[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E719-E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNLISTED U.S. ARMY EOD/BOMB DISPOSAL CAUSALITY
______
HON. ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD
of arkansas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following:
[Researched by SGM Mike R. Vining, USA Retired]
This is a list of Army Bomb Disposal/Explosive Ordnance
Disposal deaths involving either training, performing bomb
disposal duties, or involvement in combat or post combat
operations regardless of duty assignment at the time of death
or illness resulting in death.
American Battle Monuments Commission--WWII: All the below
profiles marked with (*) are listed on this website. Type in
their last name [leave a space] first name and hit the search
button.
American Battle Monuments Commission--Korea: All the below
profiles marked with (+) are listed on this website. Type in
their last name [leave a space] first name and hit the search
button.
1. PVT C.E. Mullenix was killed on 15 May 1943. A report
from the 10th Bomb Disposal Squad states that on 15 May 1943,
PVT C. E. Mullenix was killed by an explosion during training
at Aberdeen, Maryland. 2LT Jesse F. Donovan and PVT D. J.
Kueter were also injured in the same accident. 2LT Donovan
and PVT Kueter were briefly hospitalized and released. It is
believed by a roommate of PVT Mullenix that they were on a
work detail to move unstable WWI artillery rounds. No other
details given. This information was provided by LTC Robert
Leiendecker, USA (Retired) with additional information
provided by Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D.
2. PFC Laurence C. Paystrup was killed and SGT Ira Wiggins
was mortally wounded on 26 May 1943. SGT Wiggins died from
his
[[Page E720]]
wounds on 27 May 1943. PFC Paystrup and SGT Wiggins were
assigned to the 2nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. Their
deaths were the result of five M9A1 anti-tank rifle grenades
falling from a truck and detonating at Speitla, Tunisia.
Additional Facts: Born: 6 July 1919; Age: 23; Home State:
Utah; Buried: Levan Cemetery, Levan, Utah.
Find-A-Grave--PFC Paystrup
3. SGT Ira Wiggins was mortally wounded and PFC Laurence C.
Paystrup were killed and on 26 May 1943. SGT Wiggins died
from his wounds on 27 May 1943. SGT Wiggins and PFC Paystrup
were assigned to the 2nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. Their
deaths were the result of five M9A1 anti-tank rifle grenades
falling from a truck and detonating at Speitla, Tunisia.
4. CPT Frederick Harrison ``Harrison'' Dillon and 1LT
Steven ``Steve'' Todorovich, Jr. were presumed killed on 10
October 1943. CPT Dillon and 1LT Todorovich were assigned to
the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional). CPT
Dillon was commander of the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal
Company (Provisional). CPT Dillon and 1LT Tordorvich were
listed as passenger onboard a North American B-25C Mitchell
bomber (Serial Number 42-6451) that departed at 1420 hours,
10 October 1943. The aircraft was armed with only seven .50
caliber machineguns. The aircraft was flying a ``ferry''
route between Algiers, Algeria and Tunis, Tunisia when the
aircraft disappeared and presumed crashed somewhere in the
Mediterranean Sea. Algiers was the Headquarters for Allied
Forces in North Africa and it is assumed that CPT Dillon and
1LT Todorovich were traveling on official bomb disposal
business. CPT Dillon and 1LT Todorovich were likely scheduled
to make a connecting flight from Tunis to Naples, Italy. At
the time of their disappearance their duty location was
Palermo, Sicily. Despite investigations by the Army Air
Force, neither wreckage, nor remains have been recovered. CPT
Dillon is listed as missing-in-action, non-battle casualty.
Also listed as missing in action on the flight is the pilot
1LT Herbert L. Hastings, copilot 2LT Ray Brown Lobdell, and
crew chief S/Sgt William B. Brezee of 379th Bomber Squadron,
310th Bomber Group, Medium, 12th Air Force, and a third
passenger CPT Lewis T. Stoneburner III, Medical Corps, 45th
General Hospital.
Note: The 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company
(Provisional) had five killed-in-actions, four officers and
one enlisted, but no names, dates, or circumstances.
Source Documents: Missing Air Crew Report No. 1102, 27
October 1943 and Routine Casualty Report No. 26121, 21
November 1943. Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D. was
instrumental in obtaining these documents and conducting this
research. Additional information was provided by Ed Dillon,
Major USAF (Retired), a cousin of CPT F.H. Dillon.
Additional Facts: Service Number: O1548195; Born: February
1918, Utica, New York, Age: 25; Home State: New York;
Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American
Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy (*).
Find-A-Grave--CPT Dillon
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``D''
5. 1LT Steven ``Steve'' Todorovich, Jr. and CPT Frederick
Harrison ``Harrison'' Dillon were presumed killed on 10
October 1943. CPT Dillon and 1LT Todorovich were assigned to
the 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional). 1LT
Todorovich was commander of the 1st Platoon of the 235th
Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional). 1LT Tordorvich
and CPT Dillon were listed as passenger onboard a North
American B-25C Mitchell bomber (Serial Number 42-6451) that
departed at 1420 hours, 10 October 1943. The aircraft was
armed with only seven .50 caliber machineguns. The aircraft
was flying a ``ferry'' route between Algiers, Algeria and
Tunis, Tunisia when the aircraft disappeared and presumed
crashed somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. Algiers was the
Headquarters for Allied Forces in North Africa and it is
assumed that 1LT Todorovich and CPT Dillon were traveling on
official bomb disposal business. 1LT Todorovich and CPT
Dillon were likely scheduled to make a connecting flight from
Tunis to Naples, Italy. At the time of their disappearance
their duty location was Palermo, Sicily. Despite
investigations by the Army Air Force, neither wreckage, nor
remains have been recovered. At the time of their
disappearance their duty location was Palermo, Sicily. 1LT
Todorovich is listed as missing-in-action, non-battle
casualty. Also listed as missing in action on the flight is
the pilot 1LT Herbert L. Hastings, copilot 2LT Ray Brown
Lobdell, and crew chief S/Sgt William B. Brezee of 379th
Bomber Squadron, 310th Bomber Group, Medium, 12th Air Force,
and a third passenger CPT Lewis T. Stoneburner III, Medical
Corps, 45th General Hospital.
