USAAF
7th AF
11th BG
98th BS
Circa 1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Arthur W. Suojanen, O-799498 (MIA / KIA) CT
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Anthony F. Eckhart , O-803954 (MIA / KIA) PA
Navigator 2nd Lt. William S. Bowman, O-671270 (MIA / KIA) Missouri
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Emil A. Nummi, O-679644 (MIA / KIA) MN
Bombardier Captain Howard M Bazemore, Jr., O-661581 (MIA / KIA) AL
Engineer T/Sgt. Harry O. Shean, 35303430 (MIA / KIA) OH
Asst Engineer S/Sgt. Alex H. Ballard, 34430329 (MIA / KIA) NC
Radio T/Sgt James Paul, 32447984 (MIA / KIA) NY
Asst Radio Sgt. William T. Atchley, Jr., 38166968 (MIA / KIA) NM
Gunner S/Sgt. Donald H. Beebe, 32674376 (MIA / KIA) NY
Gunner S/Sgt. Robert Merunka, 32516563 (MIA / KIA) NY
Crashed May 4, 1944
MACR 4622
Aircraft History
This B-24 was sponsored by Actor Don Ameche and nicknamed "Heaven Can Wait" after his film, Heaven Can Wait released in 1943.
Crew History
Captain Bazemore was Lead Bombardier for the 98th BS, for a period of one year.
Mission History
Aircraft was engaged on a bombing mission from Eniwetok to Ponape. Due to electrical problems the aircraft was delayed on take off for approximately two hours. It was never heard from again.
There were reports by "Tokyo Rose" that a B-24 was shot down over Ponape on the date in question. This was the only B-24 that did not return.
Memorials
The entire crew was declared dead on February 9, 1946 and are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Memorial (Punchbowl).
Relatives
Richard Bazemore (nephew of Howard M Bazemore Jr.)
"My uncle
was bombardier / observer on bombing run over Ponape, May 4, 1944. Took off from Eniwetok late from rest of squadron, never seen or heard from again. English news Broadcast several nights later, out of Tokyo, mentioned B-24 shot down on this date. It was daylight bombing mission. Just wondering if there could be eyewitnesses that might remember, what happen, since they would have flown over target, alone after the other group had left."
Sandie Miller (niece of Anthony F. Eckhart)
"Any information at all would greatly be appreciated. I am also keeping in touch with Richard Bazemore, the Bombaidier’s nephew. We are both trying to obtain information and/or pictures. We would like to do a tribute to our Uncles. I for one would love to visit the area the plane went down maybe just perhaps drop a wreath or do something to honor him. He is my idol and hero I will most likely be the last person in the family to search for him and I would like to leave a legacy to my children of how proud they should be of their second uncle."
References
Thanks to Richard Bazemore, Sandie Miller and Daniel Leahy for information
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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B-24
MIA
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