bigpigeon.us webpage WWII Dead > Service Data > Other War w/ Japan Dead, © 2025 by Robert A. Christiansen, updated by RAC 17 Feb 2025
WWII Japan units covered: Japan Overpowered (1 dead), Naval War with Japan (30 dead); Air War with Japan (28 dead); Pacific Base Area (18 dead); China-Burma-India Theater (14 dead). Total 91 dead.
​Pearl Harbor to Midway   Guadalcanal to Pelelieu   Philippines to Okinawa   Other War with Japan dead
  • Each list shown below also appears at the bottom of the corresponding WWII Japan webpage. 
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10 - WWII Japan > Japan Overpowered (1 dead, updated 17 December 2023)
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10-01 - Japan Overpowered > Japan Under Attack (0 dead, updated 17 Dec 2023)
  • In the US Air War with Japan submodule, the Twentieth Air Force webpage has Air Force deaths from the B-29 raids from China and the Mariana Islands directed against Japan .
  • In the US Air War with Japan submodule, the Seventh Air Force webpage has other Air Force deaths in or near the Japanese home islands.
  • In the US Navy War with Japan submodule, the US Submarine Force and Third & Fifth Fleets webpages have Navy deaths from US submarine, surface naval, and naval aviation activity near Japan.

10-02 Japan Overpowered > Japan Vanquished (one dead, updated 7 Jan 2023)
  • Deaths in the Japan area after the surrender announcement of 15 August 1945 and before the official surrender of 2 September.
† Maule, Kenneth C., SN 0-854-272, US Army Air Force, Harrison Co. 
  • 386th Bomb. Sqdn., 312th Bomb Gp., based at Yontan Airfield, Okinawa, Japan; Consolidated B-32 Dominator #42-108544 gunnery officer w/ pilot Leonard M. Sill; KIA 28 Aug 1945 at Yontan Airfield during takeoff; plane skidded off the runway and exploded; crew of 13 all died; Japan Overpowered > Japan Vanquished.
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11 - WWII Japan > The Naval War with Japan (30 dead, updated 4 October 2023)
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11 - The Naval War with Japan
  • Many Pottawattamie area men were lost during the Naval War with Japan. This section lists only those navy personnel who died while serving with the US Submarine Force or with the US Third/Fifth Fleet, the main battle fleet. Other navy deaths appear earlier on this webpage.

11-01 - Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force: (twelve dead, updated 4 Oct 2023)
† Anderson, Edward Franklin, SN 621-91-60, US Navy, Monona & Woodbury Cos.
  • Submarine S-28 (SS-133); DNB abt 4 Jul 1944 off Oahu, Hawaii Territory; S-28 disappeared after submerging during a training exercise; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Bargenquast, Arnold Frank, SN 321-39-14, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Submarine USS Seawolf (SS 197); DNB 4 Oct 1944 near Morotai, Dutch Indies, SW Pacific; Seawolf sunk by friendly fire, all 83 crew & 17 US Army passengers dead; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Daughtrey/Daugherty, Gilbert Pryor, SN 701-04-70, US Navy, Pott. Co. & Jackson Co., MO
  • Submarine USS Growler (SS 215); KIA 8 Nov 1944, W of Manila Bay, Philippines, South China Sea; Growler likely sunk by Japanese depth charge, all 86 dead;  Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Isom, Lyman LeRoy, SN 316-62-54, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Submarine USS Triton (SS 201); KIA 15 Mar 1943 in sea lanes NW of Admiralty Is., Triton sunk by Japanese destroyers; 74 dead, no survivors; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR. 
† Larson, Paul Lewis, SN 321-30-06, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • Submarine USS Tang (SS-306); KIA 25 Oct 1944 in Formosa Strait, W of Formosa; Tang sunk by circular run of its own torpedo; 69 dead, nine survivors; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Messerschmidt, William George Jr., SN 316-95-00, US Navy, Shelby & Harrison Cos.
  • Submarine USS Pompano (SS-181); KIA ~ Sep 1943 Pacific Ocean; Pompano failed to return to Midway Is. from patrol off Japan; 78 dead, no survivors; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force;  BNR.
† Million, Franklin Alexander, SN 620-37-21, US Navy, Taylor Co. 
  • ​Submarine USS Trout (SS-202); 11th patrol; likely KIA 29 Feb 1944 in East China Sea by IJN destroyer Asashimo depth charges; all 81 dead; US Naval War w/ Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Rhoads, Guy Benjamin, SN 648-06-39, US Navy, Custer Co., NE
  • Submarine USS Seawolf (SS 197); DNB 3 Oct 1944 off Morotai, Dutch Indies, S of the Philippines; Seawolf sunk by friendly fire, all 83 crew & 17 US Army passengers dead; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Seidell, Daniel Ryan, SN O-165834, US Navy, Polk Co. & Douglas Co., NE
  • Submarine USS Amberjack (SS 219); KIA 16 Feb 1943 off Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago; Amberjack sunk by Japanese depth charge attack; 60 dead, no survivors; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Stearns, Kirk Comstock, SN 316-67-15, US Navy, Mills Co.
