FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR 3478-55

PAGE 28 OF 44 PAGES

NEIS, Ralph A. Category #5, B-26, (Missing 14 Nov 52)

1st Lt

AO 2090340

(*) The aircraft was on a night interdiction mission over North Korea. The last radio contact was at 0015 hours when the aircraft was given directions for a Tadpole mission. Radar and VHF contact was normal until 0032 hours when the aircraft faded from the scope at coordinates (BT 6563). Fire was reported on the ground at (BT 6563) but it could not be identified as one caused by a downed aircraft.

(From: 6004th AISS, RPW Rpt No. 4554, Part 1, Phase III, 14 Sep 53): The pilot of the aircraft was Returned To Military Control and stated that he felt his crew was still alive because in some instances he saw evidence of pieces E&E equipment characteristic of his own crew. Source's interrogator had knowledge of missions performed and other operations that could only be gained through interrogation of other crew members.

NELSON, Lawrence A. Category #5, B-29 (Missing 28 Feb 52)

lst Lt

AO 2221692

(*) The aircraft experienced mechanical difficulty over North Korea. Seven crew members were Returned To Military Control, one was killed by enemy fire while attempting to return to friendly lines, and the fate of the other four is still undermined.

(Of the four "undetermined", referenced above one was Returned To Military Control, one is dead, ant the remaining two are listed in this report. A/2C Denn and 1st Lt. Nelson.)

NICHOLS, James L. Category #5 B-29, (Missing 19 Nov 52)

A/2C

AF 17326268

(*) The aircraft was on a combat bombing mission on the Sonchon supply dump North Korea. As the 3rd flare was dropped, 20 search lights were locked on the B-29. Approximately two minutes later, four bursts of fire were received and hits made on No. 2 and 3 engines, which had to be feathered out and on the wing between the fuselage and No. 3 engine, causing fire to start. Four parachutes were sighted at different locations inland from Cho-do Island. A flight of F-51s discovered a parachute hanging in a tree in the vicinity of coordinates (SC 7273) about 100 inland. Two of the crew members were rescued and the remains of two other crew members were recovered from the sea.

(From: 6004th AISS, Det #2, Downed Aircraft Report No. 92, Nov 52): The aircraft was placed under attack by, enemy night fighters at Sonchon (XE 6307). An emergency call was sent out at 0100 stating that the aircraft had lost two engines.. The aircraft commander bailed out and landed on the island of Cho-do (XC 5563), and he stated that he was the last one to leave the aircraft. Parachutes were observed on the ground at (XC 7173),

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR 3478-55

PAGE 29 OF 44 PAGES

(XC 675506), (XC 665485) and (XC 645660) A white parachute was observed approximately 75 yards from the shoreline at (XC 7172). It appeared to be attached to a ten man life raft.

NICHOLS, Rudolf Category #5 B-29, (Missing 30 Dec 52)

A/lC

AF 12383404

(Retained in active file because five members of the crew have been Returned to Military Control. One member of the crew. was Killed In Action.)

(From 28th Bomb Sq, 19th Bomb Gp, Cite.,., 19th BG 4438, 28th Bm S2, AG #L 8264, D/I #31049, 30 Dec 52) The aircraft took off at 1627 hours from Kadena Air Base for a combat mission North Korea. The aircraft was attacked by enemy aircraft and crashed approximately ten miles northeast of Pyongyang, (YD 4537), The number of survivors, if any, was unknown.

(From: FEAF Bom Com, Cites: BC 5116, AG #00879 D/A #00415, 6 Jan 53) The subject aircraft was observed under fighter attack just prior to bombs away. Info gathered from radio contact, indicates that the aircraft sustained major damage after turn off target at 2130/I. One engine was out and the No. 4 was on fire. At approximately 2142/I, several members were seen to bail out, (the exact number was unknown), as reported by an escorting F-3D. The aircraft crashed and burned.

O'BRIEN, Warren E. Category #4, F-84 (Missing 9 Sep 52)

Capt

AO 827259

(*) The pilot was flying an interdiction mission at (XE 814586). After completing their strike on the target, the flight was attacked by MIGs. Capt O'BRIEN's aircraft was observed to receive strikes from enemy fire in the right wing and burst into flames. The canopy was jettisoned, but no attempt to bail out was observed. However, another flight observed a parachute at (XE 6237).

