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| USAAF 20th AF 314th BW 19th BG 30th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. John L. Schofield, Jr., O-742215 (KIA, BR) Memphis, TN Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. James E. Baker, O-831082 (KIA, BR) Chicago, IL Navigator 2nd Lt. Donald L. Bartholomew, O-2060454 (KIA, BR) Union City, IN Bombardier 1st Lt. Joseph G. Currier, O-1039445 (KIA, BR) Orono, ME Radar 2nd Lt. Warren H. Ransler, O-2068119 (POW survived) Syracuse, NY Engineer MSgt Robert E. Hartrich, 14054450 (KIA, BR) Pine Bluff, AR Radio SSgt Anthony F. Scolaro, 16078862 (POW died May 26, 1945, BR) Chicago, IL CFC Sgt Archer S. Kronick, 42121434 (POW died May 26, 1945, BR) North Adams, MA Right Gunner Sgt Francis J. Vogola, 42031485 (KIA, BR) Newburgh, NY Left Gunner Sgt Bertram L. Ware, 33898131 (POW died May 26, 1945, BR) Salisbury, MD Tail Gunner Sgt Henry L. Younge, 42031151 (POW died May 26, 1945, BNR, MIA) Copiague, NY Crashed April 16, 1945 MACR 14269 Aircraft History Built by Boeing. Constructors Number 10758. On February 19, 1945 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-29-70-BW Superfortress serial number 44-69871. When lost, engines R-3350-23A serial numbers DW205558, DW206659, DW206942 and DW206716. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers 1743997, 1744027, 1744034, 1743814, 1743927, 1962386, 1744137, 1744106, 1962043, 1744070, 1962261 and 1744166. Wartime History Assigned to the 20th Air Force (20th AF), 314th Bombardment Wing (314th BW), 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS) with code M-34 inside a black square (M square 34). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine and weapon serial numbers unknown. Mission History On April 15, 1945 at 5:30pm took off from North Field on Guam piloted by 1st Lt. John L. Schofield, Jr. as one of 194 B-29s on an incendiary bombing mission (Mission 68: Brisket 1) against Kawasaki in Japan. The weather was 4/10 cumulus cloud base at 1,800' with wind 60° at 15 knots with visibility over 15 miles. On April 16, 1945 at 12:30am the formation flying northward crossed Sagami Bay and reached the southern coast of Honshū in Japan. While approaching Yokohama Point, the aiming point for the bomb run, search lights illuminated this B-29 the bomber sustained a direct hit from an anti-aircraft shell while on the bomb run causing a fire and damage to the bomb bay doors. Aboard, pilot Schofield was slightly wounded in his shoulder and the B-29 managed to release its bomb load at 12:47am the turned with the formation to depart across Tokyo Bay. Meanwhile, the fire in the bomb bay spread and the bomb bay doors did not close. Approaching Chiba Prefecture, a fire began in inboard engines no. 2 and no. 3 and the bomber began to loose altitude rapidly. The pilots ordered the crew to bail out but the intercom system was damaged. The six crew in the rear of the bomber successfully bailed out including: Ware, Ransler, Scolaro, Kronick, Ware and Younge. Moments later, the burning B-29 went into a spin and likely the others were unable to bail out. Out of control, this B-29 crashed at Ohitsu village near Sueyoshi in Chiba Prefecture. When this bomber failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search Afterwards, a search was coordinated under the command of Major Wilson Moore, Air Sea Rescue Unit, 314th Bombardment Wing and conducted in accordance with the procedures of XXI Bomber Command with units from the U.S. Navy (USN). Fates of the Crew Five of the crew: Ware, Scolaro, Kronick, Ware and Younge were quickly captured by the Japanese and became Prisoners Of War (POW) and transported to Tokyo. At one time, Scolaro was the cell mate of 1st Lt Fiske Hanley navigator B-29 42-24864 shot down March 27, 1945. The five were detained at Tokyo Military Prison (Shibuya Military Prison). On May 26, 1945 they all died in a fire at Tokyo Military Prison (Shibuya Military Prison) including Kronick. Ransler managed to evade capture for 19 days until he was discovered and became a Prisoner Of War (POW). On May 5, 1945 he was transported to Tokyo and later was one of 50-100 Allied POWs transfered to an unknown location then was moved with other POWs to another unknown location then to Ofuna Camp. While detained, he was told all B-29 crew members were to be tried as war criminals. Ransler survived captivity until the surrender of Japan. At the end of the Pacific War, liberated from Tokyo POW Camp (Shinjuku) Tokyo Bay Area 35-140. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of the crew were recovered and transported to the United States for permanent burial. Younge remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Schofield was officially declared dead April 16, 1945. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Schofield is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery at section K site 146. Baker was officially declared dead April 16, 1945. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Postwar, he was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section N site 294. Bartholomew was officially declared dead April 16, 1945. Postwar, he was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section P site 546. Currier was officially declared dead the day of the mission April 16, 1945. Postwar, he was buried at Park Street Cemetery in Lincoln, ME. Hartrich was officially declared dead the day of the mission April 16, 1945. Postwar, he was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section Q site 1005. Scolaro was officially declared dead May 26, 1945. Postwar, he was buried at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, IL. Kronick was officially declared dead May 26, 1945. On February 15, 1950 he was buried at Long Island National Cemetery at section H site 10114. He also has a memorial marker at Agudat Achim Cemetery in Rotterdam, NY at section F, row 16, plot 8A. Vogola was officially declared dead the day of the mission April 16, 1945. On February 14, 1949 he was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section M site 672. Ware was officially declared dead May 26, 1945. On October 9, 1946 he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34, site 4488. Younge was officially declared dead May 26, 1945. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Younge remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). He is memorialized at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 5. Ransler continued in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and served in the Korean War. He retired with the rank of Captain. He passed away March 8, 1995 at age 74 and is buried at Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Syracuse, NY. Relatives Janet Clement (niece of Henry L. Younge) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John L. Schofield, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Warren H. Ransler NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Joseph G. Currier NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Anthony F. Scolaro NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Archer S. Kronick NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Francis J. Vogola NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Bertram L. Ware NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Henry L. Younge USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-29-70-BW Superfortress 44-69871 "44-69871 (19th BG, 30th BS) crashed from unknown cause at Sueyoshi Chiba, Japan Apr 16, 1945 while on mission to Kawasaki, Japan. MACR 14269. 5 crew killed, 6 bailed out and became POW." Missing Air Crew Report 14269 (MACR 14269) created April 17, 1945 NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Warren H. Ransler NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File does not list Scolaro, Kronick, Ware and Younge Honor States - John L Schofield Jr FindAGrave - 1LT John L Schofield Jr. (grave photos) FindAGrave - 2LT James E Baker (grave photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Donald Lee “Don” Bartholomew (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Joseph Gardiner Currier (photo, grave photo) Letter by 1st Lt Warren H. Ransler "Prisoners of War Transferred from Kempei Headquarters o/a 10 May 1945" April 10, 1946 to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington, DC. FindAGrave - Warren H. Ransler (grave photo) Honor States - Robert E Hartrich (photo) FindAGrave - MSgt Robert E Hartrich (grave photo) Letter by 1st Lt Fiske Hanley, (398th BS., 504th BG) navigator B-29 42-24864) shot down March 27, 1945 confirms Sgt Anthony "Tony" Scolaro was his cell mate at one location then on May 9, 1945 transfered to another location. FindAGrave - SSGT Anthony Frank Scolaro (news, grave photo) FindAGrave - SGT Archer S Kronick (crew photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt. Archer Sy Kronick (crew photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Francis J Vogola (grave photo) Arlington National Cemetery ANC Explorer - Bertram L. Ware (grave photos) Daily Times "Salisburian Presumed Dead In Prison Fire Set By Yank Planes" April 24, 1946 FindAGrave - SGT Bertram Lee Ware (photos, grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Henry L. Younge FindAGrave - Sgt Henry Lawrence “Harry” Younge (photos, courts of the missing photo) The B-29 Superfortress A Comprehensive Registry of the Planes and Their Missions page 67 The B-29 Superfortress Chronology, 1934-1960 page 136 (44-69871), 143 (April 15: 44-69871), 306 (index 44-69871) Newsday "World War II MIA: Family hopes effort will bring Harry Younge home" by Chris Carola June 3, 2022 Newsday "Hopes for her Uncle Harry: New effort will seek to ID remains of POWs" by Chris Carola June 3, 2022 pages E15-E17 [print version] 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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 B-29  Photo Archive  POW/MIA 5 Prisoners 1 Missing |
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