  • Submarine USS Tullibee (SS-284); KIA 26 Mar 1944 off Palau Is., E of the Philippines, Central Pacific; Tullibee sunk by circular run of its own torpedo, 80 dead, one survivor; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.​
† Sturges, Edgar Allen, SN 620-17-09, US Navy, Woodbury Co.
  • Submarine USS Scorpion (SS-278); KIA Feb 1944 east China Sea, probably near entrance to Yellow Sea from a Japanese naval mine; no survivors, no information in Japanese naval records; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.
† Wall, Vernon Palmer, SN 648-07-99, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Submarine USS Seawolf (SS-197); KIA 3 Oct 1944 off Morotai, Dutch Indies, S of the Philippines; Seawolf sunk by friendly fire, all 83 crew & 17 US Army passengers dead; Naval War with Japan > US Submarine Force; BNR.

​​11-02 - Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets: (18 dead, updated 4 Oct 2023)
† Allstot, Max Vernon, SN 621-05-54, US Navy, Shelby & Crawford Cos.
  • Cruiser USS Louisville (CA 28), Task Force 38; KIA 6 Jan 1945, Louisville damaged by kamikaze attack in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines, 42 dead; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Anderson, Robert Arthur, SN 620-60-66, US Naval Aviation, Boone Co. 
  • Torpedo Sqdn. VT 31, Carrier Air Gp. 31, on USS Cabot (CVL-28); Grumman TBF Avenger gunner w/ pilot Donald Hornberger; attack on Japanese destroyer escorting a supply convoy north of Chichi Jima, Bonin Is., Japan; KIA 4 Aug 1944; crew of three lost; Fourth Bonin Raid - US Naval War w/ Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
†  Briley, Harold Vinton, SN 860-48-29, US Navy, Fremont Co.
  • Cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35); KIA 30 Jul 1945 in the Philippine Sea en route from Guam to Leyte; Indianapolis sunk by Japanese submarine I-58; 879 died, 316 survived; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Brunk, Edwin Samuel, SN 859-18-62, USN, Polk & Pott. Cos.
  • Escort Carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), Task Force 52; KIA 24 Nov 1943 near Makin Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Japanese submarine I-175 sank Liscome Bay during the US Tarawa/Makin invasion; 702 dead, 272 survivors; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Christensen, Darwin Arthur, SN 372-48-80, US Navy, Pott. Co. 
  • Aircraft Carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), Task Force 58 flagship, KIA 11 May 1945 90 miles E of Okinawa, Japan; Bunker Hill severely damaged by Japanese kamikaze attack, 389 dead; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; buried at sea.
  • Notes: Web information on the kamikaze attack on the Bunker Hill is sometimes incorrect. The Bunker Hill did not sink. When hit, the Bunker Hill was off the coast of Okinawa, not Kyushu. After the Bunker Hill was hit, Admiral Mitscher transferred Task Force 58 headquarters to the USS Enterprise, and elements of Task Force 58 then proceeded to Kyushu to attempt to deal with the continued kamikaze threat. 
† Cody, Claude LeRoy, SN 648-05-90, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Cruiser USS Houston (CL-81), Task Force 38; KIA 14 Oct 1944 off Formosa; Houston hit by Japanese aerial torpedoes on 14 & 16 Oct; 55 died, 937 survived; Houston stayed afloat and was towed to the US Naval base in Ulithi; Formosa Air Battle - Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.​
​† Etheridge, Lindsey Edward, SN 621-88-27, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Monaghan (DD-354), Task Force 38; DNB 18 Dec 1944 200 miles NE of Samar, Philippines; Monaghan sank in Typhoon Cobra; 256 dead, six survivors; two other destroyers, USS Hull and USS Spence, were also lost in Cobra; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Fisher, Harlan Ray, SN O-325830, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Composite Sqdn. VC-11/VC-21 on escort carrier USS Nehenta Bay (CVE-74), At-Sea Logistics Group Third Fleet, aka Task Group 30.8; Grumman FM-2 Wildcat (built by General Motors/Eastern Aircraft) BuNo 16056 pilot; KIA 22 Aug 1944, SW of Marshall Is., Central Pacific; failed carrier landing S of Eniwetok at location ~ 3 N 164 E; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Garner, William Fredrick, SN O-240615, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Fighter Sqdn. VBF-83, Carrier Air Group 83, on USS Essex (CV-9); Vought F4U Corsair pilot; KIA 18 Mar 1945 near Tomitake Airfield, Kyushu, Japan; shot down; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Hough, Charles Robert, SN 702-52-00, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Torpedo Sqdn. VT-20, Air Group 20, USS Enterprise (CV-6); Grumman TBM-1C Avenger BuNo 46042  radioman; KIA 13 Nov 1944, over Manila Bay, Luzon Philippines; crew of three lost from AA fire; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† ​Isbell, Arnold Jay, SN O-56866, US Navy, Harrison Co. & District of Columbia
  • attached as an observed to carrier USS Franklin (CV-13), Task Force 58.2, engaged in air strikes off the Japanese home islands; scheduled to assume command of USS Yorktown (CV-10); KIA 19 Mar 1945 kamikaze; 807 dead, Franklin survived; US Naval War w/ Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; buried at sea.
† Jentoft, Harold Thomas, SN 321-59-68, US Navy, Montgomery Co.
