/eng20021024_105566.shtml

http://en.people.cn/200210/21/eng20021021_105436.shtml


At the Dallam County Courthouse, Dalhart honors the memory of James R. Fox, Jr. (March 16, 1919—March 11, 1943), who flew supplies to China for Pan American Airways, then a joint Chinese and American company, during World War II through the treacherous Hump Route. Fox and his two Chinese copilots were killed, when their Douglas C-52 cargo plane crashed. In 2002, the Peoples Republic of China made a bronze bust in Fox's honor and presented it to Dalhart

"    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
"Harold. D. Robertson  King08-X1_0014_2_MIA_Robertson ASN 170527777 May 1944  S/No. 42-98865
ROBERTSON HAROLD D      17052777   T SG  FOD  FOD = FINDING OF DEATH        

Harold D. Robertson
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army
5th Liaison Squadron
Entered the Service From: Arkansas
Service #: 17052777
Date of Death: May 07, 1944

HOMETOWN
Rector, AR 

HONORED BY
Msgt Roy Kappel


ACTIVITY DURING WWII

NORTH BURMA, 1944; WAS A LIAISON PILOT, 5TH LIAISON SQUADRON. FLYING L-5A # 42-98865. DISAPPEARED INTO AN OVERCAST ABOUT 32 MILES NORTH OF SHINGBWIYANG, BURMA ON MAY 7, 1944. 

Almost all the Cubs flew in civilian life. Many are washed out cadets, many were too old to become cadets. All this increased their passion for flying. The strips lie five to 15 minutes from the front and they feel bushed when a day goes by without having been in the air. Once in a while, they are shot down or lost in bad weather. Then they name the strips after their dead buddies. Their main strip is Robertson Field, since T/Sgt. Harold D. Robertson has never returned.                                 
"    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
"James B Strader (died 1944) was born into the Strader family. He died on July 14, 1944.  OREGON
Brother John M.

He was buried in National Memorial Cemetery Of The Pacific Section C Site 438, 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, Hi.

http://www.wallowa.com/out_of_the_past/20140819/out-of-the-past-joseph-sewer-system-approved:
Aug. 17, 1944

Capt. James B. Strader, son of Mrs. Lydia Womack of Seattle and formerly of Wallowa, was killed in action in Kunming, China on July 14, 1944, according to a recent announcement received by his mother from the War department. … Capt. Strader graduated from Wallowa High School with the class of 1937.
Enlisted? SEPTEMBER 25, 1941

April 29, 1937:WALLOWA - Fourteen FFA boys and their instructor, George Pope, left Tuesday evening for Corvallis to attend the state FFA convention. The boys are Harry McNeal, Kenneth Brooks, Tom Johnson, Reid Johnson, James Johnson, James Strader, Douglas Whipple, Vern McClain, Ernie Smith, Roland Bramlet, Weldon Downing, Bill Dougherty, Bill Rounsavell and Bill Wolfe.
March 11, 1937

The hardware store of Prentiss Homan and his son-in-law, Archie McRae, will be moved in a few days to the Riley corner on Main Street in Enterprise.... The move brings out a curious fact. Mr. Homan went to school in the old building when it was new 50 years ago and stood several blocks to the east, near the present schoolhouse.

WALLOWA - Nine FFA boys vied for prizes in their public speaking contest Monday night. First prize of $4 was awarded to James Strader, second of $2.50 to Harry McNeil and third to Roland Bramlett. Also in the contest were Vern McClain, Jack Strader, Weldon Dorming, Tom Johnson, Billy Wolfe and Marshall Weaver."    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
"TSgt Cecil L Olson, Radio Operator, from ID
Birth:     Nov. 1, 1918
Death:     May 20, 1944

TSGT USAAF WWII
308th BG, 373rd B Sq
Radio Operator

B-24J #42-73317 'Puck' took off from Liuchow headed for the base at Yangkai, China on a Sea Sweep mission. The plane and its entire crew disappeared when attacked by possible anti-aircraft fire at sea. The crew members were~

1st Lt Donald G Richardson, Pilot, from CO
1st Lt Frank L Munson, CoPilot, from NY
1st Lt James P ‘Jim' Gilbert, Navigator, from NJ
1st Lt Linus J Austin, Bombardier, from KS
TSgt Cecil L Olson, Radio Operator, from ID
SSgt Arthur (NMI) Regal, Asst Radio Operator, from CA
TSgt Harold W ‘H W' Case, Engineer, from IL
Cpl Jordan L Daley, Asst Engineer, from OH
Cpl Walter S Polchlopek, Gunner/Armorer, from MA
SSgt Clifford T Hamilton, Gunner/Armorer, from OH
1st Lt Russell T Breckenridge, Sq S-2 Officer, from CA

The crew is listed here in the virtual cemetery for 'B-24J #42-73317 ‘Puck'

Sgt Pasquale 'Patsy' Gerrone was best friends with Gunner SSgt Clifford T Hamilton, and they were both a part of the B-24 'Puck' crew. Sgt Gerrone was not on the plane the day it disappeared because the flight surgeon had grounded him due to illness.

After returning from the war, Sgt Gerrone wrote to SSgt Hamilton's widow Elora out of concern for the loss of his best friend. Sgt Gerrone eventually married Elora and raised Hamilton's daughter and four sons of their own.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
Note: Entered the service from Idaho.
 
