bigpigeon.us webpage WWII Roster > Roster Notes > The Air Dead, © 2023 by Robert A. Christiansen, updated by RAC 2 Feb 2023.
144 Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead Roster members died in aircraft during WWII.
144 Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead Roster members died in aircraft during WWII.
- About eight were passengers, a few were ground crew, the remainder being flight crew members.
- Nearly half the deaths occurred among Army Air Force heavy bomber crews.
- Probably over half occurred from accidents during training, during deployment, and during missions.
- The following list is ordered by number of roster fatalities per aircraft.
- Photos found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_of_the_United_States_during_World_War_II c/o wikipedia.org.
Related Links:
- WWII US > WWII in the Air - primarily information on US WWII aircraft.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator - four-engine heavy bomber, 35 dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_B-24_Liberator#/media/File:Maxwell_B-24_(cropped).jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_B-24_Liberator#/media/File:Maxwell_B-24_(cropped).jpg
† Bogue, Clifford John, tail gunner
† Campbell, Wendell Melvin
† Cargill, Lawrence Elroy, radio operator
† Fenn, Clifford Warren, ball turret gunner
† Gallup, Eugene Maxell, gunner
† Garrean, Elwood Eugene
† Gettys, Joe Lynam Jr., passenger
† Grett, Gerald LaVern, waist gunner
† Holm, Darcy Lee, flight engineer
† Hoogensen, Earl Andrew, flight engineer
† Ingalls, Paul Irwin, photographer
† Janss, Alfred Henry, navigator
† Johnson, Russell John Victor, SN 17-131-544, US Army Air Force, Montgomery Co., crew member
† Kadel, Lloyd George
† Kraschel, James Norman
† Kussman, Edward William, waist gunner
† Lesch, Joseph Ferdinand, radio operator
† Mallette, Richard Earl, co-pilot
† McCord, George Melvin, right waist gunner
† Nord, Carl William, bombardier
† Parks, George Harvey, bombardier
† Pedersen, Roy Marion Jr., navigator
† Petrus, Richard Marvin, tail gunner
† Pogge, George Hubert, navigator
† Rink, Paul Lloyd, navigator
† Robinson, William Brigham Haight, bombardier
† Smith, Howard Myron, flight engineer
† Spedding, Edward William, co-pilot
† Storm, Donald William, navigator
† Thies, Melvin Chris, tail gunner
† Trobough, Jerome Carroll, flight engineer
† Wentz, William Findley, flight engineer
† Wigness, Kenneth Eugene, pilot
† Windle, Fay Richard
† Yergey, Stanley Allen, bombardier
† Campbell, Wendell Melvin
† Cargill, Lawrence Elroy, radio operator
† Fenn, Clifford Warren, ball turret gunner
† Gallup, Eugene Maxell, gunner
† Garrean, Elwood Eugene
† Gettys, Joe Lynam Jr., passenger
† Grett, Gerald LaVern, waist gunner
† Holm, Darcy Lee, flight engineer
† Hoogensen, Earl Andrew, flight engineer
† Ingalls, Paul Irwin, photographer
† Janss, Alfred Henry, navigator
† Johnson, Russell John Victor, SN 17-131-544, US Army Air Force, Montgomery Co., crew member
† Kadel, Lloyd George
† Kraschel, James Norman
† Kussman, Edward William, waist gunner
† Lesch, Joseph Ferdinand, radio operator
† Mallette, Richard Earl, co-pilot
† McCord, George Melvin, right waist gunner
† Nord, Carl William, bombardier
† Parks, George Harvey, bombardier
† Pedersen, Roy Marion Jr., navigator
† Petrus, Richard Marvin, tail gunner
† Pogge, George Hubert, navigator
† Rink, Paul Lloyd, navigator
† Robinson, William Brigham Haight, bombardier
† Smith, Howard Myron, flight engineer
† Spedding, Edward William, co-pilot
† Storm, Donald William, navigator
† Thies, Melvin Chris, tail gunner
† Trobough, Jerome Carroll, flight engineer
† Wentz, William Findley, flight engineer
† Wigness, Kenneth Eugene, pilot
† Windle, Fay Richard
† Yergey, Stanley Allen, bombardier
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress - four-engine heavy bomber, 28 dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress#/media/File:B17_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(framed).jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress#/media/File:B17_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(framed).jpg
† Bailey, Edwin Clark, tail gunner
† Benedict, George Junior
† Blaylock, John Robert Jr., pilot
† Broman, Floyd Leroy, radio operator or waist gunner
† Cohen, Irving, pilot
† Converse, Robert Franklin, pilot
† Dutton, Finley Jake, navigator
† Emerson, Charles Waldo, tail gunner
† Evers, Leland Jr., pilot
† Franklin, Milburn Martin, navigator
† Friend, James Arthur, co-pilot
† Gustafson, Dale Elvin, left waist gunner
† Hale, Donald Max, SN O-764659, US Army Air Force, Montgomery Co.