  • in late 1941, served on escort carrier USS Long Island (CVE-1); escort carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), Task Force 52; KIA 24 Nov 1943 near Makin Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Japanese submarine I-175 sank Liscome Bay during the US Tarawa/Makin invasion; 702 died, 272 survived; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Leach, William Ellsworth, SN 631-07-23, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Destroyer USS Bailey (DD-492), Task Group 32.6; KIA 1 Oct 1944 off Anguar Is., near Peleliu Is.; Bailey strafed by Japanese plane, nine dead; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets.
† Nelson, Herbert Sidney, SN 821-82-95, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Escort Carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), Task Force 52; KIA 24 Nov 1943 near Makin Atoll, Gilbert Is.; Japanese submarine I-175 sank Liscome Bay during the US Tarawa/Makin invasion; 702 dead, 272 survivors; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Rhoten, Roy Edward, SN 958-10-13, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35); KIA 30 Jul 1945 in the Philippine Sea en route from Guam to Leyte; Indianapolis sunk by Japanese submarine I-58; 879 died, 316 survived; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Sander, Merle Edward, SN O-418945, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • Naval Air Torpedo Sqdn. VT-34, on USS Monterey (CVL-26); Grumman/General Motors TBM-3 Avenger BuNo 69111 pilot; DNB 9 May 1945 near the Ryukyu Is., Japan, glide bombing exercise preparing for raids on Japan;  Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Thoreson, Vernon Charles, SN 321-60-87, US Navy, Harrison Co.
  • USS Mugford (DD-389), Task Force 38; KIA 5 Dec 1944, Surigao Strait, S of Leyte Gulf, Philippines; kamikaze attack, eight dead, ship survived; Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets; BNR.
† Welty, Robert L., SN O-407132, US Naval Aviation, Douglas Co., NE
  • Naval Air Fighter Sqdn. VF-12, Carrier Air Group 12; carrier USS Randolph (CV-15); Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat BuNo 77880 pilot; KIA 14 May 1945 over Kyushu, Japan;  Naval War with Japan > Third & Fifth Fleets.
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12 - WWII Japan > US Air Force War w/ Japan (28 dead, updated 17 December 2023)
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12 - US Air Force War w/ Japan
  • ​This section lists only the Pottawattamie area Army Air Force dead involved in the South Pacific, Southwest Pacific, and Central Pacific campaigns. Army Air Force dead from North Pacific, the China-Burma-India, and the strategic bombing of Japan campaigns are listed earlier, as are dead Naval Aviation, Marine Corps Aviation, and Coast Guard Aviation personnel.​

12-01 - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force: (13 dead, updated 16 Dec 2023)
† Burd, Ross D., SN 17-038-346, US Army Air Force, Audubon & Webster Cos.
  • 403rd Bomb. Sqdn., 43rd Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force; based at Jackson Drome, aka 7 Mile Drome, near Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea; Consolidated B-24D Liberator #42-40934 gunner w/ pilot Hughie R. Bonner; d. 13 Oct 1943, aircraft on mission to Rabaul crashed near Amphlett Islands north of Milne Bay, Papua; crew of 10 all died; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force; BNR. 
† Crose, James Harvey, SN 37-470-848, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 498th Bomber Sqdn., 345th Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force; on Liberty Ship SS Thomas Nelson; KIA 12 Nov 1944, Dulag Harbor, Leyte Gulf, Philippines; kamikaze attack, Thomas Nelson survived; 136 died of whom 133 were USAAF; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.​
† Heberlee, Henry Leroy, SN 17-033-411, US Army Air Force, Guthrie Co.
  • 40th Troop Carrier Sqdn., 317th Troop Carrier Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at Dulag Airfield, Leyte, Philippines; Douglas C-47A Dakota/Skytrain #43-15412 crew chief w/ pilot Sam T. Barr; d. 5 Mar 1945 en route from Bayug Airfield, Barauen, Leyte to Clark Air Force Base, Luzon, Philippines; aircraft crashed w/ crew of four & one passenger all dead; bodies later recovered; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
† Jones, Homer Ernest Jr., SN 0-720-519, US Army Air Force, Harrison Co.
  • 8th Combat Cargo Sqdn., 2nd Combat Cargo Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at Biak Is., New Guinea, Dutch Indies; Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota tail number unknown; DNB 3 Feb 1945 Dulag, Leyte, Philippines, another plane taking off veered off the runway and struck Jones' plane, two died; fractured skull; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
† Lawton, Kenneth Burdette, SN 0-738-191, US Army Air Force, Cass Co.
  • 822 Bomb. Sqdn., 38th Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at 17 Mile Drome near Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea; North American B-25G-5 Mitchell #42-64827 co-pilot w/ pilot Ralph E. Freek; KIA 16 Jan 1944 near Ulingan Bay, NNW of Madang, Papua, New Guinea; while flying the coastal area searching for Japanese barges, flight was attacked by Japanese fighters, plane crashed on shore killing all six crew; Operation Cartwheel - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
† Lesch, Joseph Ferdinand, SN 37-471-901, US Army Air Force, Harrison Co.
