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Pilot Captain John J. Dean, CNAC (KIA) St. Peter, MN Co-Pilot James S. Browne, CNAC (KIA) Winnetka, IL Radio K. L. Yang, Chinese (KIA) Crashed November 17, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 4681. On September 2, 1942 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47-DL Skytrain serial number 41-18556. Ferried overseas to China India Burma (CBI). Wartime History On October 14, 1942 assigned to the 10th Air Force (10th AF) in India. On December 18, 1942 transfered to the Chinese National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) with registration number 60. Also known as CNAC-60, CNAC No. 60 or CNAC #60. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 17, 1942 took off on on a flight to Kunming Airfield in China piloted by Captain John J. Dean with co-pilot James S. Browne and a Chinese radio operator K. L. Yang with cargo flying on "Able Route" over "The Hump" Himalayan Mountains bound for Dinjan Airfield in India. Before take off, the tower at Kunming Airfield notified the pilot that there was an incoming Japanese attack and this aircraft should quickly take off to avoid the attack. Roughly an hour into the flight, southeast of Likiang this aircraft reported that it was icing and radioed another CNAC aircraft piloted by Robbie Robertson, requesting information about the conditions on his more southerly "Charlie Route". This was the last radio contact and was reported as missing. This was the first loss of American personnel aboard a CNAC aircraft. Wreckage On September 29, 2011 the crash site of this C-47 was discovered by Clayton Kuhles / MIA Recoveries at an elevation of 13,400' in Yunnan Province in China. A piece of aluminum wreckage was found with the stamped constructors number 4681. Memorials The entire crew were killed on the day of the mission. Dean has a memorial marker at Calvary Cemetery in Saint Peter, MN. Relatives Robert L. Willett (nephew of Browne) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47-DL Skytrain 41-18556 "18556 (MSN 4681) to USAAF Sep 02, 1942 - 10th AF, India Oct 14, 1942. Diverted to Chinese National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) Dec 18, 1942. Missing during flight from Kunming to Dinjan Nov 17, 1942." The Aluminum Trail (1989) by Chick Marrs Quinn page 7 MIA Recoveries - Crash Site Discoveries - C-47DL #41-18556 a.k.a. CNAC #60 DC-1, DC-2, DC-3 The First Seventy Years (2010) by J. Michael G. Gradidge page 335 (CN 4681) FindAGrave - Capt John J Dean (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - James Sallee “Jimmy” Browne Florida Today "The wait finally is over for a Merritt Island man" January 1, 2012 Daily Mail "69 years after hero American war pilot died, family find his lost plane 13,000ft up a Himalayan mountain" January 2, 2012 The Hunt for Jimmie Browne: An MIA Pilot in World War II China (2020) by Robert L. Willett Aviation Safety Network (ASN) - C47 (DC-3) CNA 60 Thanks to Clayton Kuhles for additional information 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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