Pilot 1st Lt. Melvin L. Power, O-933431 (1304th AFBU)
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Horace J. Gabbart, O-769790 (1304th
AFBU)
Passenger Fred Hart, 32437482
Passenger Royal Butterfield, O-728565
Passenger Richard Meredith, O-728902
Passenger Thomas Stephens, O-683542
Passenger Ewell Temples, 34444337
Passenger Charles Pero, 12168305
Passenger John F. Cook, 19148135
Passenger Joseph C. McClung, 38288140
Passenger 2nd Lt. Joseph C. Rich, O-739054 of B-24
42-73245
Passenger Edward Ryan, O-672445
MIA May 17, 1946
MACR 15043
Mission History
This C-47 was assigned to the post-war AGRS (American Graves Registration
Service) carrying 38 sets of remains from the Rangoon POW Prison
that went MIA on a flight
from
Rangoon to Calcutta.
The
last contact
with
the C-47
was over Akyab (today, Sittwe) and the pilot radioed in he was
heading NE enrooted to Barrackpore. The plane was never heard
from again. This
would place the C-47 over land. Flown by two pilots from the 1304th Air Force Base Unit. Also aboard were five unidentified sets of remains from B-24
"Bugs Bunny" 42-73222
Seeking Information
Lisa Phillips (niece of 2nd Lt. Joseph C. Rich):
"I am looking for information on my uncle 2nd Lt. Joseph C. Rich. His remains
were placed aboard C-47 43-48308 that went missing carrying 38 remains on board
from that prison."
References
Thanks to Lisa
Philips and Bruce
Fenstermaker for
information.
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