  • 529th Bomb. Sqdn., 380th Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at McGuire Field, Mindoro Is., Philippines; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #44-40801 Squaw Peak radio operator w/ pilot Francis V. See Jr.; KIA 15 Apr 1945 over Formosa on raid to Shinshoshi Airdrome; plane exploded in mid-air from anti-aircraft fire or hit by bomb dropped from a higher aircraft; crew of 11, five died; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
† Miller, Oliver Oscar, SN 37-267-842, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 500th Bomb. Sqdn., 345th Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at Nadzab Air Field complex near Lae, NE New Guinea; North American B-25D Mitchell #41-29992 tail gunner w/ pilot Thane C. Hecox Jr.; KIA 15 Feb 1944 over Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck  Archipelago; SW Pacific; plane lost during mission, all six dead; Operation Cartwheel - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
​† Parker, Arlo Berry, SN 37-195-236, US Army Air Force, Webster Co.​
  • 43rd Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force; DNB 7 Jun 1945, 249th General Hospital, Ft. Stotsenburg, Luzon, Philippines, cerebral hemorrhage; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
† Peterson, Harlan Howard Luther, SN 0-790-955, US Army Air Force, Montgomery Co.
  • 500th Bomb. Sqdn., 345th Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at 7 Mile Drome, near Port Moresby but staging at Dobodura, New Guinea; North American B-25D-1 Mitchell Sorry Satchul #41-30056 pilot; KIA 18 Oct 1943 after skip bombing & strafing attack on Japanese ship at Rabaul, New Britain; unescorted flight of three B-25s attacked by multiple Japanese aircraft, Sorry Satchul and SNAFU shot down, Tondelayo survived; crew of six all killed; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force; BNR.
​† Prather, Max Armond, SN 37-666-888, US Army Air Force, Clay Co.
  • 405th Bomb. Sqdn., 38th Bomb. Gp., detached service with 501st Bomb. Sqdn., 345th Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force; North American B-25D Mitchell #41-30604 crew member; d. 30 Aug 1944 Dutch New Guinea; weather reconnaissance flight west from Mokmer Airdrome, Biak Is., Dutch New Guinea to Mapia Atoll, __Asia Is., & Waigeo Is. failed to return; crew of seven lost; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
† Reestman, Milton Herman, SN 0-675-002, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 823th Bomb. Sqdn., 38th Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at Durand Air Field, Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea; North American B-25 Mitchell #42-64810 navigator w/ pilot George R. Gable Jr.; KIA 2 Feb 1944, Coral Sea off Port Moresby, New Guinea; Gable's plane disappeared carrying seven while searching for B-25G-1 #42-64881 which had earlier disappeared carrying eleven on a flight from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force; BNR.
† Rockwell, Harold Ralph, SN 0-782-622, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 360th Service Gp., Combat Replacement Training Center, Fifth Air Force, based at Nadzab Air Field complex near Lae, NE New Guinea; on Douglas C-47B Skytrain/Dakota #43-16204 w/ pilot Jacob E. "Jack" Wondaal, en route from Nadzab, New Guinea to Port Moresby, New Guinea; DNB 19 Feb 1945, plane crashed near Waa, New Guinea; seven dead, radio operator survived; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force.
† Wunder, Frank Grant Jr., SN 0-729-400, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 9th Fighter Sqdn., 49th Fighter Gp., Fifth Air Force, based at Dobodura airfields, S of Buna, Papua, New Guinea, staging from Kiriwina Airfield, Trobriand Is.; Lockheed P-38G Lightning #42-12856 pilot; KIA 13 Oct 1943; part of flight of P-38s escorting B-24 bombers for a raid on Rabaul; three P-38s lost, possible collision in cloud bank over Solomon Sea; Operation Cartwheel - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force; BNR.

12-02 - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Seventh Air Force: (three dead, updated 7 Jan 2023)
† Ingalls, Paul Irvin, SN 17-003-249, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 392nd Bomb Sqdn., 30th Bomb. Gp, Seventh Air Force; the group, but perhaps not the squadron, was based at Nanumea, Ellice Is.; B-24 aerial photographer; KIA (sic, perhaps WIA) 28 Dec 1943 Marshall Is. (admitted to hospital on Canton Is. w/ a hemorrhaging bullet wound in thorax); US Air Force War w/ Japan > Seventh Air Force.
† Pedersen, Roy Marion Jr., SN 0-2-071-822, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 866th Bomb. Sqdn., 494th Bomb. Gp., Seventh Air Force, based at Yontan, Okinawa; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #44-40680 Lonesome Lady navigator w/ pilot Thomas C. Cartwright; KIA 28 Jul 1945, over Kure Harbor, Kyushu, Japan; plane shot down by flak on mission against Battleship Haruna; Japan US Air Force War w/ Japan > Seventh Air Force.​
  • Notes: of the crew of ten, Roy M. Pedersen's body was found on nearby land; two, including the pilot, survived as POWs; seven died as POWs 6 Aug 1945 from the Hiroshima atomic bomb. This story is documented in the book, A Date with the Lonesome Lady: A Hiroshima POW Returns, by Thomas C. Cartwright.
† Sundberg, Clark Gustaf, SN 0-701-016, US Army Air Force, Montgomery Co.