Note: The 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company
(Provisional) had five killed-in-actions, four officers and
one enlisted, but no names, dates, or circumstances.
Source Documents: Missing Air Crew Report No. 1102, 27
October 1943 and Routine Casualty Report No. 26121, 21
November 1943. Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D. was
instrumental in obtaining these documents and conducting this
research. Additional information was provided by Ed Dillon,
Major USAF (Retired), a cousin of CPT F.H. Dillon.
Additional Facts: Service Number: O1550517; Home State:
Maryland; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome
American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy (*).
Find-A-Grave--1LT Todorovich
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``T''
6. T/5 CPL Herbert M. Paszotta was killed on 11 November
1943. T/5 CPL Paszotta was assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb
Disposal Squad. T/5 CPL Paszotta died from injuries he
received in an accident involving two trucks in the vicinity
of Paestum, Italy.
Note: From LTC Bob Leiendecker, USA (Retied): I have a
document that lists a T/5 Panzota as one of the original
members of the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad when it was
activated on 17 February 1943. Then another document says,
quote, ``CPL Herbert Pazsotta was killed in an accident
today. His loss is keenly felt by members of both squads,''
end quote. That entry was on 11 November 1943.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 35369347; Home State:
Indiana; Buried: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial,
Nettuno, Italy, Plot: C, Row: 6, Grave: 46 (*).
Find-A-Grave T/5 CPL Paszotta
7. T/5 CPL Philip J. Zore was killed on 20 May 1944. T/5
CPL Zore was assigned to the 142nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal
Squad.
Note: From LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired): I have a
copy of the History of the 142nd Bomb Disposal Squad for May
1944 and I will quote the entry in it. Members of the squad
were at a farewell dance for members of the 235th Ordnance
Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) that had been
deactivated. T15 CPL Zore had been chosen from the 235th
Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company (Provisional) along with
others to be a charter member of the new 142nd Ordnance Bomb
Disposal Squad. The dance was in honor of those that had not
been placed in squads and would be soon departing. The date
for the dance was 19 May 1944 and arrangements were made to
have (chaperoned) Woman Army Corps (WACs) personnel on hand
along with several Italian women (Signorinas).
142nd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad history: Quote, ``At the
conclusion of the dance the drivers prepared their 6x6's for
the taxi service afforded the Signorinas. The girls were
taken home and the drivers returned. T15 CPL Zore, one of the
designated drivers, asked for special permission to escort
his (new girl) friend home and it was granted. Although much
of the mystery has not been cleared, whether it was foul play
or just accidental, Zore's body was found afloat (in a pond)
not far from the home of his (girl) friend the following
morning. Since the victim was one of the author's closest
friends he has chosen not to dwell on the subject any more
than possible, but he feels his death should be recorded in
our history as a memorial to his friendship'' unquote. Zore's
vehicle was not found. One of Zore's buddies identified his
corpse, and remembered this puzzling incident long afterward.
Note: The 235th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company
(Provisional) had five killed-in-actions, four officers and
one enlisted, but no names, dates, or circumstances.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 36252406; Home State:
Wisconsin; Buried: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and
Memorial, Nettuno, Italy, Plot: F, Row: 3, Grave: 36 (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Zore
8. T/5 CPL Norman Reynolds and PVT Joseph T. Seredinski
were presumed killed on 17 August 1944. T/5 CPL Reynolds and
PVT Seredinski were assigned to the 4th Platoon, 234th
Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company. They were involved in an
explosion at an ammunition storage dump. T15 CPL Reynolds and
PVT Seredinski are listed as missing-in-action.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 31135327; Home State:
Massachusetts; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Normandy
American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, France
(*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Reynolds
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``R''
9. PVT Joseph T. Seredinski and T/5 CPL Norman Reynolds
were presumed killed on 17 August 1944. PVT Seredinski and T/
5 CPL Reynolds were assigned to the 4th Platoon, 234th
Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company. They were involved in an
explosion at an ammunition storage dump. PVT Seredinski and
T/5 CPL Ryenolds are listed as missing-in-action.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 33333852; Home State:
Pennsylvania; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Normandy
American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, France
(*).
Find-A-Grave--PVT Seredinski
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``S''
10. T/SGT James H. Eberle was killed on 23 August 1944. T/
SGT Eberle was assigned to the 151st Ordnance Bomb Disposal
Squad. T/SGT Eberle was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 36071153; Home State:
Illinois; Buried: Florence American Cemetery and Memorial,
Florence, Italy, Plot: F, Row: 8, Grave: 28 (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/SGT Eberle
11. T/5 CPL Elmer L. Allison and T/5 CPL Joseph Kozic were
killed on 16 October 1944. T/5 CPL Allison and T/5 CPL Kozic
were assigned to the 134th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They
were involved in a minefield accident.
12. T/5 CPL Joseph Kozic and T/5 CPL Elmer L. Allison were
killed on 16 October 1944. T/5 CPL Kozic and T/5 CPL Allison
were assigned to the 134th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They
were involved in a minefield accident.
[[Page E721]]
13. T/SGT Joseph Michel, Jr. and T/5 CPL Paul F. Tyler were
killed on 7 January 1945. T/SGT Michel and T/5 CPL Tyler were
assigned to the 45th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They were
killed during enemy action.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 12061912; Home State: New
York; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, St.
Avold, France, Plot: B, Row: 14, Grave: 47. Find-A-Grave--T/
SGT Michel
14. T/5 CPL Paul F. Tyler and T/SGT Joseph Michel, Jr. were
killed on 7 January 1945. T/5 CPL Tyler and T/SGT Michel were
assigned to the 45th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. They were
killed during enemy action.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 32305466; Home State: New
Jersey; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, St.