† Hartkopf, Paul Otto, waist gunner
† Kersten, Lloyd Wesley, pilot
† Knudson, Harold Norman
† Koebel, Leonard Lavern, bombardier
† Melton, Derald William, bombardier
† McClurg, Lynn Herrig Jr.
† Reed, Lawrence Elmo, ball turret gunner
† Schaupp, Dale John, flight engineer
† Seeger, LeRoy Ernest, flight engineer
† Spicer, Robert Francis, co-pilot
† Stockman, Kenneth Herman, radio operator
† Sunberg, John Linder, radio operator
† Sweeny, Duane Grant Henry, pilot
† Wilcox, Blaine Bertrand, bombardier
† Wilcox, Stewart La Val, co-pilot
† Benedict, George Junior
† Blaylock, John Robert Jr., pilot
† Broman, Floyd Leroy, radio operator or waist gunner
† Cohen, Irving, pilot
† Converse, Robert Franklin, pilot
† Dutton, Finley Jake, navigator
† Emerson, Charles Waldo, tail gunner
† Evers, Leland Jr., pilot
† Franklin, Milburn Martin, navigator
† Friend, James Arthur, co-pilot
† Gustafson, Dale Elvin, left waist gunner
† Hale, Donald Max, SN O-764659, US Army Air Force, Montgomery Co.
† Hartkopf, Paul Otto, waist gunner
† Kersten, Lloyd Wesley, pilot
† Knudson, Harold Norman
† Koebel, Leonard Lavern, bombardier
† Melton, Derald William, bombardier
† McClurg, Lynn Herrig Jr.
† Reed, Lawrence Elmo, ball turret gunner
† Schaupp, Dale John, flight engineer
† Seeger, LeRoy Ernest, flight engineer
† Spicer, Robert Francis, co-pilot
† Stockman, Kenneth Herman, radio operator
† Sunberg, John Linder, radio operator
† Sweeny, Duane Grant Henry, pilot
† Wilcox, Blaine Bertrand, bombardier
† Wilcox, Stewart La Val, co-pilot
Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota
two-engine cargo & transport, 13 dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-47_Skytrain#/media/File:C47_Skytrain_-_Duxford_D-Day_Show_2014_(cropped).jpg
two-engine cargo & transport, 13 dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-47_Skytrain#/media/File:C47_Skytrain_-_Duxford_D-Day_Show_2014_(cropped).jpg
† Anderson, Virgil Wendell, co-pilot
† Brazzle, Delbert Sherman, passenger
† Copeland, Donald Walter, pilot
† Downs, Thomas George, pilot
† Flack, David Albert
† Hutchison, Irwin Campbell, co-pilot
† Jensen, Arthur Orville, radio operator
† Jones, Donald Eugene, radio operator
† Jones, Homer Ernest Jr.
