Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-3-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 10 Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 rev.

— 10 Mireles 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 814.

— 10 Nebraska State Historical Society. B-24J Bomber Crash.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Consolidated B-24J-180-CO Liberator….40758 (494^th BG, 866^th BS) caught fire while flying in thunderstorm, exploded in midair and crashed 2 mi SE of Chappell, Nebraska Jun 7, 1944. All 10 onboard killed.” (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision.)

Mireles: “At 0430, a Consolidated B-24J suffered a fire in flight and crashed two miles southeast of Chappell, Nebraska, killing the crew of ten. The subject airplane, along with 14 other B-24s, had taken off at 0330 from Lincoln, Nebraska, on a flight to an active theater of war via Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Field, Fairfield, California. The airplane was flying at approximately 15,000 feet msl when it “developed a fire of unknown origin.” The B-24J descended to about 500 feet agl and for about five minutes circled the town of Chappell. The airplane then exploded in mid-air, scattering flaming wreckage over an area of approximately one mile. No crewmembers were able to parachute to safety.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 2, July 1943-July 1944, p. 814.)

Nebraska State Historical Society: “During World War II Nebraska was home to eleven air bases, which filled the sky with planes engaged in training aircrews. On June 7, 1944, fifteen B-24 bombers departed from the Lincoln Army Air Base en route to the west coast.

“During a thunderstorm B-24J #44-40758 caught fire, descended to 500 feet, and began circling the town of Chappell, Nebraska, when it exploded about two miles southeast of here. All personnel aboard were killed instantly.

“The ten airmen who made the supreme sacrifice while serving their country were: 2^nd Lt. Donald S. Wallace, Peculiar, MO; 2^nd Lt. Colon A. Holland, Waynesboro, MS; 2^nd Lt. Frank K. Duffey, Cranford, NJ; 2^nd Lt. Paul E. Rose, Mammoth Springs, AK; S/Sgt. Robert E. Rogers, Camilla, GA; S/Sgt. Vance C. Johnson, Stromsburg, NE; Sgt. Bernard T. Clark, New York, NY; Sgt. Ralph A. Young, Anadarko, OK; Sgt. Peter L. Zamboto, Rochester, NY; and M/Sgt. William E. Webster, Oneonta, NY. All were members of the 866^th Bombardment Squadron (H), Seventh Air Force.” (Nebraska State Historical Society. B-24J Bomber Crash.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-40049 to 44-70254). Oct 28, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-25-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_4.html

Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 2: July 1943 – July 1944). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.

Nebraska State Historical Society. B-24J Bomber Crash. Accessed 11-8-2009 at: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/b-24j_bomber_crash.htm

1944 – June 7, USAAF B-24J in-flight fire in thunderstorm, crash 2M SE Chappell, NE–10