Avold, France, Plot: C, Row: 18, Grave: 96. Find-A-Grave--T/5
CPL Tyler
15. SGT John H. Baxley was killed on 1 February 1945
according to Army historical bomb disposal records. SGT
Baxley was assigned to the 30th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad
(Separate) in Belgium. SGT Baxley was killed while attempting
to inert a dangerous German anti-tank projectile near
Verviers, Belgium.
Additional Facts: Born: 14 November 1921; Age: 23; Home
State: New York; Buried: Long Island National Cemetery,
Farmingdale, New York; Plot: J, 0, 13806.
Find-A-Grave--SGT John H. Baxley
16. CPT Bernard E. Anderson was mortally injured on 13
January 1945 and died from wounds on 26 February 1945. CPT
Anderson was assigned to the 48th Ordnance Bomb Disposal
Squad (Separate). His death was listed as a non-battle
casualty.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 01556832; Home State:
Maryland; Burial: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial,
Coton, England, Plot: F, Row: 6, Grave 125. Find-A-Grave--CPT
Anderson
Note: According to LTC Robert E. ``Bob'' Leiendecker, USA
(Retired) records, in March 1945, two members of the 234th
Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal) were killed near
Heming, France when the unit's truck loaded with hazardous
and unserviceable German ammunition exploded.
17. SGT Ernest P. Smith, Jr. and T/5 CPL Joseph V. Tabone
were killed on 12 March 1945. SGT Smith and T/5 Tabone were
assigned to the 177th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. SGT Smith
was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 34787310; Home State:
Florida; Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial,
Manila, Philippines, Plot: D, Row: 4, Grave: 112 (*).
Find-A-Grave--SGT Smith
18. T/5 CPL Joseph V. Tabone and SGT Ernest P. Smith, Jr.
were killed on 12 March 1945. T/5 Tabone and SGT Smith were
assigned to the 177th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad. T/5 CPL
Tabone was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 32789265; Home State: New
York; Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila,
Philippines, Plot: A, Row: 10, Grave: 63 (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Tabone
19. T/5 CPL Dallas Harold Factor and an unknown member of
the squad were killed on 14 March 1945. T/5 CPL Factor and
the other squad member were assigned to the 26th Ordnance
Bomb Disposal Squad. T/5 CPL Factor and the other squad
member were killed in action by mines while working near
Samres, in the Ardennes (Belgium and Luxembourg region). This
is formation was provided by SGM James Ferris, USA (Retired).
His grave marker states that he was killed on 14 November
1945.
Additional Facts: Born: 19 August 1909, Mount Sterling,
Illinois; Age: 35; Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa; Buried: Quincy
National Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois, Plot: Section: B, 112C.
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Factor
Note: A report from the 26th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad
states that on 14 March 1945 two members of the squad were
killed in action by mines while working in the Ardennes
(Belgium and Luxembourg region). Now one of the names is
known. This information was provided by LTC Robert
Leiendecker, USA (Retired).
20. T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC Leo E. Gonshor, PFC
Robert E. Inman, and PVT Edward R. Morris were killed on 17
March 1945. T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Gonshor, PFC Inman, and PVT
Morris were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon
(Bomb Disposal). T/5 CPL Pinkham was posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 31133783; Home State:
Massachusetts; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and
Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: F, Row: 6, Grave:
59(*)
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Pinkham
21. PFC Leo E. Gonshor, T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC
Robert E. Inman, and PVT Edward R. Morris were killed on 17
March 1945. PFC Gonshor, T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Inman, and PVT
Morris were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon
(Bomb Disposal). PFC Gonshor was posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number 33354443; Home State:
Pennsylvania; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and
Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: E, Row: 6, Grave: 28
(*).
Find-A-Grave--PFC Gonshor
22. PFC Robert E. Inman, T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC Leo
E. Gonshor, and PVT Edward R. Morris were killed on 17 March
1945. PFC Inman, T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Gonshor, and PVT Morris
were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon (Bomb
Disposal). PFC Inman was posthumously awarded the Purple
Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 35332453; Home State:
Ohio; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial,
Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: E, Row: 1, Grave: 53 (*).
Find-A-Grave--PFC Inman
23. PVT Edward R. Morris, T/5 CPL Harold L. Pinkham, PFC
Leo E. Gonshor and PFC Robert E. Inman were killed on 17
March 1945. PVT Morris, T/5 CPL Pinkham, PFC Gonshor and PFC
Inman were assigned to the 232nd Ordnance Service Platoon
(Bomb Disposal). PVT Morris was posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 35292391; Home State:
West Virginia; Buried: Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and
Memorial, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, Plot: H, Row: 5, Grave: 65
(*).
Find-A-Grave--PVT Morris
Note: According to LTC Robert E. ``Bob'' Leiendecker, USA
(Retired) records, a member of the 234th Ordnance Service
Platoon (Bomb Disposal) was injured on 13 April 1945. He was
admitted to the 51st Evacuation Hospital where he died the
following day (14 April 1945) of acute cardiac failure.
24. T/5 CPL Roscoe I. Moore and T/5 CPL Dean A. Shoulders
were killed on 18 March 1945. T/5 CPL Moore and T/5 CPL
Shoulders were assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Bomb Disposal
Squad (Separate). Their deaths were recorded to had taken
place in Germany (no exact location and circumstances are
given). This information was provided by LTC Robert
Leiendecker, USA (Retired).
Additional Facts: Born: 29 May 1921; Age: 23; Service
Number: 39618122; MOS 924; Home State: Petroleum County,
Montana; Buried: Custer National Cemetery, Crow Agency, Big
Horn County, Montana; Section: D; Site: 69; Remains
transferred from Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial,
Margraten, Netherlands and reinterred on 9 December 1948.
