crash off Kwajalein Isl., Marshall Isls.–16

lornajarrettblanchard April 19, 1947

— 16 Bakersfield Californian. “Kwajalein Crash Kills Californian.” 4-22-1947, 1.

— 16 Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). 10-15-2011 revision.

— 16 Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. “Jamestown Man Killed.” 4-23-1947, p. 10.

— 16 La Crosse Tribune, WI. “16 Die in B-29 Crash.” 4-23-1947, p. 4.

— 16 New Castle News, PA. “List U.S. Airmen Killed in Japan.” 4-25-1947, p. 16.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Boeing B-29-85-BW Superfortress…87638 crashed on takeoff from Kwajelein Apr 19, 1947. 16 killed.” (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). 10-15-2011 revision.)

Newspapers

April 22, AP: “Honolulu, April 22. (AP) – Two California soldiers were killed in a spectacular B-29 bomber air-crash in which 16 American airmen perished over Kwajalein island,[1] United States Seventh Air Forces reported today. The plane flashed fire from one of its engines as it was taking off from [for] Guam, exploded into a flaming ball and crashed into the sea. The Californians were Lieutenant Ralph L. Keltner, Ontario, and Corporal Donald K. Vanbecke, San Diego.”

(Bakersfield Californian. “Kwajalein Crash Kills Californian.” 4-22-1947, p. 1.)

April 23: “Jamestown – When a B-29 exploded in mid-air and crashed into the Pacific off Kwajalein Island, one of the 16 airmen killed was Lt. Walter A. Nih, 22, son of Mrs. Alfred Nih, 212 West Falconer street, Falconer…” (Dunkirk Observer, NY. “Jamestown Man Killed.” 4-23-1947, p.10.)

April 23, AP: “Honolulu – (AP) – A B-29 bomber in which 16 American airmen were taking off for Guam rose from Kwajalein island’s narrow airfield, flashed fire from one of its engines, exploded into a flaming ball and crashed into the sea killing all aboard, U. S. seventh air force headquarters reported Tuesday. There was no indication of the cause of the fire. Eleven of the dead were commissioned officers; the other five enlisted men.” (La Crosse Tribune, WI. “16 Die in B-29 Crash.” 4-23-1947, 4.)

April 25, INS: “Tokyo, April 25 – (INS) – The names of 16 U.S. Army airmen killed in the crash of a B-29 bomber near Kwajalein last Sunday were announced today by headquarters of the Far East Air Forces in Tokyo. The victims included:

Maj. Banwood J. Wilding, White Plains, N. Y.;

Capt. Gerhardt Murphy, Brooklyn, N.Y.;

Lt. Walter A. Nib, Jamestown, N.Y.;

Lt. John P. Feight, Reynoldsville, Pa.;

Lt. Edward Carroll, Providence, R.I.; and

Lt. James Lantoe…Scranton, Pa.”

(New Castle News, PA. “List U.S. Airmen Killed in Japan.” 4-25-1947, p. 16.)

Sources

Bakersfield Californian. “Kwajalein Crash Kills Californian.” 4-22-1947, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=153986735

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92098). Oct 15, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-31-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_6.html

Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. “Jamestown Man Killed [USAF B-29 Crash off Kwajalein].” 4-23-1947, p. 10. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53942183

La Crosse Tribune, WI. “16 Die in B-29 Crash [Kwajalein Island, Pacific].” 4-23-1947, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=61852784

New Castle News, PA. “List U.S. Airmen Killed in Japan [Kwajalein Island].” 4-25-1947, p. 16. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=57172390

[1] The island was part of the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll test site at the time. In 1986, independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.” (Wikipedia. “Marshall Islands.” 12-30-2011 update.)