OLCOTT, Ray W. Category #4, B-26 (Missing 15 Oct 51)

lst Lt

AO 1909367

(From: 5th AF, Cite: INR 587, D/I #35737, AG #52273, 15 Oct 51): The last contact with the aircraft was by radio at 2138 hours, 14 Oct 51, informing NTPS Control that one engine had been hit. An explosion was observed on the ground, believed to be that of.the missing aircraft. 1st Lt. William F. Brown, one of the crew of four, was Returned to Military Control. He reported that all were alerted to bail out, and believes that he was the last to leave the aircraft.

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR 3478-55

PAGE 30 OF 44 PAGES

OLSEN, Arthur R. Category #2, B-29A (Missing 29 Jan 53)

lst Lt

AO 2069417

(From: D/I Memo to G-2 AFFE, 17 Feb 53, Subj. Enemy Air Activity) Between 152225/I two B-29s at 19,000 and 21,260 ft altitude observed what appeared to be a signal at (YC 4010), consisting of three lights placed in a row at an undetermined distance from each other. There was no distinguishable code, but these lights flashing did appear to the crew as if a signal was intended. At 152300/I another B-29 at 22,700 ft observed what appeared to be dots and dashes flashing at (YB 2393). These appeared to be the same lights as reported by the other two B-29s.

(From: Hq 5th AF, Office of D/I, 7Aug 53, Subj: Attempted Rescue of Downed Airmen): A rescue was attempted on the snatch pickup procedure (Green Dragon, Rescue Operation). Voice radio (URC-4) was used with 1st Lt Ashley directing the pilot to the ground station. (The pilot reported that the voice was definitely that of the American who had previously been identified as Lt Ashley.) Upon approaching the pick site, the aircraft was was fired upon by machine guns, from the pick-up area, as well as from the mountain sides surrounding the area, sustaining damage from small arms fire. Ashley and four crew members (Turner, Olsen, Shaddick, and Ishida) were known to be alive in Communist hands as of theclose of the Korean conflict, Jul 53.

O'MEARA, James J. Jr. Category #5 B-29 (Missing 29 Jan 53)

A/2C

AF 1635L305

(Retained in active file because three members of the fourteen man crew were Returned To Military Control. One member of the crew was Killed In Action. Five other members of the crew were known to be alive in Communist hands at the close of the Korean conflict, Jul 53, Green Dragon Operation.

(From 28th Bm Sq, 19th Bm GP, Cites: 19th Bm GP, 5059, 28th Bm Sq, AG #A7502, D/I #02106 30 Jan.53): The aircraft took off at 2000/I from Kadena AB, for a combat mission over North.Korea. The aircraft was observed under attack by enemy fighters, firing rockets. A "May Day" call was given at 0026/1 and the aircraft was seen to explode in mid-air at 0029/I. Four parachutes were seen to open by the light of the explosion, approximately 18 miles east of Sariwon. The number of survivors, if any was unknown.

OYLER, Ernest R. Category #5, B-29 (Missing 9 Sep 50)

Capt

AO 744548

(*) The aircraft was damaged by enemy flack and crashed approximately 23 miles north of Pyongyang. Five were reported to have left the aircraft and landed on the ground at approximate coordinates (3926N/1254). A report reveals,.that in Nov 50, the.wrckageof the B-29 was located in the same general area where it had pre-

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR 3478-55

PAGE 31 OF 44 PAGES

viously been reported last. Interrogation of local residents and careful investigation by GRS resulted in the recovery of what is believed to be the remains of five crew members of the aircraft. Of this number three of the bodies were found by the site of the crash and another near Pyongyang. No positive identification could be made and a group burial was made. Burial site: Pyongyang cemetery, Plot 1, Row 7, Grave 15.

PADILLA, Alexander B. Category #3 F-51 (Missing 9 Oct 50)

Capt

AO 556092

(From: 6002d Tac Sup Wg, NR: PER 6002 TSW, J-46-10, 10 Oct 50): The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and the pilot crash landed, wheels up. He was seen to get out of the aircraft holding his left arm as if it were broken. He stumbled and walked South toward a village and was seen captured by the enemy. Location (3822N/1254E) near the village of Kwangton-Ni, Korea.

