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| USAF 92nd BW 98th BG 343rd BS Former Assignments USAAF |
Pilot Captain Charles B. Hodges (survived) Crew 1st Lt. Christopher P. Dixon (survived) Crew Captain Kenneth E. Blood (survived) Crew SSgt Elroy C. Foley (survived) Crew MSgt Eugene G. Hogan (survived) Crew Sgt Michael D. Serima (survived) Crew Cpl John H. Minion (survived) Crew Harlyn Glen “Harlie” Turner (survived) McCartney, WI Crew Sgt George R. Ham (survived) Crew SSgt Raymond E. Miller (survived) Ditched November 12, 1948 Aircraft History Built by Boeing. Constructors Number 11553. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-29A-60-BN Superfortress serial number 44-62076. On September 18, 1947 assigned to the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Wartime History Assigned to the 92nd Bombardment Wing (92nd BW), 98th Bombardment Group (98th BG), 343rd Bombardment Squadron (343rd BS). Nicknamed "Hogan's Goat" by assigned pilot Captain Charles B. Hodges. Mission History On November 12, 1948 took off fro Andersen AFB on Guam piloted by Captain Charles B. Hodges on a search mission to locate a B-29 Superfortress that ditched at sea. During the flight, this bomber experienced problems with the radar, navigation and radio equipment and became lost over the Pacific Ocean. Low on fuel after almost 20 hours airborne, the navigator spotted Fais Island and ditched parallel to the beach with the crew unhurt. Fates of the Crew The entire crew swam to nearby Fais Island where they met locals, exchanged gifts and were given food and shelter. Rescue On November 13, 1948 around noon used their "Gibson girl" radio to send an S.O.S. message that was heard by a B-29 in the vicinity that dropped food and water and a message saying a plane would rescue them. Before sunset, a U.S. Navy (USN) PBM Mariner arrived and landed in the open sea due to breakers from high wind. Locals paddled the crew out to the seaplane that flew the crew to Saipan where they were taken to the hospital, interviewed and photographed. A few days later they were flown back to Andersen AFB to rejoin their squadron. Wreckage The B-29 ditched intact and was photographed. Over the decades, the plane was broken up by wave action and storms. On March 2, 2002 former crew member Harlyn G. Turner and his grandson David Keck flew to Fais Airfield on Fais Island. They met elders who remembered when the bomber ditched and were shown wreckage from the B-29 including a propeller, engine and main landing gear tire and other wreckage. Restoration USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-29A-60-BN Superfortress 44-62076 Boeing B-29 Superfortress Units of the Korean War (1950-1953) - B-29 44-62076 NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harlyn G. Turner FindAGrave - Harlyn Glen “Harlie” Turner (photos, grave photo) H.G. Turner Hogan's Goat Ditched At Sea (photos) by H. G. Turner Fais Island - WWII Vet Returns to Fais Nearly 54 Years Later (photos) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated January 4, 2025 |
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