41-23747 B24
On 2 July 1943, at about 1315 hours, a B-24D, # 41-23747, assigned to 10th Air Force, the 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron, departed Bishnupur, India, on a bombing mission to the Syriam Oil Refinery at Rangoon, Burma. The weather was reported as very rough with poor visibility. The crew was comprised of:
Pilot Capt. Vick Winter 0-413548
Co-Pilot 2ndLt Melvin S. Avery 0-670487
Navigator 1stLt Hugh D. Bennett 0-789227
Bombardier 2ndLt Raymond D. McSween 0-725030
Engineer TSgt Peter Seman 6995436
Radio Operator TSgt John D. Simon 19050808
Gunner SSgt Ray Kenney 19010695
Gunner SSgt Robert P. Thomas 16002777
Gunner SSgt Howard B. Norman 18025280
It was last sighted by 1stLt Robert J. Clarke, 0-431388, 1stLt Robert G. Brittenbach, 0-659652, and 1stLt Henry W. Gilmer, Jr., 0-440853. 1stLt Clarke wrote, “It was last seen in formation with five other bombers entering a cloud bank. After fifteen minutes, the formation broke into the clear and only five aircraft could be accounted for. After another fifteen minutes, a crew hear, “Any B-24D for Help.” The call was answered but received no reply. An enemy fighter, type I45 (Kawasaki Toryu, for “Dragon Slayer,” allied name “Nick”), made an attack on a plane in the formation (not the missing bomber) and this was included to show there were enemy aircraft nearby.” Two search missions were flown. Called off because of poor weather.
Next-of-kin were listed as:
Winter Mr. A. Vick Winter, father, Gen’l Delivery, Alpine, TX
Bennett Mrs. Jeanette Bennett, mother, Rte 1, Warrior, Alabama
Avery Mr. Marion N. Avery, father, P.O. Box 1, Calvin, OK
McSween (sic) Mrs. Grace Y. McSween, mother, Gen’l Delivety, FL
Seman Mr. Ignatse Seman, 34 Jackson St, Edwardsville, PA
Simon Mrs. D. Simon, mother, 2224 O St, Bakersfield, CA
Kenney Mrs. Robert H. Kenney, mother, 3147 Hoxie Ave, San Diego, CA
Thomas Mrs. Edna C. Thomas, mother, 125 No. Third St, Indiana, PA
Norman Mrs. Irene Walker Norman, mother, Rte 1, Taylor, TX