† Kelley, Oren H., radio operator
† Malick, William Burton, radio operator
† Rockwell, Harold Ralph, passenger
† Sundberg, Clark Gustaf
† Brazzle, Delbert Sherman, passenger
† Copeland, Donald Walter, pilot
† Downs, Thomas George, pilot
† Flack, David Albert
† Hutchison, Irwin Campbell, co-pilot
† Jensen, Arthur Orville, radio operator
† Jones, Donald Eugene, radio operator
† Jones, Homer Ernest Jr.
† Kelley, Oren H., radio operator
† Malick, William Burton, radio operator
† Rockwell, Harold Ralph, passenger
† Sundberg, Clark Gustaf
Martin B-26 Marauder
two-engine medium bomber, ten dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_B-26_Marauder#/media/File:B_26.jpg
two-engine medium bomber, ten dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_B-26_Marauder#/media/File:B_26.jpg
† Braden, Grant Nathaniel, pilot
† Decker, Richard Charles, nose gunner
† Howard, Charles Joseph, co-pilot
† Hunter, Gail Ray, flight engineer
† Jensen, Waldo Chris, ground crew chief
† Larsen, Lester M.
† Linn, Charles Leroy
† Smith, Henry Clayton, tail gunner
† Stith, George Noel, pilot
† Thompson, Kenneth Boyd, SN O-691318, US Army Air Force, Howard Co., NE, pilot
† Decker, Richard Charles, nose gunner
† Howard, Charles Joseph, co-pilot
† Hunter, Gail Ray, flight engineer
† Jensen, Waldo Chris, ground crew chief
† Larsen, Lester M.
† Linn, Charles Leroy
† Smith, Henry Clayton, tail gunner
† Stith, George Noel, pilot
† Thompson, Kenneth Boyd, SN O-691318, US Army Air Force, Howard Co., NE, pilot
North American B-25 Mitchell
two-engine medium bomber, nine dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_B-25_Mitchell#/media/File:B25_Mitchell_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(14033501440).jpg
two-engine medium bomber, nine dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_B-25_Mitchell#/media/File:B25_Mitchell_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(14033501440).jpg
† Cadwell, Newell Lewis, radio operator
† Cox, Kenneth A., cameraman passenger
† Hetrick, Jacob Alvin, co-pilot
† Lawton, Kenneth Burdette, co-pilot
† Miller, Oliver Oscar, tail gunner
† Mueller, Eugene Clyde, navigator-bombardier
† Peterson, Harlan Howard Luther, pilot
† Reestman, Milton Herman, navigator
† Tague, Harold Fremont, flight engineer
† Cox, Kenneth A., cameraman passenger
† Hetrick, Jacob Alvin, co-pilot
† Lawton, Kenneth Burdette, co-pilot
† Miller, Oliver Oscar, tail gunner
† Mueller, Eugene Clyde, navigator-bombardier
† Peterson, Harlan Howard Luther, pilot
† Reestman, Milton Herman, navigator
† Tague, Harold Fremont, flight engineer
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
four-engine very heavy bomber, six dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress#/media/File:B-29_in_flight.jpg
four-engine very heavy bomber, six dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress#/media/File:B-29_in_flight.jpg
† Davenport, William Thomas Jr., right gunner
† Davis, August William Jr., tail gunner
† Gidley, Robert Allan, flight engineer
† Hansen, Elvin E., bombardier
† Rannells, Robert Vance, radio operator
† Widows, Harry James Jr., co-pilot
† Davis, August William Jr., tail gunner
† Gidley, Robert Allan, flight engineer
† Hansen, Elvin E., bombardier
† Rannells, Robert Vance, radio operator
† Widows, Harry James Jr., co-pilot
Douglas A-20 Boston/Havoc
two-engine ground attack & light bomber. five dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_A-20_Havoc#/media/File:Douglas_A-20G_Havoc.jpg
two-engine ground attack & light bomber. five dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_A-20_Havoc#/media/File:Douglas_A-20G_Havoc.jpg
