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  B-29A-15-BN Superfortress Serial Number 42-93939  
USAAF
20th AF
6th BG
40th BS

A/C  Capt Robert R Schmid, O-383896 (MIA / KIA)
Pilot  2/Lt Robert J Ryan, O-932071 (MIA / KIA)
Navigator  2/Lt Arthur L Wright, O-2068890 (MIA / KIA)
Bombardier  Capt James K Chatfield, O-725052 (MIA / KIA)
Engineer  S/Sgt Donald O Winkler, 35108119 (MIA / KIA)
Radar  2/Lt Oliver L Fix, Jr, O-2069223 (MIA / KIA)
Radio Sgt Juan D Donato, 38676487 (MIA / KIA)
Central Firearms Control  Sgt Jack J Roy, 39928427 (MIA / KIA)
Left Gunner  Sgt Andre W Jacques, 39401685
Right Gunner  Cpl Robert D Strickland, 33885949
Tail Gunner  Sgt Joseph Beneski, Jr, 42020282 (MIA / KIA)

Lost  July 10, 1945
MACR  14750

Mission History
At the time of loss the aircraft was fitted with R-3350-23A Engines, numbers DW 206596, DW 203231, DW 204043 and DW 43-150290.

Mission History
Aircraft departed Tinian to lay mines in the Shimonoseki Straits.

After dropping mines the aircraft got caught in spotlights and was fired upon by anti-aircraft positions and a night fighter. One engine caught alight and the aircraft was seen to dive and go into a flat spin before crashing. No parachutes were seen.

Memorials
Schmid, Ryan, Wright, Chatfield, Winkler, Fix, Donato, Roy and Beneski are listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl). Sgt Jacques and Cpl Strickland are not listed on the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) database.

Relatives
Chucky Gutierrez (Grandson of Sgt Donato)

References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy and Chucky Gutierrez for their assistance with this profile
Missing Aircrew Report #14750
ABMC - R R Schmid
ABMC - R J Ryan
ABMC - A K Wright
ABMC - J K Chatfield
ABMC - D O Winkler
ABMC - O L Fix
ABMC - J D Donato
ABMC - J J Roy
ABMC - J Beneski



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Last Updated
February 18, 2020

 

Tech Info
B-29
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