Find-A-Grave--T/5 Moore
Genealogy Trails--WWII--T/5 Moore
25. T/5 CPL Dean A. Shoulders and T/5 CPL Roscoe I. Moore
were killed on 18 March 1945. T/5 CPL Shoulders and T/5 CPL
Moore were assigned to the 53rd Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad
(Separate). Their deaths were recorded to had taken place in
Germany (no exact location and circumstances are given). This
information was provided by LTC Robert Leiendecker, USA
(Retired).
Additional Facts: Service Number: 32757002; MOS 924;
Hometown: National Park, New Jersey.
National Park WWII Memorial--National Park NJ--T/5 Shoulders
Note: On 13 April 1945 a bomb disposal technician died in a
hospital of cardiac failure, while on an incident. The
technician was a member of the 234th Ordnance Service Platoon
(Bomb Disposal). This information was provided by LTC Robert
Leiendecker, USA (Retired).
26. T/SGT Landon H. Chambers was killed on 16 April 1945.
T/SGT Chambers was assigned to the 160th Ordnance Bomb
Disposal Squad. T/SGT Chambers was posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 18187385; Born: 13
October 1922, Galveston, Texas; Age: 22; Home State: Texas;
Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial,
Margraten, Netherlands, Plot: I, Row: 7, Grave: 2 (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/SGT Chambers
27. T/5 CPL Merle W. Fry was presumed killed on 18 April
1945. T/5 CPL Fry was assigned to the 92nd Ordnance (Bomb
Disposal) Squad. T/5 CPL Fry was assigned to the same unit
and presumed killed on the same date as CPT George C. Sarauw,
2LT Arthur J. Zellmer, T/SGT Francis H. Zurn, and T/5 CPL
Elmer J. Craddock were killed, and T/5 CPL Raymond J. Rondeau
was presumed killed. They are listed on the EOD Memorial. The
unit was participating in the assault landing on le Jima
(also called le Shima), Okinawa when their vehicle detonated
a landmine. T/5 CPL Fry is listed as missing-in-action. T/5
CPL Fry was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 13060083; Home State: New
York; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial
Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery),
Honolulu, Hawaii (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Fry
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``F''
28. T/SGT Sam A. McCleneghan was killed on 1 May 1945. T/
SGT McCleneghan was assigned to the 125th Ordnance (Bomb
Disposal) Squad. T/SGT McCleneghan was posthumously awarded
the Purple Heart Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 37703570; Home State:
Colorado; Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial,
Margraten, Netherlands, Plot: J, Row: 2, Grave: 13 (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/SGT McCleneghan
29. T/5 CPL George C. Miller was presumed killed on 6 May
1945. T/5 CPL Miller was assigned to the 234th Ordnance
Service Platoon (Bomb Disposal). T/5 Miller is listed as
missing-in-action.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 35381016; Home State:
Ohio; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American
Cemetery and Memorial, Cambridge, England (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Miller
[[Page E722]]
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``M''
30. T/SGT Earl R. Colebaugh, T/5 CPL Clement E. Berger, and
T/5 CPL Robert H. Falkenheim were killed on 9 May 1945. T/SGT
Colebaugh, T/5 CPL Berger, and T/5 CPL Falkenheim were
assigned to the 123rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, Third
Army. T/SGT Colebaugh, T/5 CPL Berger, and T/5 CPL Falkenheim
were killed in Czechoslovakia, while disposing of ammunition.
T/SGT Colebaugh was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
Medal. Medals: Army of Occupation--Europe Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 36775329; Home State:
Illinois; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial,
Saint Avold, Lorraine Region, France, Plot: J, Row: 36,
Grave: 13 (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/SGT Colebaugh
31. T/5 CPL Robert H. Falkenheim, T/SGT Earl R. Colebaugh,
and T/5 CPL Clement E. Berger and were killed on 9 May 1945.
T/5 CPL Falkenheim, T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Berger were
assigned to the 123rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, Third
Army. T/5 CPL Falkenheim, T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Berger
were killed in Czechoslovakia, while disposing of ammunition.
T/5 CPL Falkenheim was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
Medal. Medals: Army of Occupation--Europe Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 6831089; Home State:
Illinois; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial,
Saint Avold, Lorraine Region, France, Plot: E, Row: 20,
Grave: 35 (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Falkenheim
32. T/5 CPL Clement E. Berger, T/SGT Earl R. Colebaugh, and
T/5 CPL Falkenheim were killed on 9 May 1945. T/5 CPL Berger,
T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 CPL Falkenheim were assigned to the
123rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, Third Army. T/5 CPL
Berger, T/SGT Colebaugh, and T/5 Falkenheim were killed in
Czechoslovakia, while disposing of ammunition. T/5 CPL Berger
was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Medals: Army
of Occupation--Europe Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 42028085; Home State: New
York; Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint
Avold, Lorraine Region, France, Plot: J, Row: 4, Grave: 8
(*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Berger
33. 1LT Hugh C. W. Huntley was presumed killed on 24 May
1945. 1LT Huntley was a Flight Engineer assigned to U.S. Army
Air Force's XXI Command, 874th Bomber Squadron, 498th Bomber
Group, Very Heavy. 1LT Huntley's B-29-65-BW bomber (#44-
69852) ``Filthy Fay III'' (call sign T SQ 26, tail code 26)
departed Saipan on 24 May 1945, on an incendiary bombing
mission over South Tokyo, Japan, as part of Mission 181
during night of 23-24 May. Five hundred and twenty of 562 B-
29's sent against Tokyo bomb an urban-industrial area south
of the Imperial Palace along the west side of the harbor;
five other B-29's hit targets of opportunity. Seventeen B-
29's are lost. This is the largest number of B-29's
participating in a single mission during World War II. The
bomber went missing on 24 May 1945, between Tokyo and the
Marinas. There were 11 crewmembers and one passenger aboard
the bomber; pilot MAJ Virgil Olds, copilot 2LT Allan W.