† Holiday, Albert Henry, gunner
† Iverson, Elmer F. Jr., pilot
† Kimball, William George, pilot
† Knapp, Clyde Alfred, pilot
†Olsen/Olson, Clarence Harley, pilot
† Iverson, Elmer F. Jr., pilot
† Kimball, William George, pilot
† Knapp, Clyde Alfred, pilot
†Olsen/Olson, Clarence Harley, pilot
Consolidated PBY Catalina
two-engine navy amphibious patrol bomber, four dead
(copy the following link into the search window of your web browser)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_PBY_Catalina#/media/File:Consolidated_PBV-1A_Catalina_'433915'_Miss_Pick_Up_(G-PBYA).jpg
two-engine navy amphibious patrol bomber, four dead
(copy the following link into the search window of your web browser)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_PBY_Catalina#/media/File:Consolidated_PBV-1A_Catalina_'433915'_Miss_Pick_Up_(G-PBYA).jpg
† Alter, Earl Carlton, co-pilot
† Edmundson, William Thomas
† Garafalo, James Lester, passenger
† Ross, William Thomas, radio operator
† Edmundson, William Thomas
† Garafalo, James Lester, passenger
† Ross, William Thomas, radio operator
Lockheed P-38 Lightning
two-engine fighter, four dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning#/media/File:P38_Lightning.jpg
two-engine fighter, four dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning#/media/File:P38_Lightning.jpg
† Baker, John Llewellyn, pilot
† Garrett, Elmer Earl, pilot
† Napier, Lloyd Hugh, pilot
† Wunder, Frank Grant Jr., pilot
† Garrett, Elmer Earl, pilot
† Napier, Lloyd Hugh, pilot
† Wunder, Frank Grant Jr., pilot
Curtiss C-46 Commando
two-engine cargo & transport, two dead
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_C-46_Commando#/media/File:C-46_Commando.jpg
two-engine cargo & transport, two dead
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_C-46_Commando#/media/File:C-46_Commando.jpg
† Finley, Clyde Clem Jr., co-pilot
† Munchrath, Francis F., co-pilot
† Munchrath, Francis F., co-pilot
Grumman/Eastern F4F/FM Wildcat
navy fighter, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_F4F_Wildcat#/media/File:F4F-3_new_pitot_tube_of_later_model.jpg
navy fighter, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_F4F_Wildcat#/media/File:F4F-3_new_pitot_tube_of_later_model.jpg
† Fisher, Harlan Ray, pilot
† Wagner, Egbert Vernon, pilot
† Wagner, Egbert Vernon, pilot
Grumman/Eastern TBF/TBM Avenger
navy torpedo bomber, crew of three, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_TBF_Avenger#/media/File:TBM3_Avenger_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(14344070442).jpg
navy torpedo bomber, crew of three, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_TBF_Avenger#/media/File:TBM3_Avenger_-_Chino_Airshow_2014_(14344070442).jpg
† Hough, Robert Charles, radio operator
† Sander, Merle Edward, pilot
† Sander, Merle Edward, pilot
North American P-51 Mustang
fighter, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_P-51_Mustang#/media/File:375th_Fighter_Squadron_North_American_P-51D-5-NA_Mustang_44-13926_(cropped).jpg
fighter, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_P-51_Mustang#/media/File:375th_Fighter_Squadron_North_American_P-51D-5-NA_Mustang_44-13926_(cropped).jpg
† Chancellor, Elmer Lee, pilot
† Narvis, Charles William, pilot
† Narvis, Charles William, pilot
Vultee BT-13/15 Valiant
basic trainer, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vultee_BT-13_Valiant#/media/File:Vultee_BT-13A-VU_Valiant_‘018_-_41-21178’_(N27003)_(50905401288).jpg
basic trainer, two dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vultee_BT-13_Valiant#/media/File:Vultee_BT-13A-VU_Valiant_‘018_-_41-21178’_(N27003)_(50905401288).jpg
