43-46983         MACR 12021

 

On 6 February 1945 a Curtiss C-46A Commando, # 43-46983, assigned 10th Air Force, 1337th AAF Base Unit, departed the airfield at Kunming, China, on a cargo mission through the Himalayan mountain range (the Hump) to Sookerating, India. Last contact was at about 2330 hours IST with Chabua, India. The crew was:

                                            Pilot                             1stLt Bernard A. Byers                        0-497254

                                            Co-Pilot                       1stLt Joseph F. Huba                            0-801760

                                            Radio Operator            Sgt William P. Boley                            34433224

                                            Asst Radio Operator    Pvt Hugh D. Cummings                      34355991

The next-of-kin listed were:

                                               Byers               Robert A. Byers, B, Weirton Heights, Weirton, WVA

                                               Huba               Anna T. Huba, M, Seward St., Buchanan, NY

                                               Boley               Ernest D. Boley, F, Balsam Grove, NC

                                               Cummings       Vera M. Cummings, W, 3310 Harison Rd, Egan, GA

 

BYERS (BYLSMA), BERNARD ALLEN, First Lieutenant, # 0-497254, USAAF

 

Bernard A. Byers was born on 30 January 1915 in Holland to Albert Berends Byers (Bylsma) (1875-1944) and Metje (Mary) (Fokkens) Byers (Bylsma) (1879-1947). Siblings were Albert Bernard Bylsma Jr. (1921-1984), Robert Bartele (Robert Albert “Bert” Byers) Bylsma (1902-1990), Florence Louise (Byers or Bylsma) Fenimore (1910-1990), and Else May (Byers or Bylsma) McCauslin (1914-2000). All had surname in USA of Byers.

 

After enlisting in the USAAF, he completed flight instruction through advanced school, was multi-engine rated, and were assigned to fly the Curtiss C-46 Commando. He earned his commission and pilot wings. He was sent overseas to India. On 6 February 1945 a Curtiss C-46A Commando, # 43-46983, assigned 10th Air Force, 1337th AAF Base Unit, departed the airfield at Kunming, China, on a cargo mission through the Himalayan mountain range (the Hump) to Sookerating, India. Last contact was at about 2330 hours IST with Chabua, India. It crashed enroute and the crew was killed.

He is remembered on the tablets of the missing in the Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Philippines. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

 

His brother, Albert B. Byers Jr., born 25 December 1921, served in the U.S. Army, Technician 5th Grade, # 33301753, from 14 September 1942 to 21 January 1946 (overseas 25 September 1943 to 19 December 1945). He died 17 September 1984 and is buried in the Saint Pauls Cemetery, Valparaiso, Porter Co., Indiana.