Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-2-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 11 Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-91974 to 42-110188). 10-28-2011 rev.

— 8 Ogden Standard-Examiner, UT. “Eight Airmen Die in Idaho Bomber Crash.” 7-1-1944, 2.

— 8 Salisbury Times, MD. “Eight Dead, Three Safe in Crash of Liberator.” 7-1-1944, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Consolidated B-24J-60-CO Liberator….100019 engine caught fire and right wing failed during bomb practice near Gowen Field, Idaho and crashed Jun 29, 1944. 11 killed.” (Baugher. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-91974 to 42-110188). 10-28-2011 rev.)

Newspaper

July 1, AP: “Boise, Idaho, July 1 (AP) — Eight crew men perished when a Gowen field Liberator bomber crashed six miles west of here Thursday night, but three others parachuted to safety, Colonel John R. Kane, station commandant, disclosed….Bill Woods, owner of the airport, used to train civilian and military fliers, estimated his loss at $50,000. Nine other aircraft were pushed to safety. The dead:

Second Lieutenant James R. Southard, 5 North Clinton Ave., Gloucester, N. J.

Second Lieutenant Edgar B. Martin, Jr., 133 Furman St., Syracuse, N. Y.

Second Lieutenant Neil C. Von Arb, 2632 Elmwood, Kansas City, Mo.

Corporal Forrest E. Freeman, Rt. 1, Simpson, Kans.

Corporal James H. Lamm, Rt. 1, Ellenboro, W. Va.

Corporal Welton E. Pagenkopp, 505 E. Bishop St., Santa Ana, Calif

Pfc. Vernon R. Dennis, 2740 Holly, Kansas City, Mo.

Pfc. Paul H. Fraley, R. F. D. 1, Alexandria, Va.”

(Ogden Standard-Examiner, UT. “Eight Airmen Die in Idaho Bomber Crash.” 7-1-1944, 2.)

July 1, AP: “Boise, Idaho, July 1 – (AP) – Eight crew men perished when a Gowen Field Liberator bomber crashed six miles west of here Thursday night [June 29], but three others parachuted to safety, Col. John R. Kane, station commandant, said today. The plane crashed at Floating Feather Auxiliary Airport[1] and fire from the burning wreckage destroyed three small planes, two automobiles, a hangar and a storage shed, and started grass fires which burned over 1,000 acres of land.” (Salisbury Times, MD. “Eight Dead, Three Safe in Crash of Liberator.” 7-1-1944, 1.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-91974 to 42-110188). Oct 28, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-17-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_5.html

Ogden Standard-Examiner, UT. “Eight Airmen Die in Idaho Bomber Crash.” 7-1-1944, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=54028780

Salisbury Times, MD. “Eight Dead, Three Safe in Crash of Liberator.” 7-1-1944, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=668150

[1] Closed some point before 1998 and site now a housing development. (Paul Freeman. “Floating Feather Airport, Eagle, ID.” Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Southern Idaho. 8-27-2004 revision.)

1944 — June 29, USAAF B-24 engine fire, crash, Floating Feather Auxiliary AP, Eagle, ID– 8