Burial:
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial 
Manila
Metro Manila
National Capital Region, Philippines
 
Maintained by: B24CoPilotNiece
Originally Created by: CWGC/ABMC
Record added: Aug 08, 2010 
Find A Grave Memorial# 56762593
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56762593
"    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
"
DANIELS PATRICK H III
MIRA LOMA FLIGHT ACADEMY (CALIFORNIA) MAJOR C. C. MOSELEY, Operator This primary flight school at Oxnard, California, was originally known as Cal-Aero but 
was renamed Mira Loma to avoid confusion since Major C. C. Moseley, the civilian 
contractor, was already operating the Cal-Aero Academy at Ontario, California. 
The main base comprised 145 acres and, in addition, there were three auxiliary fields. 
The school maintained three hangars, eighteen buildings devoted to living quarters, two 
Army administration buildings, a recreation hall and a mess hall. The barracks at Mira 
Loma were first set up in the Oxnard Community Building. When permanent ones were 
built they consisted of small cottages set in circular rows around a central parade ground. 
Major Moseley operated a third contract school, the Polaris Flight Academy, at 
Lancaster, California. 
One of the outstanding graduates of Mira Loma was Lieutenant Patrick H. Daniels, III. 
While piloting a fighter plane escorting Brigadier General Caleb V. Haynes's bombers in 
a raid on a Japanese invasion port in China, Daniels observed several Jap Zeros 
approaching and dove into them. He came out with three enemy ships on his tail. He 
evaded two of these and turned headlong into the third, shooting it down. The other Zeros 
were dispersed and the bombers continued on the raid which turned out to be one of the 
most successful ever made in the area. 
In another exploit over the Chinese jungles, Daniels had his right shoulder pierced by a 
bullet and his radio cord severed by another bullet. With his right arm useless, Daniels, 
who was squadron leader, led his flight safely back to base, flying with his left hand and 
making a perfect landing despite considerable loss of blood. 
Lieutenant Daniels was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star Medal, Air 
Medal, and Purple Heart."    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        
"Lieut Jerrold E Owens
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Birth:     1920
Carter County
Oklahoma, USA
Death:     Mar. 21, 1943, India

WWII US Army Air Corps MIA 

Lieutenant Jerrold E. Owens was the son of Wyatt Hamilton Owens and Maudie (Kuntz) Owens Coulter Longshore, born in Oklahoma, most likely Carter County. He had one sister, Theopa Christine (Owens) McNally Sheen. 

After the divorce of his parents, Jerrold and his sister moved with their mother to Norman, Oklahoma, where he attended high school. The family then moved to California where he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps (forerunner of the US Air Force) on January 29, 1941 from March Field Riverside, Los Angeles County, California as a Private. He was married at that time to someone unknown to me.

Jerrold was a Co-Pilot on ""The Pregnant Swan"", aircraft #42-40069, from the 308th Bomb Group. The aircraft was lost with all aboard on a flight over ""the Hump"" in India. 

The 9 dead were:
Acting Pilot: Major Robert W. Fensler
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Phillip G. Huffman
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Jerrold E. Owens
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Frederick W. Ossenfort
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Harvey M. Nix
Engineer: TSgt. Erle H. Thayer
Assistant Engineer: SSgt. Aubrey Stevensen
Radio Operator: TSgt. Norman A. Price
Assistant Radio Operator"" SSgt Louis F. Verhagen
Gunner SSgt: Sandav E. Rivardo

Clayton Kuhles of Prescott, Arizona, is privately conducting MIA search expeditions to locate and document MIA Allied aircraft lost in Burma, India, Bangladesh and China during World War II. He found the site of Jerrold's wreckage in September, 2008.

Jerrold was listed by the war department as missing since March 21, 1943. Mr. Kuhles' efforts have finally helped bring some closure to our family for this long-lost hero who was a first cousin of my dad.

We continue to wait for his remains to be brought home.

Maternal Grandfather:
Jacob H Kuntz
 
 
Family links: 
 Parents:
  Wyatt Hamilton Owens (1891 - 1964)
 
Burial:
Body lost or destroyed
Specifically: Lost on a flight over ""The Hump"" in India during WWII; remains of the plane wreckage were found in 2008
 
Created by: J&G Sanders
Record added: Apr 10, 2009 
Find A Grave Memorial# 35707583
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35707583"    pat    RE:KIA-MIA Memorial Homepage        

Submitted by Pat on Sun, 05/30/2021 - 12:11

Nathan Margolies, Edwin Ely Scranton, John Edward Cunningham. 9th BS, 7th BG.

Lt. Edwin E. Scranton, B-24 navigator. Pilot Lt. Nathan Margolies, and gunner S/Sgt. John E. Cunningham. Killed in a March 24, 1945, air accident, India.

Submitted by Pat on Tue, 06/29/2021 - 09:12

https://www.142fw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2332296/redha…]

 

Lt. Kenneth E. Shafer (Killed 15 Nov 44)

Lt. Jack W. Berringer (Missing 21 Nov 44)

Lt. Franklin J. McKinney (Missing 5 Nov 44)

Lt. Estal W. Behrens (Killed 2 Feb 45)

Lt. Phillip L. French (Missing 30 Jul 1945)

Capt. William W. Deen, III (Initially missing, later found killed, 1 Aug 45)

Lt. Hillie N. Asterious (Killed 13 Sep 45)

 

Submitted by Pat on Sat, 01/15/2022 - 10:49

US Army Technician 4th Class Robert F. Sherman, CBI MIA. "On January 6, 1945 he was a passenger on the C-46A #42-96721 "Stork" assigned to the 1333rd Army Air Force Base Unit. They had taken off with a crew of 4 and 9 passengers from Kunming, China on a cargo mission to Chabua, India. Enroute they were contacted by radio and were not seen nor heard from again. Weather conditions were treacherous, and it was reported that other aircraft on the same route were experiencing severe icing."

 

Families and Supporters of America's Arunachal Missing in Action

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