  • 19th Troop Carrier Sqdn., Seventh Air Force, based at John Rodgers Airport, Honolulu, TH; C-47A #42-100988 w/ pilot Glenn P. Randol Jr.; DNB 23 Jul 1944 Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Is., Central Pacific; plane crashed in shallow water on takeoff; all nine dead; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Seventh Air Force.

12-03 - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Thirteenth Air Force: (five dead, updated 8 Aug 2023)
† Garrett, Elmer Earl "Bud", SN 0-763-195, US Army Air Force, Fremont Co.
  • 67th Fighter Sqdn., 347th Fighter Gp., Thirteenth Air Force, based on Middleburg Is., near Sansapor, extreme western Dutch New Guinea; Lockheed P-38 Lightning pilot; KIA 3 Dec 1944 over southern Celebes; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Thirteenth Air Force; BNR.
† Hetrick, Jacob Alvin, SN 0-733-132, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 75th Bomb. Sqdn., 42th Bomb Gp., Thirteenth Air Force, based at Mar Drome, NE of Sansapor, Vogelkop Peninsula, Netherlands New Guinea as of 14 Sep 1944; North American B-25J Mitchell # xx-xx965 co-pilot (full tail number unknown) w/ pilot John F. Wolfe; KIA 16 Feb 1945 ten miles E of Kendari, SE Celebes, Dutch Indies; downed by Japanese AA during low-level attack on Kendari airfield; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Thirteenth Air Force.
† Lee, Theodore Evans, SN 0-772-418, US Army Air Force, Mills Co. & San Luis Obispo Co., CA
  • ​unit unknown; KIA 5 Dec 1944 Noomfoor Is., Dutch New Guinea; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Thirteenth Air Force.
† Tague, Harold Fremont, SN 37-111-602, US Army Air Force, Pott. & Mills Cos.
  • 390th Bomb. Sqdn., 42nd Bomb Gp., Thirteenth Air Force, based on Banika, Russell Is., NW of Guadalcanal, staging from Stirling Airfield, Treasury Is. S of Bougainville, Solomon Is.; North American B-25C Mitchell #42-64570 Skilla engineer-gunner w/ pilot Earl Swartzfader; KIA 20 Jan 1944 S of Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago; plane damaged by AA fire while attacking Vunakanau Airfield, later lost control and crashed followed by a fireball; all six dead; Operation Cartwheel - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Thirteenth Air Force.
† Trobough, Jerome Carroll, SN 37-034-015, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co. & Douglas Co., NE
  • 72nd Bomb. Sqdn., 5th Bomb Gp., Thirteenth Air Force, based at Momote, Admiralty Is; Consolidated B-24H Liberator #42-73458 flight engineer w/ pilot John H. Smith; KIA 9 Aug 1944 near Momote; plane lost engine power and ditched near base returning from mission over Yap, Caroline Is., nine died, two lived; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Thirteenth Air Force; BNR.

10-02 - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force (seven dead, updated 17 Dec 2003)
  • Deaths herein are due to the June 1944 - August 1945 US aerial bombing campaign against the Japanese Home Islands using B-29 very heavy bombers.
  • Deaths include both the initial Operation Matterhorn B-29 raids from eastern India using advanced bases in China and the later and larger B-29 raids from Guam, Tinian & Saipan in the Mariana islands.
† Anderson, James Marshall Jr., SN O-667227, US Army Air Force, Mills County (St. Paul's)
  • 482nd Bomb. Sqdn., 505th Bomb. Gp., 73rd Bomb. Wing, Twentieth Air Force; based at North Field, Tinian, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-6351 Pocahontas bombardier w/ aircraft commander John Kretzer; KIA 14 Apr 1945 over Honshu, Japan; aircraft lost, presumably to antiaircraft fire, on night bombing mission at 8,000 feet over arsenal area, Tokyo; crew of 11 all died; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force; BNR.
† Davenport, William Thomas Jr., SN 17-122-771, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • Crew #P-46, 62nd Bomb. Sqdn., 39th Bomb. Gp., XXI Bomber Cmd., Twentieth Air Force, based at North Field, Guam, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #44-69889 The Slic Chic right gunner w/ aircraft commander Edgar B. Grear; KIA 29 May 1945, 120 miles NE of Tori-Shima, S of Tokyo; aircraft hit by flak over Yokohama and ditched, four dead, eight survivors; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force; BNR.
† Davis, August William Jr., SN 17-003-658, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 792nd Bomb. Sqdn., 468 Bomb. Gp., XX Bomber Cmd., Twentieth Air Force, based at Kalaikunda Army Air Field, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-6230 Limber Duggan tail gunner w/ aircraft commander Dushan V. Ivanovic, staging from Pengshan, near Chengdu, China; KIA 15 Jun 1944, near Yawata, Kyushu, Japan; plane was part of the first B-29 raid on Japan; mission consisted of 68 aircraft included 11 correspondents; plane damaged over target & exploded; all eleven crew and Newsweek correspondent William T. Shenkel died; this was the first B-29 lost over Japan, however three other B-29s on this mission went down returning to base; Operation Matterhorn - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force; BNR.
