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

–10 Aircraft Wrecks in the Mountains and Deserts of the American West. “B-24D, 5/29/43.

–10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 388.

Narrative Information

Aircraft Wrecks in the Mountains and Deserts of the American West. “B-24D, 5/29/43:

“On the morning of May 29, 1943, B-24D #42-40397 departed Pocatello Army Air Base, ID, for an over-water navigation training mission above the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft was assigned to the 538th Bomb Squadron, 382nd Bomb Group. After refueling at Marysville AAF, CA, the aircraft was to fly west to a point about 150 miles offshore, where it would rendezvous with 9 other B-24’s. Weather that day was good, with some clouds at 10,000 ft. After departing Marysville at 3:18 p.m., no radio contact was made with the bomber, and it was not seen by any other aircraft. #42-40397 failed to show up at the rendezvous point, and the next day aircraft from Hamilton AAF, CA, began a search over land and sea. A possible life raft was spotted, but further investigation was hampered by bad weather over the next few days. The search was suspended on June 3, 1943, and the B-24D was declared lost at sea. No trace of it was ever found. Crew:

Pilot                            Lt. Paul V. Pavel, Solon, IA
Co-Pilot                       Lt. Forrest H. Branson, San Diego, CA
Navigator                    Lt. Paul R. Ohlhault, Cincinnati, OH
Bombardier                 Lt. Raymond R. Ramey, Wyandotte, MI
Engineer                      S/Sgt. Edwin H. Johnson, Indian Springs, GA
Radio Operator           Sgt. Carleton H. Lewis, Higginsville, WV
Assistant Engineer      S/Sgt. Elvin L. Grundstrom, Duluth, MN
Assistant Radio           Sgt. Henry J. Marra, Dysart, PA
Gunner                        S/Sgt. Harry E. Williford, Elvins, Missouri
Armorer-Gunner         S/Sgt. Edgar H. Schmidt, Oshkosh, WI”

Mireles: “5-29-43. Location Unknown. At a an unknown time after 1518 PWT, a Consolidated B-24D [42-40397] disappeared and is presumed to have crashed in the Pacific Ocean while on a routine navigation training flight. The crew was missing and presumed lost at sea. The B-24 was on individual over-water navigation flight and was to rendezvous with nine other B-24s at a point 140 nautical miles out to sea. The airplane never arrived at the rendezvous point and was never seen again. Investigators noted that the airplane had nine hours worth of fuel on board when it took off from Marysville Army Air Field, California. The B-24 and crew were stationed at Pocatello Army Air Field, Pocatello, Idaho. Missing and presumed lost at sea were:

2Lt. Paul V. Pavel, pilot; [Also noted in Find a Grave. Was 20]

2Lt. Forrest H. Branson, co-pilot;

2Lt. Paul R. Chlhault, navigator;

2Lt. Raymond R. Ramey, bombardier;

SSgt. Edwin A. Johnson, engineer;

Sgt. Carleton H. Lewis, radio operator;

SSgt. Edwin L. Grundstrom, assistant engineer;

Sgt. Henry J. Marra, assistant radio operator;

SSgt. Harry E. Williford, gunner;

SSgt. Edgar H. Schmidt, gunner.”

(Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p388.)

Sources

Aircraft Wrecks in the Mountains and Deserts of the American West. “B-24D, 5/29/43. Accessed 5-11-2024 at: https://www.aircraftwrecks.com/pages/idaho%20sites/b-24d-5-29-43.htm

Find a Grave. “Lt Paul Victor Pavel.” Memorial ID 19018140 accessed 5-11-2024 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19018140/paul-victor-pavel

Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1: Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.

1943 – May 29, USAAF B-24D out of Pocatello ID lost, trng. flight, Pacific off west coast–all 10