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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) Aberdeen, WA Crew Chief S/Sgt. Alvin C. Topp, 6668404 (MIA / KIA) Toledo, 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 assigned to the 417th Bomb Group (417th BG). After July 1, 1945 he was transferred to the 309th Bomb Wing (309th BW). Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8930. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D Mitchell serial number 41-30765. Ferried across 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 at 8:40am took off piloted by Major James M. Burnham, III on an administrative flight bound for Leyte. Passenger Claymen was on the aircraft to collect some of his luggage left on Leyte. Last seen on take off and likely lost over Leyte Gulf. When this plane failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). 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. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Burnham also has a memorial marker at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA. Hutchinson earned the Air Medal. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Hutchinson also has a memorial marker at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. Topp is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Kuntz is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Santa Fe National Cemetery at section MA, site 74. Clayman is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Los Angeles National Cemetery at section MA, site C9. 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 Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-20 Mitchell 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 (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - James Mackau Burnham III (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Malcolm Frank Hutchinson (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Malcolm Frank Hutchinson (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Alvin C L Topp (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Maj Joseph W Kuntz (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Joseph Wayne Kuntz (photos) FindAGrave - 2Lt Owen B Clayman (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Owen Bennett Clayman (memorial marker photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated September 10, 2025
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 B-25  MIA 5 Missing |
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