† Gidley, Robert Allan, SN 17-040-837, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 676th Bomb. Sqdn. 444th Bomb. Gp., XX Bomber Cmd., Twentieth Air Force, based at Dudhkundi Army Air Field, near Kharagpur, West Bengal, India, staging from Kwanghan AAF, near Chengdu, China; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-6330 Come-In-23982 flight engineer w/ aircraft commander Charles E. Hansen; KIA 20 Aug 1944 near Chengdu, Sichuan, China; aircraft hit cliff while landing after bombing Yawata Iron Works on Kyushu Is., Japan; eleven dead, one survivor; Operation Matterhorn - US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force.
† Hansen, Elvin Emsley, SN O-739093, US Army Air Force, Harrison Co. & Los Angeles Co., CA
  • 869th Bomb. Sqdn., 497th Bomb. Gp, XXI Bomber Cmd., Twentieth Air Force, based at Isley Army Air Field, Saipan, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-24595 Pacific Union bombardier w/ aircraft commander Leonard L. Cox; KIA 14 Jan 1945 NW of Saipan on a mission to Nagoya, Japan, after leaving base, #3 engine caught fire and Captain Cox decided to ditch; plane exploded when ditching; seven dead, four rescued by destroyer; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force; BNR.
† Rannells, Robert Vance, SN 17-065-979, US Army Air Force, Harrison Co.
  • 873 Bomb. Sqdn., 498th Bomb Gp., XXI Bomber Cmd., Twentieth Air Force, based on Tinian, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 #42-24614 Joltin' Josie radio operator w/ pilot Wilson C. Currier Jr.; KIA 1 Apr 1945, aircraft exploded after takeoff and crashed into Magicienne Bay on nearby Saipan, crew of eleven all died; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force; BNR
† Widows, Harry James Jr., SN O-771857, US Army Air Force, Mills Co.
  • 873rd Bomb. Sqdn., 498th Bomb. Gp., XXI Bomber Cmd., Twentieth Air Force, based at Isley Army Air Field, Saipan, Mariana Is.; Boeing B-29 Superfortress #42-65295 co-pilot w/ pilot Marvel L. Geer; KIA 29 Apr 1945 Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Kyushu, Japan on a mission to bomb Nyakonojo Airfield, Kyushu; aircraft was attacked by fighters, hit, exploded, and crashed on land, crew of eleven all died; US Air Force War w/ Japan > Twentieth Air Force.
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13-01 - WWII Japan > The Pacific Base Areas (18 dead, updated 27 January 2024)
​​══════════════════════════════════
13-01 - WWII Japan > The Pacific Base Areas: (18 dead, updated 27 Jan 2024)
  • All rear area non combat-related deaths in the Pacific appear here.
  • Some combat deaths, such as during travel between bases, also appear here.
  • Post-WWII deaths in the Pacific areas, including Japan are also included.
1 - Territory of Hawaii:
† Heckman, Fred Herman, SN 375-78-78, US Navy, Audubon Co.
  • Came on board Destroyer USS Chew (DD-106) 9 Jan 1942, reenlisted Jul 1943; still on Chew 9 Nov 1943; d. 24 Jan 1944; (the Chew was an old destroyer that performed rear-area duties in the Pacific Theater); WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
† Edmundson, William Thomas, SN 316-87-40, US Naval Aviation, Pott. Co.
  • Naval Air Patrol Sqdn. VP-24, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 05027 crew member; KIA 13 Dec 1942, off Makapuu Point, Oahu; plane lost control & crashed into sea, two survivors; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas; BNR.
† Hulsebus, William Lyle, SN 620-89-09, US Navy, Shelby Co.
  • US Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; DNB 9 Oct 1944 at US Naval Base, Pearl Harbor; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
† Porter, Harry Edward, SN 620-75-00, US Naval Aviation, Cass Co.
  • Naval Air Patrol Bomb. Sqdn. VPB 153, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii Territory; Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon BuNo 37101 radioman; KIA 8 May 1945 Kaneohe Bay; plane crashed shortly after takeoff on antisubmarine training patrol, all six died; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
2 - New Caledonia:
† Bull, Lester Orville, SN 37-260-503, US Army, Montgomery Co.
  • Co. B., 27th Replacement Bn., New Caledonia, South Pacific; d. 21 Aug 1943 from concussion in a truck accident; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
3 - Australia:
† Harlan, Martin Edward, SN 193156, US Navy, Guthrie & Monona Cos. (WWII-HarlanMartinE)
  • attached as a medical officer to Marine Corps in the Southwest Pacific Area; d. 20 Feb 1943 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; WWII Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
4 - Solomon Islands:
† Leu, Robert Carroll, SN 381-47-66, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Navy Signalman, unit unknown; arrived in Guadalcanal, Solomon Is. Apr 1943 from Noumea, New Caledonia on Attack Transport President Jackson (APA-18); DNB 16 Mar 1944 in fall from radio tower on Solomon Is.; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
† Sorenson, Robert H., SN 675-670, US Coast Guard, Shelby Co.
  • Coast Guard cargo ship USS Serpens (AK-97); d. 29 Jan 1945 off Lunga Pt., Guadalcanal, Solomon Is.; Serpens exploded while loading depth charges; 196 Coast Guard personnel, 57 army stevedores, and two others died; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
5 - New Guinea:
† Delaney, Harlan Albert, SN 37-487-707, US Army, Montgomery Co.