Rutter, navigator 1LT John Pobicky, Jr., bombardier, CPT
Leonard S. Ringo, radio operator S/Sgt Russell D. Faull,
radio operator T/Sgt Richard J. Strand, central fire control
gunner S/Sgt Glenn M. Flanigan, left gunner S/Sgt Wibur C.
Connatser, right gunner Sgt Joseph S. Baniewicz, tail gunner
S/Sgt Arthur E. Horn, and passenger CPT Frederick J. Miller.
They are listed as missing in action on 25 May 1945. 1LT
Huntley was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Air Medal with
three Oak Leaf Clusters. 1LT Huntley was a graduate of Army's
Bomb Disposal School. This information was provided by LTC
Robert Leiendecker, USA (Retired). Missing Air Crew Report
(MACR) Number 14491.
Additional Facts: Service Number (enlisted): 20949939;
Service Number (officer): O1550626 Born: 1918; Hometown:
Laramie, Wyoming; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National
Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii. Missing Air Crew Report Number--
1LT Huntley
POW and MIA--1LT Huntley
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army Air Forces ``H''
34. LT Alter was killed on 11 June 1945. LT Alter was
assigned to the 213th Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. LT
Alter was killed, while attempting to render safe a U.S.
depth bomb.
35. T/5 CPL Robert S. Dearing, Jr. was presumed killed on
10 July 1945. T/5 CPL Dearing was assigned to the 104th
Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad. T/5 CPL Dearing is listed as
missing-in-action. T/5 CPL Dearing was posthumously awarded
the Soldier's Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 34705111; Born: 23
February 1924; Age: 20; Home State: Alabama; Memorial:
Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the
Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii (*);
Buried: Wislon-Nooe Cemetery, Franklin County, Alabama.
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Dearing (1)
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Dearing (2)
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``D''
36. T/5 CPL Lester W. Hambly was presumed killed on 10 July
1945. T/5 CPL Hambly was assigned to the 97th Ordnance (Bomb
Disposal) Squad. T/5 CPL Hambly was last known working in the
squad's ammunition holding area. T/5 CPL Hambly is listed as
missing-inaction.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 39696955; Home State:
California; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National
Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National
Cemetery), Honolulu, Hawaii (*).
Find-A-Grave--T/5 CPL Hambly
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``H''
37. PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC Andrew Fahrenbach, Jr., PFC
James A. Linton, and PFC Frank T. Sowers were presumed killed
on 30 December 1945. PFC Ekvall, PFC Fahrenbach, PFC Linton,
and PFC Sowers were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance (Bomb
Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit and were
all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard K.
Tundermann. 2LT Tundennan is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT
Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese
bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Ekvall is listed as
missing-in-action. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East
Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 36904368; Home State:
Illinois; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American
Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines (*).
Find-A-Grave--PFC Ekvall
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``E''
38. PFC Andrew Fahrenbach, Jr., PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC
James A. Linton, and PFC Frank T. Sowers were presumed killed
on 30 December 1945. PFC Fahrenbach, PFC Ekvall, PFC Linton,
and PFC Sowers were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance (Bomb
Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit and were
all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard K.
Tundermann. 2LT Tunderman is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT
Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese
bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Fahrenbach is listed
as missing-in-action. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East
Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 42162339; Home State: New
York; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at National Memorial
Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl National Cemetery),
Honolulu, Hawaii (*).
Find-A-Grave--PFC Fahrenbach
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``F''
39. PFC James Albert Linton, PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC
Andrew Fahrenbach, Jr., and PFC Frank T. Sowers were presumed
killed on 30 December 1945. PFC Linton, PFC Ekvall, PFC
Fahrenbach, and PFC Sowers were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance
(Bomb Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit
and were all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard
K. Tundermann. 2LT Tunderman is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT
Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese
bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Linton is listed as
missing-in-action. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East
Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 44024965; Born: 15
September 1926; Age: 19; Home State: Georgia; Memorial:
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery and
Memorial, Manila, Philippines (*); Buried: Oakland Cemetery,
Waycross, Georgia.
Find-A-Grave--PFC Linton (1)
Find-A-Grave--PFC Linton (2)
Defense POW and MIA--Army WWII ``L''
40. PFC Frank T. Sowers, PFC David W. Ekvall, PFC Andrew
Fahrenbach, Jr., and PFC James A. Linton were presumed killed
on 30 December 1945. PFC Sowers, PFC Ekvall, PFC Fahrenbach,
and PFC Linton were assigned to the 93rd Ordnance (Bomb
Disposal) Squad. They were assigned to the same unit and were
all presumed killed on the same date as 2LT Leonard K.
Tundermann. 2LT Tunderman is on the EOD Memorial. 2LT
Thundermann was presumed killed while disposing of Japanese
bombs in the area of Yonan, Korea. PFC Sowers in listed as
missing-in-action. PFC Sowers was posthumously awarded the
Bronze Star Medal. Medals: Army of Occupation--Far East
Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 35241397; Home State:
Ohio; Memorial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American
Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines (*).
Find-A-Grave--PFC Sowers
Defense POW and MIA Office--WWII Army ``S''
Note: According to the ``European Theater of Operations
(ETO) Bomb Disposal History,'' pp. 34-35: Forty-three bomb
disposal personnel were killed and 68 were injured in the
line of duty, excluding losses during combat. The Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Memorial lists only 32 Army bomb disposal
personnel lost their lives in the European Theater of
Operations during World War Two. This list adds 28 killed in
the ETO and ten killed in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Note: In October of 1946, four men from the 87th Ordnance
(Bomb Disposal) Squad, IX Air Force Command were killed
during an explosion in an ammunition storage area near
Bremerhaven, Germany. Additionally, two men from the 87th
Ordnance Service Squad (Bomb Disposal) were injured and four
German prisoners of war that were assisting the squad were
killed in the explosion.
41. SGT Doroteo Reyes was killed on 30 May 1947. SGT Reyes
was a squad leader assigned to the 77th Ordnance Bomb
Disposal Squad (Philippine Scouts). SGT Reyes was in a motor
vehicle accident and died from his injuries, which occurred
at 1400 hours, Caba, La Union, Philippines.
