Compiled 12-23-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–9 Aviation Safety Network. USAAF B-29 crash, Soldier Creek, KY, 1 July 1945.

–9 Baugher, Joe. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92087). 6-4-2023 revision.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database, 1945, p. 101:

“Date: Sunday 1 July 1945

“Time: night

“Type: Boeing B-29 Superfortress

“Owner/operator: 237^th CCTS BU USAAF

“Registration: 44-86334

….

“Fatalities: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 10

….

“Location: Soldier Creek, 6 miles South of Bonton [Benton], Kentucky – USA

“Phase: En route

“Nature: Military

“Departure airport: Nashville, Tennessee

“Destination airport: Colorado

“Narrative:

“Martin-Omaha B-29-50-MO Superfortress 44-86334: Built under license by Glenn L. Martin Company, Omaha, Nebraska. Assigned to Combat Crew Training Squadron, 237th Army Air Force Base Unit (237th CCTS) Kirtland AAF, New Mexico.

“Written off (destroyed) July 1, 1945 when crashed at Soldier Creek, 6 mile South of Bonton, Kentucky: The plane had refueled in Nashville and was on its way to Colorado before returning to New Mexico. Only one of the ten crew survived, the other nine were killed. Corporal Irving Elias, the lone survivor of the crash was thrown from the tail of the aircraft after hearing a loud explosion. Elias was able to successfully deploy his parachute and survived the fall of almost 8,000 feet.

“Elias sought shelter from the heavy rain and electrical storm by staying under a bush until daybreak when he walked to the residence of Maxine Bhannon who took Elias to a hospital in nearby Benton, Kentucky. A memorial stone stands at the crash site, and reads as follows:

On July 1, 1945, A B-29 Superfortress crashed near Soldier Creek Church. Nine men aboard the B-29 lost their lives and one* survived after being thrown from the aircraft and parachuting to safety. This monument shall remain in remembrance of their sacrifice and of those who have served and continue to serve on foreign and domestic soils as ambassadors for our freedom and democracy.

1st Lieutenant Joseph F Arone
Corporal Roy G Berryhill
2nd Lietenant Ward W Copenhaurer
2nd Lietenant Richard O Snow
Flight Officer Eugene M Graham
Sergeant Romold A Kryzan
Sergeant Delmar H Lumberg
Sergeant Arnold A Rushton
Flight Officer James R Schetzsle
Corporal Irving A Elias

Erected by Marshall County Fiscal Court Sept 7, 2008″”

Baugher: “….Martin-Omaha B-29-50-MO Superfortress….86334 Assigned to Combat Crew Training Squadron, 237^th Army AF Base Unit, Kirtland AAF, NM (237^th CCTX) crashed 6 mi SSW of Benton, Kentucky during cross country flight during electrical storm Jul 1, 1945. 9 killed, one survived.”

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database, 1945, p. 101. USAAF B-29 crash, Soldier Creek, KY, 1 July 1945. Accessed 12-23-2023 at:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/98526

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-83886 to 44-92087). 6-4-2023 revision. Accessed 12-23-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_6.html

1945 — July 01, USAAF B-29 explosion and crash in thunderstorm, 6M S of Benton, KY– 9