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| USAAF 5th AF 309th BW |
Pilot Major James M. Burnham, III, O-415488 (MIA / KIA) NC Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Malcolm F. Hutchinson, O-766537 (MIA / KIA) OR Crew Chief S/Sgt. Alvin C. Topp, 6668404 (MIA / KIA) OH Observer Major Joseph W. Kuntz, O-390178 (MIA / KIA) MS Passenger 2nd Lt. Owen B. Clayman, O-881253 (MIA / KIA) CA MIA September 6, 1945 MACR 14926 Crew History Major James M. Burnham was previously part of the 417th Bomb Group (417th BG). After July 1, 1945 transferred to the 309th Bomb Wing (309th BW). Passenger Claymen was on the aircraft to collect some of his luggage left in Leyte. Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army. Ferried overseas to the Pacific. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 309th Bombardment Wing (309th BW). Nicknamed "Shifless Skonk". Mission History On September 6, 1945 took off on an administrative flight at 8:40am, and were never seen again, likely lost over Leyte Gulf. Capt. Douglas F. Dowd was in charge of the search: "On 7th of Sept. 4 P-68's searched area en route Lingayen to Leyte, paying particular attention to that area between Legaspi and Leyte, including nearby islands. 1 C-47 searched area between Manila and Lingayen. 8 Sept. 10 P-38's and 2 P-61's searched the area en route Lingayen to Leyte paying particular attention to the area South of Manila all the way down to Leyte, including the nearby islands on either side of the course. All AACS Stations have been notified to have all planes on look out for the missing plane." Memorials The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission. As the flight was non-combat, none of the crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Burnham earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Relatives Hollis Puckett (nephew of Burnham): "Major Burnham is my mother's brother and the book on her brother is still open and she would like any information on what happened to his plane and crew the day the plane was lost." Francesca Cumero adds: "Major James McKay Burnham was my Great Grandmother's nephew,. James actually flew Eleanor Roosevelt on one of the legs of her journey in the South Pacific. We had distant family connections through marriage, so they joked around and she introduced him to everyone as her 'cousin James'. From the stories family have told me, the plane was not the one that Jimmie normally flew. The Shifless Skonk was having engine problems, and Jimmie had only recently been promoted to more important administrative/supervisor duties. Apparently, the regular pilot was not showing up to test the plane, so Jimmie volunteered to take it up on a short flight to Leyte to see what was wrong with it. His entire crew volunteered to go with him." References USAF - 41-30765 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James M. Burnham III American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Malcolm F. Hutchinson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Alvin C. Topp American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph W. Kuntz American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Owen B. Clayman FindAGrave - James M. Burnham III FindAGrave - Malcolm F. Hutchinson FindAGrave - Alvin C. Topp FindAGrave - Joseph W. Kuntz FindAGrave - Owen B. Clayman Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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