[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 86 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SERVICEMEN OF USAAF B-17 40-2072

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY G. MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2000

  Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor forty American soldiers killed over fifty-seven years ago in 
a terrible aviation accident. This mishap occurred in Bakers Creek, 
Queensland, Australia on 14 June 1943. At the time, it was not only the 
worst aviation accident in Australia, but also the worst aviation 
accident of World War II.
  The aircraft was operated by the United States Army Air Force 46th 
Transport Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group (46TCG) of the 
5th Air Force, United States Army Air Force, and was one of many B-17 
aircraft removed and converted from combat status and placed with the 
46th as a transport aircraft. Shortly after takeoff from the Mackay 
airport in Bakers Creek, Australia, their B-17 flying Fortress lost 
altitude, falling to the earth in a slow and steady bank and crashed in 
a ball of flames. In addition to the six crew members, thirty-five 
soldiers were on board, returning to their posts after being on leave 
in Mackay. Their names, rank, and units follow:
  Crew: 1/Lt. Vern J. Gidcumb, Pilot, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th 
Troop Carrier Squadron; F/O William C. Erb, Co-Pilot, 317th Troop 
Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron; 2/Lt. Jack A. Ogren, 
Navigator, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron; S/
Sgt. Lovell Dale Curtis, Crew Chief, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th 
Troop Carrier Squadron; S/Sgt. Frank E. Whelchel, Crew Chief, 374th 
Troop Carrier Group, 22th Troop Carrier Squadron; Sgt. David E. 
Tileston, Radio Operator, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier 
Squadron.
  Passengers: Pfc. Arnold Seidel, 5th Air Force, 415th Signal Company; 
Pvt. Ruben L. Vaughn, 5th Fighter Command, HQ Squadron; T/5 George A. 
Ehrman, 5th fighter Command, Signal HQ Company; S/Sgt. Roy A. Hatlen, 
35th Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron; S/Sgt. John W. Hilsheimer, 
35th Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron; Sgt. Dean H. Busse, 35th 
Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron; Cpl. Raymond H. Smith, 35th 
Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron; Maj. George N. Powell, 49th 
Fighter Group, HQ Squadron; Pfc. Jerome Abraham, 49th Fighter Group, Hq 
Squadron; Pvt. Charles, D. Montgomery, 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter 
Squadron; Capt. John O. Berthold, 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter 
Squadron; Sgt. Carl A. Cunningham, 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter 
Squadron.
  Sgt. Charlie O. LaRue, 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter Squadron; Sgt 
Leo. E. Fletcher, 38th Bombardment Group, 405th Bombardment Squadron; 
Sgt. Donald B. Kyper, 38th Bombardment Group, 405th Bombardment 
Squadron; Cpl. Franklin F. Smith, 38th Bombardment Group, 405th 
Bombardment Squadron; T/Sgt. James A. Copeland, 8th Service Group, HQ 
Squadron; Cpl. Charles W. Sampson, 8th Service Group, 11th Service 
Squadron; Pfc. Dale Van Fosson, 8th Service Group, 1160th Quartermaster 
Company; Pfc. Kenneth W. Mann, 36th Service Group, 374th Service 
Squadron; Pfc. Charles M. Williams, 455th Service Squadron; T/5 William 
A. Briggs, 478th Service Squadron, 1037th Signals; Cpl. Edward Tenny, 
479th Service Squadron.
  Pfc. Norman J. Goetz, 480th Service Squadron; Pfc. Frederick C. 
Sweet, 481st Service Squadron, 46th Ordnance Company; T/Sgt. Alfred H. 
Frezza, 27th Depot Repair Squadron; Cpl. Jacob O. Skaggs, Jr., 27th 
Depot Repair Squadron; Pvt. James E. Finney, 27th Depot Repair 
Squadron; Pvt. Raymond D. Longabaugh, 842nd Aviation Engineer 
Battalion; Cpl. Marlin D. Metzger, 374th Troop Carrier Group, 6th Troop 
Carrier Squadron; Pfc. Frank S. Penska, 374th Troop Carrier Group, 6th 
Troop Carrier Squadron; Sgt. Anthony Rudnick, 565th Signal Battalion, 
Company A; Pfc. Vernon Johnson, 440th Signal Battalion, Company A; Pfc. 
John W. Parker, 809th Chemical Company.
  Mr. Speaker, although these men came from twenty different states, 
were from many different walks of life, and served in many different 
units, their common purpose was one: service to our nation. Until 
recently, the details of this mishap were classified by the Air Force, 
but now that the incident is available for public attention, I desire 
to honor the memory of these fine young men.
  I applaud the efforts of people like Mr. Colin Benson, who is a 
historian for the Mackay chapter of the Returned and Service League 
(RSL) of Australia. Mr. Benson's devotion to obtaining the records of 
the incident and seeking recognition for these men has been long and 
arduous. As an Australian, Mr. Benson's dedication to our American 
soldiers is commendable. Rarely does a foreign country applaud the 
efforts and sacrifices of another, and strive so hard to honor their 
dead. I also applaud Mr. Eugene D. Rossel's commitment and dedication 
to the disclosure of this terrible mishap. He is that type of American 
who will not rest until heroes like the men I listed above are 
recognized for their personal sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that we give thanks to all our veterans for the 
sacrifices they made for our great nation. Unfortunately, we must also 
live with the knowledge that some of our servicemen and women do not 
live long enough to become veterans. They give their lives so that ours 
might be better, and the men of B-17 40-2071 did no less. May we 
continue to recognize and memorialize our fallen servicemen and women, 
long into the future.

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