[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 145 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BAKERS CREEK TRAGEDY

  Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I have sought recognition today to 
honor the forty U.S. soldiers who tragically perished in Bakers Creek, 
Queensland, Australia on June 14, 1943. Their deaths came as a result 
of the crash of a B-17C Flying Fortress, which proved to be the worst 
aviation disaster of the Southwest Pacific theater during World War II. 
More soldiers died on that plane from my home State of Pennsylvania--
six--than from any other State. These six were as follows: Pvt. James 
E. Finney; T/Sgt. Alfred H. Frezza; Sgt. Donald B. Kyper; Pfc. Frank S. 
Penksa; Sgt. Anthony Rudnick; and Cpl. Raymond H. Smith.
  I understand that members of the Bakers Creek Memorial Association, 
USA, based in Orrtanna, PA, have located the families of Pvt. Finney, 
T/Sgt. Frezza, and Sgt. Kyper. However, the Association continues to 
search for the relatives of Pfc. Penska, Sgt. Rudnick, and Cpl. Smith 
to notify them of the specifics surrounding their loved ones' deaths. 
Only recently has the Air Force officially recognized this tragedy.
  The aircraft that crashed had been operated by the United States Army 
Air Force 46th Transport Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 
5th Air Force Division. The plane was one of the many B-17 bomber 
aircraft that had been removed from combat status and converted into 
transport aircraft. Shortly after takeoff from the Mackay airport in 
Bakers Creek, the B-17 lost altitude, fell to the earth in a slow and 
steady bank, and crashed in a ball of flames. The forty lost onboard 
included six crew members and thirty-five soldiers returning to their 
posts after being on leave in Australia.
  Next June will mark the 60th anniversary of the Bakers Creek crash. I 
understand that Major General, Retired, Robert H. Appleby, former 
Commander of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, plans to lead a 
contingent of victims' families to Australia in observance of the 
anniversary. I applaud the members of the Bakers Creek Memorial 
Association, USA, including General Appleby and Mr. Robert S. Cutler, 
for undertaking this and other initiatives which keep the memory of the 
fallen heroes of Bakers Creek alive and well.




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