(MISG/FE ADV, Sp Rpt #263, 9 Aug 52): After sunset, on or about 12, Oct 50 a PW saw a US fighter aircraft whose propeller was damaged by AA fire, make, a forced landing on the hill at (YC 3852). The pilot walked safely to a church to seek refugee. The pastor tried to arrange for the pilot's escape to the nearby hills where guerrillas were based. However, this plan was up never completed because a CCF-NKA force was mopping up guerrilla units in that area. The NKA suspected that the downed airman was hiding in the vicinity so they conducted a search and both the pastor and pilot were taken away.

PALIOTTI, Nicholas M. Category #5, B-26, (Missing 20 Aug 51)

S/Sgt

AF 12313035

(*) At 0256 hours, the pilot reported his location at approximate coordinates (3830N/126E), outbound from target area. No further contact with the aircraft was made. A search mission reported three personnel type parachutes sighted in the vicinity of (3755N/126E).

PARHAM, Charles E. Jr. Category #5, B-26 (Missing 25 Nov 51)

A/1C

AF 14103757

(*): The last contact with the aircraft was a transmission outbound from the target area at 0507 hours. An order to ball out was heard at 0515 hours from an aircraft at approximately 12,000 ft in the vicinity of (CT 4000) to (CT 4080), believed to be the missing aircraft. Crew members were seen to bail out behind enemy lines at approximate coordinates (CT3842) by an ROK officer, who believed that they bailed out of a B-26.

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR 3478-55

PAGE 33 OF 44 PAGES

PATTON., George W. Category #2, F-51, (Missing 13 Jun 52)

lst Lt

AO 2222013

(From: 6004th AISS, CRT-1-N, 8 Aug 53): The pilot was sentenced to two and one-hald years for assaulting a fellow prisoner. The sentence was in Jul 53. This sentence was to to be affected by repatriation.

PECK, James K. Category #5, B-29, (Missing 19 Nov 52)

1st Lt

AO 741690

(*) The aircraft was on a combat bombing mission on the Sonchon supply dump, North Korea. As a 3rd flare was dropped, 20 search lights were locked on the B-29. Approximately two minutes later, four bursts of fire were received and hits made on No. 2 and 3 engines, which had to be feathered out, and on the wing between the fuselage and No. 3 engine, causing fire to start. Four parachutes were sighted at different locations inland from Cho-do Island. A flight of F-51s discovered a parachute hanging in a tree in the vicinity of coordinates (SC 7273) about 100 ft inland. Two of the crew members were rescued and the remains of two other crew members were recovered from the sea.

(From: 6004th AISS, Det #2, Downed Aircraft Report No. 92, Nov 52): The aircraft was placed under attack by enemy night fighters at Sonchone (XE 6307). An emergency call was sent out at 0100 stating that the aircraft had lost two engines. The aircraft commander bailed out and landed on the island of Cho-do (XC 5563), and he stated that he was the last one to leave the aircraft. Parachutes were observed on the ground at (XC 7173), (XC 675506, (XC 665485) and (XC645660. A white parachute was observed approximately 75 yards from the shoreline at (XC 7172). It appeared to be attached to a ten man life raft.

PENNINGER, Roger W. Category #5, B-29 (Missing 23 Oct 51)

lst Lt

AO 778935

(From: 307 Bm Wg, Cite: 307 BWK 2930, AG #53752, (D/I #36729), 24 Oct 51): The aircraft was leading a formation of three aircraft at the coordinates (3953N/12534E). At approximately 0040/Z, the aircraft was damaged by enemy fighter gunfire. Several parachutes were observed to open prior to its exploding in mid-air.

PHELPS, Ralph L. Category #5, B-26 (Missing 4 Apr 52)

A/1C

AF 17291247

(A crew member of the downed aircraft piloted by 1st Lt James A. Van Fleet, Jr.)

(From: Det #2, 6004th AISS, #493-5-52, D/I #09301, 26 May 52): A twin engine UN bomber crashed at Hangpodong (YC 279069), at dawn 4 Apr 52. The inhabitant observed an American corpse dressed in an OD jacket and no pants lying 30 meters north of where the plane crashed. No other bodies were observed.

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR 3478-55

PAGE 33 OF 44 PAGES

(From: Det #2, 6004th AISS, #493-5-52, D/I #09301, 26 May 52): A twin engine UN bomber crashed at Hangpo-dong (YC 279069 at dawn, 2 Apr 52. The inhabitant observed an American corpse dressed in OD jacket and no pants lying 30 meters north of where the plane crashed. No other bodies were observed.

