1943 – April 29, USAAF B-24 lost at sea, Hamilton Field, CA to Hickam Field, HI     —     10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-11-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  Baugher.  1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026).  5-18-2011 rev.

–10  East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association. “Darin E. Bowman.”

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator….40523 (11th FRG) lost between Hamilton Field, CA and Hickam Field, HI Apr 29, 1943. 10 killed.”  (Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026).  5-18-2011 revision.)

 

East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association. “Darin E. Bowman.”

 

“….Staff Sergeant Darwin E. Bowman served in the US Army Air Force. A Finding of Death was declared on 29 April 1943. He is listed on the Tablets of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii….

 

“Aircraft B-24D with serial number 42-40523 departed from Hamilton Field at 0343, 29 April 1943 with destination Hickam Field. First radio position reported was made at 0800 GCT. Second radio report at 0911 GCT, giving approx. position of 31 10 degrees N and 135 W. Weather was given by pilot as fog. Fast wind, temp. 180 degrees, visibility 1000 yards. ETA 1844 GCT. This was the last report received from the aircraft. Air and sea search stated on 30 April and ended 11 May, failed to reveal any evidence of wreckage. The aircraft was the second plane of the group of three and one of eight that was dispatched from Hamilton. Navy vessel reported 6 planes passed overhead after 0900 GCT in the vicinity of 31 degrees 04 N, 135 degrees W.

 

“Crew members

 

Pilot, 1st Lt Frederick L. Gossel
Co-Pilot, F/O Lloyd W. Paulson
Navigator, 2nd Lt Theodore Samek
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Jack V. Brown
Engineer, T/Sgt Byron B. Cromartie
Radio Operator, T/Sgt A. Louis Graner
Aerial Engineer, S/Sgt Clement R. Temple
AR, S/Sgt John S. Hottle
Gunner, S/Sgt Rutledge P. Fuller
Air Gunner, S/Sgt Darwin E. Bowman”

 

Sources

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). 5-18-2011 revision. Accessed 10-19-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_2a.html

 

East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association. “Darin E. Bowman.” Accessed 5-11-2024 at: https://www.etvma.org/veterans/darwin-e-bowman-10619/