Marlin Samuel Savidge

2nd Lt. Marlin S. Savidge  was co-pilot on B-24J #42-73315 assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron.  He and the remainder of the crew tragically lost on  August 14, 1944 during take off from Kurmitola, India, on the way to Liuzhou, China. See more on that event here. 

Lt. Savidge was born on September 19, 1921, and inducted on January 7, 1943 in Lycoming County, PA. He had attended Pennsylvania State College, and in his junior year had enlisted in the Air Force, graduating a pilot, commissioned Second Lieutenant.  He got his wings in Marfa, TX, January 7, 1944. In May of that year, he was initially assigned to Africa, then Italy, and finally the CBI, frequently flying supplies over the Hump.

Lt. Savidge's family learned of his death in a most painful way: Lt. Savidge's father, Grover D. Savidge, a life insurance agent in Sunbury, PA, had sent a letter to his son after uncharacteristically failing to hear from him for a time, and the letter was returned three weeks later, unopened, marked "Deceased" on the envelope. Lt. Savidge's wife, Mary L. Savidge, a hospital nurse, then asked the American Red Cross for information--who were unable to provide any info--and then finally asked Adjutant General Ulio for information. On Thursday, September 21, 1944, the family finally got initial official confirmation of his death in India.   

Lt. Savidge's remains were eventually returned to his family by train to Williamsport, PA, under escort, on December 16, 1948--almost four years after death. Lt. Savidge was interred at Promfret Manor Cemetery, Sunbury, PA. Unfortunately, a bronze grave marker expected from the government had still not arrived by June 29, 1949, and Lt. Savidge's father was still writing the Quarter Master General to try to get a marker at that time.

Lt. Savidge posthumously received the Purple Heart in November, 1944.

Much appreciation for materials provided at Findgrave.com, and from dfr, Tim Farnham, Joel Frampton Gilfert, @WW2Researcher.