(From: Det #2, 600th AISS, #032-5-52, D/I #09030, 15 May 52): Information obtained by this Source from a villager, indicates that two friendly aircraft were downed at (YC 400126.) One pilot died in the crash and the other pilot was captured. At 1200 hours, 4 Apr 52, he witnessed a group of Communists investigating the dead pilot's belongings.

PHILLIPS, Duane M. Category #5, B-29 (Missing 7 Apr 51)

2nd Lt

19732A

(From: 307 BW, Cite: 307 BWK 0577, dtd 7 Apr 51): The aircraft apparently exploded in mid-air without warning at 1040 hours, at coordinates (3905N/2501E). Three or four parachuted from the aircraft. 2nd Lt Shallenberger was apparently the only survivor, Returned To Military Control. The Officer states that he did not see any of the others who parachuted into the water.

(From: 500 MISG, 010472, 27 Apr 53) On or about May 52, Phillips, Buck and Thierman went into a cornfield after watching a soccer game. Roll call absence was covered by their friends. They were recaptured four days later. They were put in jail for approximately four months. (Note: No first name was given for the Phillips listed above and this report may refer to another Phillips.)

POPE, James D. Category #5 B-29 (Missing 29 Jan 53)

A/2C

AF 14404363

(Retained in Active file because three members of the fourteen man crew were Returned To Military Control. One member of the crew was Killed in Action. Five other members of the crew known to be alive in Communist hands at the close of the Korean conflict, Jul 53, Green Dragon Operation.)

(From. 28th Bm Sq, 19th Bm Gp, Cite: 19th Bm Gp, 5059, 28th Bm Sq, AG #A 7502, D/I #62106, 30 Jan 53): The aircraft took off at 2000/I from Kadena AB for a combat mission over North Korea. The aircraft was observed under attack by enemy fighters, firing rockets. A "May Day" was given at 0026/I and the aircraft was seen to explode in mid-air at 0029/I. Four parachutes were seen only by the light of the explosion, approximately 18 miles east of Sariwon. The number of survivors, if any was unknown.

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR 3478-55

PAGE 34 OF 44 PAGES

PORTER, James H. Category #5, B-29, (Missing 19 Nov 52)

A/2C

AF 14397423

(*) The aircraft was on a combat bombing mission on the Sonchon supply dump North Korea. As the 3rd flare was dropped, 20 search lights were locked on the B-29. Approximately two minutes later, four bursts of fire were received and hits made on No. 2 and 3 engines, which had to be feathered out and on the wing between the fuselage and No. 3 engine, causing fire to start. Four parachutes were sighted at different locations inland from Cho-do Island. A flight of F-51s discovered a parachute hanging in a tree in the vicinity of coordinates (SC 7273) about 100 inland. Two of the crew members were rescued and the remains of two other crew members were recovered from the sea.

(From: 6004th AISS, Det #2, Downed Aircraft Report No. 92, Nov 52): The aircraft was placed under attack by, enemy night fighters at Sonchon (XE 6307). An emergency call was sent out at 0100 stating that the aircraft had lost two engines.. The aircraft commander bailed out and landed on the island of Cho-do (XC 5563), and he stated that he was the last one to leave the aircraft. Parachutes were observed on the ground at (XC 7173), (XC 675506), (XC 665485) and (XC 645660) A white parachute was observed approximately 75 yards from the shoreline at (XC 7172). It appeared to be attached to a ten man life raft.

PRATT, Charles W. Category #5, F-86 (Missing 8 Nov 51)

Capt

16993A

(*) While heading south toward their home base, approximately fifteen MIGs were sighted, and Capt Pratt turned to attack. One MIG worked into position and began firing at him. Soon after, he was heard to call that he was hit and would have to bail out. His aircraft was last observed heading toward the coast west of Pyongyang, in a forty-five degree dive.

REHM, Harry M. Category #5, B-29, (Missing 30 Dec 52)

1st Lt

AO 2089519

(Retained in active file because five members of the crew have been Returned To Military Control. One member of the crew was Killed in Action.)

(From: 28th Bomb s2, 19th Bomb Gp, Cite: 19th BG 4438, 28th Bm Sq, AG #L 8264, D/I #31049, 30 Dec 52): The aircraft took of at 1627 hours from Kadena Air Base for a combat mission over North Korea. The aircraft was attacked by enemy aircraft and crashed approximately ten miles northeast of Pyongyang, (YD 4537). The number of survivors, is any, is unknown.