[[Page E723]]
42. SFC Thomas L. McDonough and PFC Paul Royal Seymour were
killed on 6 September 1950. SFC McDonough and PFC Seymour
were assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Detachment,
1st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, 8th Army. SFC
McDonough and PFC Seymour were killed-in-action while
fighting the enemy in South Korea. SFC McDonough was
posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He also received
the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal,
the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential
Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: RA33153496; MOS: 1942;
Born: 1917; Hometown: Washington, Pennsylvania (+).
Korean War Project Remembrance--SFC McDonough
43. PFC Paul Royal Seymour and SFC Thomas L. McDonough were
killed on 6 September 1950. PFC Seymour and SFC McDonough
were assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Detachment,
1st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, 8th Army. PFC
Seymour and SFC McDonough were killed-inaction while fighting
the enemy in South Korea. PFC Seymour was posthumously
awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He also received the Korean
Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National
Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation,
and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Additional Facts: Service Number: RAl2351691; MOS: 3924;
Born: 1932; Hometown: Keeseville, New York, Buried: Saint
Peters Cemetery, Plattsburgh, Pennsylvania (+).
Find-A-Grave--PFC Seymour
Korean War Project Remembrance--PFC Seymour
44. CPL Earle M. Lockwood, Jr. was killed on 15 September
1950. CPL Lockwood was assigned to the 1st Ordnance Bomb
Disposal Detachment, 1st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company,
8th Army. He was killed-in-action while fighting the enemy in
South Korea. CPL Lockwood was posthumously awarded the Purple
Heart Medal. He also received the Korean Service Medal, the
United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service
Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the
Republic of Korea War Service Medal. CPL Lockwood may have
been posthumously promoted to SGT.
Additional Facts: Service Number: RA11164944; MOS: 3924;
Born: 1930; Hometown: Newtown, Connecticut (+).
Korean War Project Remembrance--CPL Lockwood
45. SFC Charles W. Shrider and PFC Raymond D. Stefaniak
were killed on 1 October 1951. SFC Shrider and PFC Stefaniak
were assigned to the 938th Ordnance Company (Explosive
Ordnance Disposal) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. SFC Shrider
and PFC Stefaniak were transporting a trailer full of TNT and
Composition ``C'' explosives that was being pulled behind
their jeep, when at 1400 hours an explosion occurred in the
trailer. Their jeep was hurled forward more than 100 feet,
setting it on fire. The explosion ignited five gallons of
gasoline that they were carrying. SFC Shrider and PFC
Stefaniak were on Longstreet Road and had just pulled into
the fenced-off dud disposal area on the Fort Bragg range
prior to the accident. SFC Shrider was trapped inside the
jeep following the explosion and died instantly. PFC
Stefaniak was thrown clear on the right side of the jeep. SFC
Cecil Coley and CPL Ben Smith of the range personnel office
rushed to the aid of PFC Stefaniak and pulled the injured man
clear of the burning jeep. SFC Coley and CPL Smith were
unable to reach SFC Shrider, who was slumped inside the jeep,
due to the intense flames from the vehicle. PFC Stefaniak was
rushed to Womack Army Hospital where he died about an hour
later from third-degree burns. LTG John W. Leonard has
ordered a board of officers to investigate the accident.
Additional Facts: Born: 21 February 1919; Age: 32; Buried:
Desenberg Cemetery, Lafayette, Ohio.
SFC Shrider's next-of-kin was listed as his wife, Mrs.
Martha M. Shrider of 226 Green Street, Fayetteville, North
Carolina.
Find-A-G-Grave--SFC Shrider
46. PFC Raymond D. Stefaniak and SFC Charles W. Shrider
were killed on 1 October 1951. PFC Stefaniak and SFC Shrider
were assigned to the 938th Ordnance Company (Explosive
Ordnance Disposal) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. PFC
Stefaniak SFC Shrider were transporting a trailer full of TNT
and Composition ``C'' explosives that was being pulled behind
their jeep, when at 1400 hours an explosion occurred in the
trailer. Their jeep was hurled forward more than 100 feet,
setting it on fire. The explosion ignited five gallons of
gasoline that they were carrying. PFC Stefaniak and SFC
Shrider were on Longstreet Road and had just pulled into the
fenced-off dud disposal area on the Fort Bragg range prior to
the accident. PFC Stefaniak was thrown clear on the right
side of the jeep. SFC Shrider was trapped inside the jeep
following the explosion and died instantly. SFC Cecil Coley
and CPL Ben Smith of the range personnel office rushed to the
aid of PFC Stefaniak and pulled the injured man clear of the
burning jeep. SFC Coley and CPL Smith were unable to reach
SFC Shrider, who was slumped inside the jeep, due to the
intense flames from the vehicle. PFC Stefaniak was rushed to
Womack Army Hospital where he died about an hour later from
third-degree burns. LTG John W. Leonard has ordered a board
of officers to investigate the accident.
Additional Facts: Age: 23.
PFC Stefaniak's next-of-kin was listed as his sister,
Gertrude Waclawski of Grand Rapids, Michigan. His father is
Jose and his mother is Mary Stefaniak.
Find-A-Grave--PFC Stefaniak
47. SFC Biddle Carrol ``B.C., Jack, Izzy or Buzz'' Izard,
Jr. was killed on 19 June 1968. SFC Izard was assigned to the
45th Military Intelligence Company, 528th Ordnance
Detachment, 519th Military Intelligence Battalion (Field
Army), 525th Military Intelligence Group, Combined Material
Exploitation Center (CMEC), Military Assistance Command
Vietnam (MACV), Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. CMEC was tasked
with the responsibility to examine, evaluate, and classify
captured enemy material. SFC Izard was killed in the
afternoon when a dud RPG-2 (B-40) rocket exploded. The team
was in the process of loading a 2 1/2-ton truck with captured
enemy ammunition at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, Long An
Province, Republic of Vietnam. Three other men were helping
to load the truck at the time of the accident. SFC Izard was
awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. SFC
Izard was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal school graduate.
