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| USAAF 20th AF 468th BG 794th BS  Nakamura Kenichi 1944 |
Pilot Lt. Col. Robert S. Clinkscales, O-401370 (KIA, BR) Abbeville Count, SC Co-Pilot 1st Lt. David S. Castleberry, O-684275 (KIA, BR) TX Navigator Captain Gilbert S. Kadinger, O-430069 (KIA, BR) Hartford, SD Bombardier Captain Stanley S. Smyth, O-430069 (KIA, BR) Madera, CA RCM 2nd Lt. David E. Himadi, O-859844 (KIA, BR) Hackensack, NJ Radio MSgt Wallace Richardson, Jr., 17021574 (KIA, BR) Sweetwater County, WY Radar TSgt James M. Coutts, 16045330 (KIA, BR) Madison, SD Gunner TSgt George W. Bell, 16070091 (KIA, BR) Milton, WV Gunner SSgt Paul S. Brouillard, 1756994 (KIA, BR) MN Gunner TSgt John T. Fitzpatrick, 6916890 (KIA, BR) Davenport, IA Gunner MSgt Clarence L. McHenry, 19010401 (KIA, BR) Asst Engineer MSgt Lou F. Baker, 38003075 (KIA, BR) Crashed August 20, 1944 MACR 15380 Aircraft History Built by Boeing. Constructors Number 3502. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-29-15-BW Superfortress serial number 42-6368. Wartime History Assigned to the 20th Air Force (20th AF), 468th Bombardment Group (468th BG), 794th Bombardment Squadron (794th BS). Nicknamed "Gertrude C". When lost, engine R-3350-23 serial numbers unknown and armed with weapon makers and serial numbers not noted in Missing Air Crew Report 15380 (MACR 15380). Mission History On August 20, 1944 took off from Pengshan Airfield in China on a bombing mission against Yawata Steel Works on Kyūshū Island in Japan. Aboard was Clinkscales' pet cocker spaniel dog named "Sally". The weather was ceiling and visibility unlimited (CAVU). Over the target, this bomber was flying in the no. 1 position in a diamond formation of four bombers. On the bomb run while releasing their bombs, Ki-45 Nick piloted by Nobe rammed this bomber head on, its right wing impacting the bomber's left wing between the no. 1 engine and the wingtip and caused the wing fuel tank to explode, and the wreckage of the Japanese fighter cartwheeled into the rest of the formation. A piece of wreckage struck the tail of B-29 "Calamity Sue" 42-6334, causing it to enter a spin and crash. Nobe's attack was the first deliberate ramming of B-29s over Japan. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of the crew were recovered. Four of the crew were individually identified: Smyth, Brouillard, Kadinger and Coutts. The remains of the crew were transported to the United States for permenanty burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Seven of the crew are buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 79 site 508. The group burial includes Clinkscales, Castleberry, Himadi, Richardson, Fitzpatrick, McHenry and Baker. Smyth is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery section C site 13-A. Brouillard is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery section C-24 site 13737. Kadinger is buried at Saint George Cemetery in Hartford, SD. Coutts is buried at Newaygo Cemetery in Newaygo, MI at Section B, Lot 386, Grave 2. Castleberry also has a memorial marker at Happy Cemetery in Happy, TX. Richardson also has a memorial marker at Marlow Cemetery in Marlow, OK. Bell also has a memorial marker at Ridgelawn Memorial Park in Barboursville, WV. Relatives David Castleberry (grandson of David S. Castleberry) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert S. Clinkscales NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Gilbert S. Kadinger NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - David E. Himadi NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records- Wallace Richardson, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John T. Fitzpatrick USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-29-15-BW Superfortress 42-6368 "6368 (468th BG, 794th BS) crashed after struck in tail stabilizer by piece of wreckage from B-29 42-6334 that was rammed by enemy Ki-45 fighter and crashed Yawata Kyoto, Japan Aug 20, 1944. MACR 9685. 8 crew killed, 3 bailed out and became POW." Missing Air Crew Report 15380 (MACR 15380) created October 30, 1945 Pacific Air Combat WWII (1993) pages 67-70, 72 (photo) B-29 Hunters of the JAAF (2000) pages 14-18 Sgt Nobe rams and downs two B-29s over Kyushu by Nakamura Kenichi FindAGrave - Robert S Clinkscales (photo, group burial) FindAGrave - David A Castleberry (photo, group burial) FindAGrave - 1LT David A. Castleberry (photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Gilbert S. Kadinger (photos, grave photo) FindAGrave - Stanley S Smyth (grave photo) FindAGrave - 2LT David E Himadi (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Wallace Richardson, Jr (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Wallace H. Richardson, Jr (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - TSGT James M Coutts (grave photos) FindAGrave - George W Bell (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Paul S Brouillard (grave photo) FindAGrave - John Thomas Fitzpatrick (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Clarence L McHenry (group burial photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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