1943 — March 29, USAAF B-17F flies into rising terrain 16M E of Ellensburg, WA   —  all 9

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-14-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

-9  Baugher, Joe. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 revision.

–9  Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, TX.  “Bomber Crash Takes Lives of Nine Men.” 4-4-1943, 12.

–9  Mireless 2006. Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents…US…, V. 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1943, p. 321.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Boeing B-17F-55-BO Fortress….29500 crashed 16 mi E of Ellensburg, WA Mar 29, 1943.  9 killed.” (Baugher, Joe F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). 10-28-2011 revision.)

Newspaper

April 3, AP: “Ephrata, Wash., April 3. (AP) – Discovery bomber which carried nine airmen to their deaths was announced today at the Ephrata Army air base. The wrecked plane was discovered about 85 miles west of the air base, near Ellensburg. The bomber failed to return to its Ephrata base from a routine training mission last Monday morning.  Army officials left for the scene of the crash immediately after the identification. A board of inquiry was set up to investigate the accident.  The dead were listed as:

Second Lt. Derek Bovingdon, Winnetka, Ill.;

Second Lt. Andrew L. Bowman, Detroit, Mich.;

Second Lt. Ennis D. Heke, Wapato, Wash.;

Second Lt. Eryle W. Boettcher, Bloomer, Wis.;

Staff Sgt. Max E. Miller, Knoxville, Tenn.;

Staff Sgt. William Miller, Baltimore. Md.;

Staff Sgt. Edward T. Miller, Bethlehem, Pa.;

Staff Sgt. Ralph C. Wagner, Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Sgt. Ray W. Stitzel, Camp Hill, Pa.”

(Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, TX.  “Bomber Crash Takes Lives of Nine Men.” 4-4-1943, p. 12.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-001 to 42-30031). Oct 28 2011 revision. Accessed 12-9-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_1.html

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, TX. “Bomber Crash Takes Lives of Nine Men.” 4-4-1943, p. 12. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=107425771

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.