  • 279th Replacement Co., Corps of Engineers; DNB 15 Oct 1944 Oro Bay, Papua, New Guinea; laryngitis & tracheobronchitis; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
6 - Philippines:
† Iverson, Elmer F. Jr., SN 0-729-176, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • Far East Air Service Command, Fifth Air Force; Douglas A-20 Havoc #44-46400 pilot; d. 20 Nov 1945 Philippines; flight from Tacloban, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon disappeared, solo - no passengers or other crew; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas; was US Air Force War w/ Japan > Fifth Air Force; BNR.
† Jackson, Bryon Earl, SN 37-490-342, US Army, Montgomery Co.​
  • field artillery, unit unknown; DNB 10 Aug 1945 Dulag Bay, Leyte, Philippines; accidental drowning; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
​​​† Ocean, Jerry Floyd, SN 37-660-643, US Army Air Force --> US Army, Shelby Co.
  • Served with 496th Air Service Sqdn. near Foggia, Italy; after WW II ended in Europe, reassigned to 2750 Engineer Light Equipment Co.; left Leghorn, Italy 1 Jul 1945 on USS General William Mitchell; arrived San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines 11 Aug 1945; drowned in Marikina River, near San Mateo, SE of Manila, Philippines 17 Oct 1945; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
† Parker, Arlo Berry, SN 37-195-236, US Army Air Force, Webster Co.
  • 43rd Bomb. Gp., Fifth Air Force; DNB 7 Jun 1945, 249th General Hospital, Ft. Stotsenburg, Luzon, Philippines, cerebral hemorrhage; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
† Pettie, Vernon Gerard, SN 648-57-95, US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Fleet Hospital #114, Leyte Gulf, Manicani Is., Guinan, Samar, Philippines; DNB 8 Apr 1945, Samar, drowning; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas; was Philippines Liberated > Leyte.
7 - Japan:
† Campbell, Sheldon Edward, SN 37-752-491, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • 24th Medical Bn., 24th Inf. Div.; DNB 23 Dec 1945 in hotel fire on Skikoku Is., Japan; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas; was xxx.
​† Hansen, Warren Gamaliel, SN 859-83-39, US Navy, Audubon Co.
  • Landing Craft Tank LCT-785; d. 2 Jan 1946 on beach at Gushikawa, Chimu Wan, Okinawa; about 17 crew from six landing craft died when LCT-560, laden with munitions for disposal at sea, exploded; The Pacific Base Areas.
† Kraschel, James Norman, SN 17-152-672, US Army Air Force, Shelby Co. 
  • 868th Bomb. Sqdn., attached directly to Thirteenth Air Force headquarters, based at Yontan Airfield, Okinawa Is., Japan; flying radar-equipped Consolidated SB-24 Liberator search bombers specializing in night missions; tail number and pilot unknown; DNB 24 Sep 1945, Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan, aircraft accident after Japan surrendered; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
8 - At sea:
† Ellsworth, Dale Stanley, SN 316-35-54, O-203406 US Navy, Pott. Co.
  • Navy Armed Guard on Liberty Ship SS M. H. De Young; KIA 14 Aug 1943; off Tonga, South Pacific; M. H. De Young torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-19 but remained afloat, towed to Tongatabu, and salvaged; three dead; WWII-Japan > The Pacific Base Areas.
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​14 - WWII Japan > CBI Theater (14 dead, updated 15 Feb 2024)
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14-01 - CBI Theater > China, 1941-45: (six dead, updated 14 Feb 2024)† Berringer, Merroll Jackson, SN O-735025, US Army Air Force, Pott. & Page Cos.
  • Flight H, 35th Photo Recon. Sqdn., Fourteenth Air Force; Lockheed F-5E Photo Lightning #44-23237 pilot; KIA 21 Nov 1944 over South China Sea; disappeared on triangular flight Suichuan-Nimrod Sound-Batanes Is.-Suichuan; BNR.​
† Chancellor, Elmer Lee, SN O-711946, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 118 Tactical Recon. Sqdn., Fourteenth Air Force, based at Chengkung, China w/ advance base at Suichwan, China; North American P-51C Mustang #43-24938 pilot; KIA 28 Dec 1944, over Yangtze River, Anking, southern China; BNR.​
† Cox, Kenneth A., SN 17-078-406, US Army Air Force, Douglas Co., NE & Pott. Co.
  • 16th Combat Camera Unit, based at Kumning, China; on this mission flying with 11th Bomb. Sqdn., 341st Bomb. Gp., Fourteenth Air Force, based at Yangkai, 33 miles NE of  Kumning, China; North American B- 25 Mitchell #_____ with pilot John J. Wise, co-pilot Buster P. Meadows; KIA 18 Jan 1945 Chihkiang, Hunan Province, China; after bombing Puchi railroad bridge NW of Chungking, aircraft overshot runway when landing at staging base at Chihkiang ~ 300 miles SE of Chungking; three dead, four survivors.
† Holm, Darcy Lee, SN 39-836-855, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co. & San Francisco Co., CA
  • 373rd Bomb Sqdn., 408th Bomb. Gp., Fourteenth Air Force, based at Yangkai, 33 miles NE of Kumning, Yunnan, China; Consolidated B-24J Liberator #42-73252 flight engineer, KIA 15 Jan 1944 east of Kweilin & north of Hong Kong, China; crash after departing Kweilin on a search and rescue mission; all ten crew members died.
