|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 20th AF 497th BG 869th BS   USAAF 1944 |
Pilot Captain Walter R. Young, O-382584 (MIA / KIA) Ponca City, OK Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert M. Phillips, O-806901 (MIA / KIA) TN Navigator 2nd Lt. Paul R. Garrison, Jr., O-698695 (MIA / KIA) Lancaster, PA Bombardier 2nd Lt. John F. Ellis, O-685457 (MIA / KIA) Moberly, MO Engineer 2nd Lt. Bernard S. Black, O-866285 (MIA / KIA) Woodhaven, NY CFC SSgt Lawrence L. Lee, 37252164 (MIA / KIA) Max, ND Radio SSgt George E. Avon, 32935478 (MIA / KIA) Syracuse, NY Left Gunner Sgt Corbett L. Carnegie, 12214591 (MIA / KIA) Grindstone Island, NY Right Gunner Sgt Wilbur J. Chapman, 38606304 (MIA / KIA) Panhandle, TX Tail Gunner SSgt Joseph J. Gatto, 12024315 (MIA / KIA) Falconer, NY Radar SSgt Kenneth N. Mansir, 11097819 (MIA / KIA) Randolph, ME MIA January 9, 1945 MACR 10908 Aircraft History Built by Boeing. At the factory, this bomber had an unpainted aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-29-75-BW Superfortress serial number 44-70010. Project Number 98087. Wartime History Assigned to the 20th Air Force (20th AF), 497th Bombardment Group (497th BG), 869th Bombardment Squadron (869th BS). Tail code A ▢ 5 (A Square 5 / A5). Nicknamed "Waddy's Wagon" in bubble lettering outlined in white after pilot Captain Walter R. Young whose nickname was "Waddy" with the nose art of the crew painted as caricatures being pulled in a wagon by Young. Below the cockpit window was "Waddy" Young A.P.C. [Aircraft Commander]. Below the center window was "Garrison Nav". When lost, engine and weapon serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 10908 (MACR 10908). On November 24, 1944 took off on Isley Field on Saipan a bombing mission (Mission 1) against targets in the Tokyo area. This was the first 20th Air Force bombing mission against Japan. Returning, this B-29 was the first to land at Isley Field after successfully completing the mission. Mission History On January 9, 1945 took off from Isley Field on Saipan piloted by Captain Walter R. Young on (Mission 18) on a bombing mission against Nakajima Musashino Aircraft Factory at Musashino west of Tokyo. The formation included 72 B-29s from the 73rd Bomb Wing (73rd BW). Inbound, high winds in the jet stream caused the B-29 formation to break up and caused the bombers to arrive in three waves. Over the target, intercepted by Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) fighters from the 47th Sentai at Narimasu Airfield plus Ki-61 Tonys from the 244th Sentai with intercepting fighters deliberately ramming B-29s. The B-29s were also intercepted by Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) J1N1 Irvings from the 302 Kokutai (302 Air Group) that claimed one bomber shot down without loss. This B-29 was reportedly intercepted by enemy fighters and hit by gunfire. Last seen at 3:41pm at 27,000' roughly 10 miles east of Chosi Point off Japan descending with B-29 piloted by Lt. Crownell that had an engine on fire. No damage was visible on this bomber and it was believed it might have ditched into the sea. When this aircraft failed to return, the entire crew was listed as Missing In Action (MIA) as one of six B-29s lost on the mission. Search Afterwards, the missing bombers were reported to 73rd Bombardment Wing (73rd BW) but it is unclear if any search missions were flown. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead January 10, 1946. All are memorialized at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing. Young on court 5. Young earned the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart, posthumously. Phillips earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Garrison earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Ellis earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Black earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Lee earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Avon earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Carnegie earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Chapman earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker in West Park Cemetery in Hereford, TX the epitaph reads "shot down over Pacific gunner on B-29 Waddy's Wagon". Gatto earned the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Falconer, NY. Mansir earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John O. Vick NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Allan M. Cohen USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-29-40-BW Superfortress 42-24598 "24598 (497th BG, 869th BS) ditched in Pacific Ocean due to battle damage Jan 9, 1945 while returning from mission to Musashino aircraft factor near Tokyo, Japan. MACR 10908. All 11 crew killed." Missing Air Crew Report 10908 (MACR 10908) created January 10, 1945 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter R. Young FindAGrave - Capt Walter Roland “Waddy” Young (photos, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert M. Phillips East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association (ETVMA) - Robert M. Phillips FindAGrave - 2LT Robert M Phillips (courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul R. Garrison, Jr. FindAGrave - 2LT Paul R Garrison Jr. (photos, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John F. Ellis FindAGrave - 2LT John F Ellis (photos, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Bernard S. Black FindAGrave - 2LT Bernard S “Bunny” Black (photo, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lawrence L. Lee FindAGrave - Lawrence L. Lee (photo, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George E. Avon FindAGrave - S/Sgt George Edward Avon (photo, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Corbett L. Carnegie FindAGrave - SGT Corbett L Carnegie (photo, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wilbur J. Chapman FindAGrave - SGT Wilbur James “Sleepy” Chapman (photo, courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Wilbur James Chapman (photo, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph J. Gatto FindAGrave - SSgt Joseph J Gatto (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Joseph J. Gatto (photo, memorial marker photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Kenneth M. Mansir FindAGrave - SSgt Kenneth M. Mansir (courts of the missing photo) B-29 Hunters of the JAAF (2000) by Koji Takaki and Henry Sakaida page 69-72 (9 January 1945) (page 71) "Japanese newspapers reported the following day that two B-29s had been shot down off Choshi Point." (Page 72) "Another victim of a ramming was Miss Behavin (42-24655) from the 497th BG, flown by 1Lt Ben Crowell. Capt Walter Young in Waddy's Wagon (42-24598) tried to cover for his crippled wingmate as they headed out of the target area but eventually lost them. Young's aircraft had also sustained hits from enemy fighters, and he in turn eventually ditched his aeroplane into the sea. Both crews were lost." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-29  MIA 11 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
