USAAF
13th AF
42nd BG
100th BS
1945 via Beard
Pilot 1st Lt. Leonard Orcutt, O-764768
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert Emerson, O-796347
Navigator Lt Harry Bedard, O-707927
Engineer S/Sgt George
L. Winkler, 15170329
Gunner Sgt Willis Ehrhardt, 19158202
Radio T/Sgt Louis Miller, 13114684
Crashed April 3, 1945
MACR 13743
Mission History
Went
down on the island of Cebu near Consolacion, Philippines. There
was no fire. A patrol was advised to look for survivors. The
next day civilians found Lt. Ehrhardt alive but he died soon
after. Another body was found in a swamp.
Legacy of Remains
Ehrhardt was recovered and buried USAF Cemetery No. 1 Cebu
4 April 1945. Disinterred 1946 reinterred 1946 Leyte. Brought to
US for burial 1948. The remains of the five crewmen were recovered
13 January 1947 and interred as unknowns in USAF Cemetery Leyte
#1 on 20 February 1947, Common Grave 8490 as X 566, X 567, X 568,
X 569, X 570.
In 1949 disinterred and sent to AGRS Mausoleum, Manila, Hanger 802, Row A
Crypt 250 thru 254 as X 2363, X 2364, X 2366, X 2367, X 2369.
April1949 - Records stated that the remains cannot be individually identified,
Assigned names of crew of Mission #299. Declared KIA 4 April 1945. The crew
of five disinterred and brought to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery,
St. Louis, MO., for group burial December 1949.
1951
In documents received several years ago there was a request for my brother's
dental records. The year 1951. Leary at this point I was concerned whom
I should contact. Several years went by. January 2001 I received a letter
written to someone else in 1978. The letter was written by a Mr. Harvey.
He told of how, while he was with the Army on Cebu, he recieved "several
gunny sacks filled with skeletons, dog tags and a plane number" which
he in turn sent to Clark AFB Manila. The year...1951! Now I knew.
Recoveries in Consolacion, Cebu Area
After the first find in 1951 a search team went to the crash
site and recovered additional remains. I had been in touch with
CILHI and requested IDPF's of all the crew. In those records were
requests for dental records. One memo, 6 March 1951, states Orcutt
and Emerson "now in our custody" and identification tags.
Both are supposed to be buried with my brother in St Louis. There
were several others not yet identified. No resolution as to what
was done and the families were never notified I have recently learned
another search team went to the site in 1953. Again additional
remains were recovered. At this pont in time the government does
not know where the remains found in 1951 and 1953, are. They are
MIA.
Seeking Information
My brother, S/Sgt George L. Winkler was with the 13th Air
Force, 100th Sq., 42nd Grp. He wrote in his journal that on November
17, 1944 he was on detached service to the 5th Air Force, 822 Sq.,
38th Grp. On his last mission 3 April 1945 his plane
I have really
struggled with all of this for a long time. CILHI became involved in
January 2001. Their interest was in the Harvey letter. However, everytime
I told them my story I was handed off to another person and we would
start over. I have recently asked Senator John Warner (VA) to help.
They are very interested. As far as the government is concerned,
my brother is accounted for and buried in St. Louis. He is not.
I want him reclassified as MIA. I have just received a DNA kit
which I will send to the lab in Maryland. I appreciate this opportunity
Justin has given me. If anyone can help me I will be grateful.
My brother gave his life for his country. He deserves
to come home with dignity and honor.
Seeking
Resolution
CILHI, Army Casualty, plus a myried of others have no idea
where the documents or the remains are located, can you help?
Relatives
Mrs. Mickey Beard (sister of S/Sgt George L. Winkler)
B-25
MIA