† Chambers, Stanley Glen, pilot trainee
† Glassburn, Hugh Stuart, passenger
† Glassburn, Hugh Stuart, passenger
Photo links not yet added for the remaining aircraft, where one roster member died
Bell P-39 Airacobra, fighter, one dead:
† Kraschel, Richard Nelson, test pilot
Cessna AT-8/17 & UC-78 Bobcat, two-engine advanced trainer, one dead:
† Trowbridge, Marion Duane, passenger
Consolidated B-32 Dominator, four-engine very heavy bomber, one dead:
† Maule, Kenneth C. gunnery officer
Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express, four-engine cargo & transport:
† McCue, Dudley Van, crew chief
Curtis P-40 Warhawk, fighter:
† Springer, Lynn Irwin, aviation cadet pilot
Douglas TP-70 Nighthawk, two-engine night fighter trainer:
† Harper, Paul Maurice
Grumman F6F Hellcat, navy fighter, one dead:
† Welty, Robert L., pilot
Lockheed B-34 Ventura/Lexington, two-engine advanced trainer, one dead:
† Brown, Bernard Christian, radio operator
Lockheed F-5 Photo Lightning, two-engine photo reconnaissance, one dead:
† Berrenger, Merroll Jackson, pilot
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, two-engine naval patrol bomber, one dead:
† Porter, Harry Edward, radio operator
Martin PBM Mariner, two-engine navy amphibious patrol bomber, one dead:
† Dea, James Richard
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, fighter, one dead:
† Bolton, Wayne Arnold, pilot
Supermarine PR Mk XI Spitfire, English fighter, one dead:
† Dideriksen, Robert Warren, pilot
Vought F4U Corsair, naval fighter, one dead:
† Garner, William Fredrick, pilot
Vought OS2U/OS2N Kingfisher, short-range naval scout with crew of two, one dead:
† Halladay, Robert Monroe, pilot
† Kraschel, Richard Nelson, test pilot
Cessna AT-8/17 & UC-78 Bobcat, two-engine advanced trainer, one dead:
† Trowbridge, Marion Duane, passenger
Consolidated B-32 Dominator, four-engine very heavy bomber, one dead:
† Maule, Kenneth C. gunnery officer
Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express, four-engine cargo & transport:
† McCue, Dudley Van, crew chief
Curtis P-40 Warhawk, fighter:
† Springer, Lynn Irwin, aviation cadet pilot
Douglas TP-70 Nighthawk, two-engine night fighter trainer:
† Harper, Paul Maurice
Grumman F6F Hellcat, navy fighter, one dead:
† Welty, Robert L., pilot
Lockheed B-34 Ventura/Lexington, two-engine advanced trainer, one dead:
† Brown, Bernard Christian, radio operator
Lockheed F-5 Photo Lightning, two-engine photo reconnaissance, one dead:
† Berrenger, Merroll Jackson, pilot
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, two-engine naval patrol bomber, one dead:
† Porter, Harry Edward, radio operator
Martin PBM Mariner, two-engine navy amphibious patrol bomber, one dead:
† Dea, James Richard
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, fighter, one dead:
† Bolton, Wayne Arnold, pilot
Supermarine PR Mk XI Spitfire, English fighter, one dead:
† Dideriksen, Robert Warren, pilot
Vought F4U Corsair, naval fighter, one dead:
† Garner, William Fredrick, pilot
Vought OS2U/OS2N Kingfisher, short-range naval scout with crew of two, one dead:
† Halladay, Robert Monroe, pilot
Roster members who died on unknown aircraft, seven dead
† Branstiter, Daniel Starr
† Buffington, Charles Rollin III
† Enochson, Kenneth Duane Jr.
† Faurot, Owen Hugh, passenger
† Gill, Carl Edward
† Ivy, Dorsie Eugene
† Wagner, Richard Paul, pilot
† Buffington, Charles Rollin III
† Enochson, Kenneth Duane Jr.
† Faurot, Owen Hugh, passenger
† Gill, Carl Edward
† Ivy, Dorsie Eugene
† Wagner, Richard Paul, pilot