Additional Facts: Navy Service Number: 616 03 15; Army
Service Number: 19357542; Service Number: 448035054; Born: 2
August 1920; Coleman, Oklahoma; Age: 47; Hometown: El Paso,
Texas; MOS: 55C4A: Ammunition Maintenance Specialist; Length
of Service: 22 years; Tour Started: 9 April 1967; Buried:
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California,
Section 0, Grave Number 4110; Vietnam Memorial Panel: 56W
Line 34.
Virtual Vietnam Wall--SFC Izard
The Wall--SFC Izard
Army Together We Served--SFC Izard
Navy Together We Served--BM 2/c Izzy
Find-A-Grave--SFC Izard
48. MSG Cornelius Vincent Spillane, Jr. passed away on 16
August 1968. MSG Spillane was assigned to Headquarters
Headquarters Company, 80th General Support Group, Army
Support Command Da Nang, 1st Logistics Command, Republic of
Vietnam. MSG Spillane contracted Hepatitis on 11 July 1968,
at Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. MSG Spillane was
evacuated to Trippler Army Medical Center, Hawaii where he
died a week later with kidney failure. He was awarded the
Bronze Star Medal with ``V' Device with two Oak Leaf Clusters
and the Purple Heart Medal. MSG Spillane was an Explosive
Ordnance Disposal school graduate.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 31376234; Born: 7
February 1924; Age: 44; Hometown: South Berwick, Maine;
Vietnam Memorial Panel: 52W Line 014.
Virtual Vietnam Wall--MSG Spillane
Army Together We Served--MSG Spillane
49. CPT Paul Barkley Bowman was killed on 31 January 1970.
CPT Bowman was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Bowman was aboard a
helicopter that was shot down north of Tay Ninh in an area
called ``Mo Con Woods.'' The area was called Mo Con Woods
because it was heavily forested with sparse civilian
population and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) used this area
for infiltration across the Cambodia border, which was close
by. The day before a helicopter was on a recon mission in
that same area when it took ground fire from a 12.7mm
antiaircraft gun. The helicopter was able to get away without
taking any hit. It was believed an estimated battalion sized
force was in the area getting ready for a broader dry season
offensive in the Tay Ninh area. On 31 January 1970, A, B, and
C Company from the 25th Infantry Division were airlifted by
Hueys into the area. The force expected heavy casualties with
A and B Companies took several killed-in-actions (KIAs) and C
Company had eight to ten wounded-in actions (WIAs). Many of
the NVA soldiers melted back across the border, but those
fighting a rear guard action were emplaced in heavily
fortified bunkers. With U.S. forces on the ground taking
heavy fire Huey helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-15462)
carrying CPT Bowman made a heroic approach at treetop level
to drop CS gas and to put down suppressive machinegun fire on
the enemy to root them out of the bunkers. The helicopter was
shot down with a total loss of lives onboard. The efforts of
all onboard the helicopter saved the lives of many soldiers
on the ground that day. Seven soldiers died in that crash,
four aircrew members and three passengers. Those that were
killed were from B Company, 25th Aviation Battalion, 25th
Infantry Division, CW2 Ronald Joe Fulton, pilot; 2LT Michael
Lorrell Arrants, copilot; SGT John Thomas Rodgers, gunner;
SGT Jerald Dale West, crew chief; and passenger from
Headquarter Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division CPT
John Lawrence Beek; CPT Paul Barkley Bowman, and CPT Jerry
David. CPT Bowman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross,
Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal. CPT Bowman was
an Explosive Ordnance Disposal school graduate. CPT Bowman
was inducted in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Hall of Fame in
June 2010.
Additional Facts: Service Number: 369427269; Born: 3
September 1943; Age: 26; Hometown: Newaygo, Michigan; Buried:
Newaygo Cemetery, Newaygo, Michigan, Plot: Section F, Lot
095, Grave 2; Vietnam Memorial Panel: 14W Line 083.
Virtual Vietnam Wall--CPT Bowman
The Wall--CPT Bowman
Army Together We Served--CPT Bowman
Find-A-Grave--CPT Bowman
[[Page E724]]
50. CPT Frederick Phillip ``Fred'' Smith was killed on 13
February 1971. CPT Smith was the Assistant Division Chemical
Officer assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company 1st
Cavalry Division (Airmobile), United States Army, Pacific--
Republic of Vietnam. CPT Smith was stationed at Phuoc Vinh,
Camp Casey, Republic of South Vietnam. On 13 February 1971,
CPT Smith was conducting a ``People Sniffer'' mission over
Binh Tuy Province, III Corps (present-day Binh Thuan
Province) in a valley suspected to be occupied by enemy
troops at Military grid coordinates YS848912. Headquarters,
Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery (aerial
rocket), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was tasked to
support the mission. The mission team consisted of one Army
UH-1H Huey helicopter (68-16360) and two AH-1G Cobra attack
helicopters. LTC Adalbert E. ``Bert'' Toepel, Jr., 2d
Battalion's commanding officer, sat in the Huey's front left
seat as the aircraft commander. In the front right seat sat
the pilot, CPT L.R. Burnette. The crew engineer (or crew
chief) in the far left well was SP4 T.M. Morgan. PFC W.
