42-107967      

 

On 8 December 1944, a C-46A Commando, assigned to 10th Air Force, 1328th AAF Base Unit, Misanbari, India, departed the airfield at Kunming, China, on a cargo mission returning to Misanbari, through the Himalayan mountain range (the Hump). It was last contacted at about 1400 hrs over Funaenyi, China. The crew was:

                                              Pilot                             1stLt Reid T. Woodward                       0-510250

                                              Co-Pilot                       2ndLt Peter G. Stachelhaus                  0-830733

                                              Radio Operator            Cpl Edward R, Buelna                         39273703

                                              Jr. Radio Operator       PFC Matthew J. McFatridge Jr.           17133758

On 30 December 1944 the 1328th AAF Base Unit wrote that their MIA status was changed to deceased after the C-46 wreckage was located. Several maps are in the fold3.com MACR folder. There were no next-of-kin listed.

WOODWARD, REID TALMAGE, First Lieutenant, # 0-510250, USAAF

 

Reid T. Woodward was born on 3 July 1918 in Richmond, New York to Donald Woodward (1893-1959) and Florence May (Stobie) Woodward (1894-1978). Siblings included William Stobie Woodward (1917-2000), Barbara (Woodward) Piel (1920-2003) and Joseph D. Woodward (1940-2005). He attended the University of Arizona.

 

He enlisted in the USAAF in New York and after enlisting, he completed flight instruction through advanced schools, was multi-engine rated, and earned his commission and pilot wings. He was sent overseas to India, assigned to fly the C-46 Commando. On 8 December 1944, a C-46A Commando, assigned to 10th Air Force, 1328th AAF Base Unit, Misanbari, India, departed the airfield at Kunming, China, on a cargo mission returning to Misanbari, through the Himalayan mountain range (the Hump). It was last contacted at about 1400 hrs over Funaenyi, China. On 30 December 1944 the 1328th AAF Base Unit wrote that their MIA status was changed to deceased after the C-46 wreckage was located. Several maps are in the fold3.com MACR folder. After recovery from China, his remains were buried in the Machpelah Cemetery, LeRoy, Genesee Co., New York.

STACHELHAUS, PETER G., Second Lieutenant, # 0-830733, USAAF

 

Peter G. Stachelhaus was born on 13 March 1924 in Montclair, New Jersey to Gustav W. Stachelhaus (1886-    ) (Elberfeld, Germany – naturalized)cd  and Minna Stachelhaus (1890-    ) (Castelaun, Germany – naturalized) (married 23 August 1922 in NJ). A sibling was Charlotte Stachelhaus (1921-    ).

 

After enlisting, he completed flight instruction through advanced schools, was multi-engine rated, and earned his commission and pilot wings. He was sent overseas to India, assigned to fly the C-46 Commando. On 8 December 1944, a C-46A Commando, assigned to 10th Air Force, 1328th AAF Base Unit, Misanbari, India, departed the airfield at Kunming, China, on a cargo mission returning to Misanbari, through the Himalayan mountain range (the Hump).