† Mallette, Richard Earl, SN O-742498, US Army Air Force, Cass & Decatur Cos.
  • 373rd Bomb. Sqdn., 308th Bomb. Gp., Fourteenth Air Force; group based at Kumning, Yunnan, China w/ squadron based at Yangkai near Kumning; Consolidated B-24 Liberator #42-40786 copilot with pilot Ruie W. Suggs; KIA 15 Sep 1943 near Kumning; five B-24s from the 373rd Bomb. Sqdn. attempted to bomb a cement works at Haiphong near Hanoi in Indo-China and were attacked by a force of around 50 Japanese fighter aircraft; three B-24s were shot down; Mallette's damaged aircraft returned to China and crashed near Kumning; all 11 or 12 on board died.
† Taylor, Loren Fay, SN O-692838, US Army Air Force,  Montgomery Co.
  • 373rd Bomb. Sqdn., 308th Bomb. Gp., Fourteenth Air Force; squadron based apart from rest of group at Luliang Airfield, Yunnan, China; Consolidated B-24L Liberator #44-41448 pilot; KIA 11 Feb 1945; during raid against Japanese shipping in the Tonkin Gulf off French Indo-China, the aircraft developed a fuel tank leak & #3 engine fire (the one survivor reported hit by anti-aircraft fire); aircraft lost altitude & crew bailed out near Kai-Bo Is. east of Hanoi; one survivor from crew of eleven; BNR.

Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead - CBI Theater > India, 1942-45:
  • Taken from the bigpigeon.us WWII Dead module.
12-02 - CBI Theater > India, 1942-45: (one dead, updated 14 Feb 2024)† Jones, Donald Eugene, SN 37-484-709, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 1305th Base Unit, India-China Division, Air Transport Command, based at Dum Dum Airport, near Calcutta/Kolkata, West Bengal, India; Douglas C-47B-1-DL Skytrain/Dakota #43-16261 radio operator with pilot Judson B. Baskett; d. 27 Nov 1945 N of Kuala Lumpur, Malaya; flight from Singapore to Butterworth, Malaya.

14-03 - CBI Theater > Burma, 1941-45: (three dead, updated 14 Feb 2024)
† Evans, Robert Samuel, SN 0-489-062, US Army, Pott. Co.
  • 5307 Composite Unit (Merrill’s Marauders); WIA at Nhpum Ga, NW of Myitkyina, Burma, DOW 11 Apr 1944 in hospital, Ledo, Assam, India; CBI Theater > Burma, 1941-45.
† Hammer, Melvin John, SN 37-694-414, US Army, Crawford Co.
  • Co. F, 475th Inf. Regt. (the MARS long range penetration unit which fought in northern Burma), DOW 2 Feb 1945, northern Burma; CBI Theater > Burma, 1941-45.
† Mueller, Eugene Clyde, SN 0-704-040, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 490th Bomb. Sqdn., 341st Bomb. Gp., Tenth Air Force, based at Moran Airfield, Assam, India; North American B-25D Mitchell #43-3612 navigator-bombardier with pilot Frank M. Finney; KIA 24 Oct 1944 near Maymyo, Burma; engine likely struck by ground fire and aircraft crashed; all six dead; CBI Theater > Burma, 1941-45.

14-04 - CBI Theater > Crossing the Hump: (four dead, updated 15 Feb 2024)
​† Finley, Clyde Clem Jr., SN T-004898, US Army Air Force, Harrison Co.
  • 1333rd Base Unit, India-China Division, Air Transport Command, based at Chubua, Assam, India; Curtiss C-46A-5-CK Commando #43-47003 co-pilot; DNB 31 Aug 1945 in Assam, India; aircraft crashed on flight from Kumning, China to Chabua; initially buried at crash site 56 km NW of Dibrugarh-Chabua Airport.
† Malick, William Burton, SN 17-024-190, US Army Air Force, Pott. Co.
  • 6th Ferrying Sqdn., 1st Ferrying Gp., India-China Wing, Air Transport Command, based at Mohanbari, Assam, India; Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota #41-38656 radio operator; DNB 2 Aug 1943 near Yunnanyi, west of Kumning, China on return cargo flight from Kumning to Mohanbari.
† McCue, Dudley Van, SN 6554498, US Army Air Force, Montgomery Co.
  • 78th Transport Sqdn., 22nd Transport Group, India-China Wing, Air Transport Command, based at Jorhat, Assam, India; Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express # 41-11908 crew chief wit pilot Hartvig Larsen of Omaha; DNB 10 Sep 1943 on flight from Jorhat to Kumning, China; aircraft crashed in Hukawng Valley, Burma; BNR.
† Walker, Hayden Leonard, SN 37-262-366, US Army Air Force, Mills Co. & Douglas Co., NE
  • Bn. Headquarters, 445th Signal Construction Bn., Aviation (colored); DNB 19 Oct 1944 in Burma or India; passenger on Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota flight from Myitkyina, Burma to Ledo, Assam, India; aircraft disappeared after requesting a heading to Ledo; BNR.