Wallace was the gunner in the far right well. Besides CPT
Smith, others on the flight included 2d Battalion's Sergeant
Major, SGM Dobson, and an enlisted soldier from the 184th
Chemical Platoon (Direct Support) that was there to assist
CPT Smith with the drop. The mission's objective was to make
one or two runs at 1,500 feet (optimum altitude for maximum
effect) down the valley dropping approximately 20 modified
Air Force BLU E158 tactical CS-2 (2-
chlorobenzalmalononitrile) clusters bombs from the Huey
helicopter. CS is a chemical agent in the family of riot
control agents, commonly called ``tear gas.'' Each E158
cluster bomb consisted of 264 D-cell battery-sized canisters
of CS held in place by a plastic unit that measures 3-foot-
long and 1-foot-wide. A timing fuse detonates a bursting/
igniting charge that sends the smaller munitions over a 50-
meter area, spraying CS as they scatter. The hope was that
the tear gas submunitions would drive the enemy from their
hiding places and expose them in a more open area making them
vulnerable to rocket and gunfire from two supporting Cobra
attack helicopters. The drop time was in early morning to
assure that the CS gas would settle into the jungle canopy
instead of being blown away by the wind, which was expected
to happen later in the day. Take off was scheduled for 0600
hours. No problems were encountered in the preparations and
loading of the canisters, which were placed on end just
inside the open doors of the helicopter's cargo compartment.
As a safety precaution, the pilot of the aircraft (right
seat) wore a protective mask in the event any of the CS gas
entered the crew compartment and adversely affected either of
the pilots. It is not recalled if anybody else was wearing a
protective mask during the mission. All passengers were seat-
belted in. Upon the start of their run, there was a sudden
explosion in the passenger/cargo compartment and the entire
interior was immediately filled with burning CS gas. Somehow
the arming wires of the third cluster must have come loose,
and an E 158 cluster began detonating inside the Huey
helicopter by the door. It's surmised that the cause of the
malfunction was that someone somehow accidentally snagged the
arming wire, which activated the timer. The copper retaining
wires on the fuzes had been precut. This explosion started a
chain reaction setting off the other clusters. Prior to the
mission, a gallon can of transmission fluid was placed in the
cargo compartment. After the clusters went off the crew chief
announced over the intercom, ``Sir, the transmission fluid is
on fire!'' The pilot immediately went into autorotation in
order to get the aircraft closer to the ground and the crew
prepared for a possible emergency landing in the 100-foot
plus high jungle canopy. The aircraft commander instructed
the crew in the cargo compartment to jettison all canisters,
which the aircraft commander now believes had already
happened. In avoiding the conflagration in the cargo
compartment someone somersaulted onto the radio console,
located between the two pilots. The aircraft commander
wrestled with that person briefly to remove him from the
proximity of the aircraft controls. The aircraft commander
instructed the pilot to check his instruments and the pilot
reported that they still had power. Now realizing that there
wasn't a fire on board, but there was a lot of CS gas and
smoke, the aircraft commander jettisoned his aircraft entry
door. With his sight now returning, the aircraft commander
took control of the aircraft from the pilot and flew in a
slip (sideways), which caused air to blow across the interior
of the helicopter and helped evacuate the gas fumes. While
this was going on, CPT Smith, although badly burned and with
his clothing on fire from the black powder bursting charges,
realized that everyone's lives was endanger and he was able
to undo his seatbelt and push all of the clusters out of the
helicopter. In the confusion, blinded and choking by the CS
smoke, he may have been thrown out during the autorotation or
by the explosion of the charges. CPT Smith went out with the
clusters munitions and fell 1,500 feet to his death. When
their vision returned, someone reported that CPT Smith was
missing. What was originally thought to be a burning can of
transmission fluid turned out to be the burning of a small
container of CS gas on the floor of the aircraft. The small
containers of burning gas caused extensive damage to the
nylon seats and interior insulation in the aircraft. CPT
Smith's quick thinking and actions saved the lives of six
people onboard the Huey helicopter. The helicopter
crewmembers were wearing their standard issue Nomex flight
clothing and gloves, and were protected from more serious
burns on their skin. Despite protective clothing and a
helmet, one of the CS containers became lodged just behind
the aircraft commander's neck, which resulted in third-degree
burns. One of those containers also landed next to his right
arm resulting in second-degree burns. Portions of his face
not covered by the visor of his flight helmet were hit by gas
and caused first- and second-degree burns. Other crewmembers
were similarly burned. The helicopter crew chief was
transferred to Camp Zama Hospital in Japan with severe burns.
The passengers on the helicopter wore standard nylon jungle
fatigues and were also extensively burned. The enlisted
soldier assisting Captain Smith received severe burns and was
transferred to Camp Zama Hospital where he underwent an
extensive period of hospitalization. Not knowing what damage
may have occurred to the aircraft, the helicopter was flown
to a nearby artillery firebase FSB Mace where it landed. The
accompanying escort aircraft followed. SP4 Lee Gurley and
another medic from C Company, 15th Medical Battalion, 1st
Cavalry Division (Airmobile) treated the injured. The
incident was then reported to the division tactical
operations center. Three days later an infantry unit was able
to go in and recover Captain Smith's body. CPT Smith was
awarded the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak
Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart Medal. CPT Smith was an
Explosive Ordnance Disposal school graduate. CPT Smith was
inducted in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Hall of Fame in June
2008.
Additional Facts: Service Number (Enlisted): RA 18733814;
Service Number: 448463006; Born: 6 March 1946, Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma; Age: 24; Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Buried:
Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 NW Grand Blvd, Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma; Vietnam Memorial: Panel 05W-Line 102.
Virtual Vietnam Wall--CPT Smith
The Wall--CPT Smith
Army Together We Served--CPT Smith
First Cavalry Division Memorial
Find-A-Grave--CPT Smith
Acknowledgements:
1. SGM James G. ``Jim'' Ferris, USA (Retired).
2. LTC Robert E. ``Bob'' Leiendecker, USA (Retired).
3. Dr. Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Ph.D.
Note: All mortuary records for World War II, for all
branches, are kept at the Total Army Personnel Command
(TAPC). You may write and request a copy of his Individual
Deceased Personal File (IDPF) at the below listed address:
U.S. Total Army Personnel Command
ATTN: TAPC-PAO (FOIA)
200 Stoval Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0404
Phone: (703) 325-5300 (for questions and to check your
request)
____________________