Extension of Remarks
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SERVICEMEN OF
USAAF B-17 40-2072
- HON. GARY G. MILLER -
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor forty American soldiers killed over fifty-seven years ago in a terrible aviation accident. This mishap occurred in Bakers Creek, Queensland, Australia on 14 June 1943. At the time, it was not only the worst aviation accident in Australia, but also the worst aviation accident of World War II.
The aircraft was operated by the United States Army Air Force 46th Transport Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group (46TCG) of the 5th Air Force, United States Army Air Force, and was one of many B-17 aircraft removed and converted from combat status and placed with the 46th as a transport aircraft. Shortly after takeoff from the Mackay airport in Bakers Creek, Australia, their B-17 Flying Fortress lost altitude, falling to the earth in a slow and steady bank and crashed in a ball of flames. In addition to the six crew members, thirty-five soldiers were on board, returning to their posts after being on leave in Mackay. Their names, rank, and units follow:
Crew:
1/Lt. Vern J. Gidcumb, Pilot, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron
F/O William C. Erb, Co-Pilot, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron
2/Lt. Jack A. Ogren, Navigator, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron
S/Sgt. Lovell Dale Curtis, Crew Chief, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron
S/Sgt. Frank E. Whelchel, Crew Chief, 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron
Sgt. David E. Tileston, Radio Operator, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron
Passengers:
Pfc. Arnold Seidel, 5th Air Force, 415th Signal Company
Pvt. Ruben L. Vaughn, 5th Fighter Command, HQ Squadron
T/5 Geroge A. Ehrman, 5th Fighter Command, Signal HQ Company
S/Sgt. Roy A. Hatlen, 35th Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron
S/Sgt. John W. Hilsheimer, 35th Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron
Sgt. Dean H. Busse, 35th Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron
Cpl. Raymond H. Smith, 35th Fighter Group, 40th Fighter Squadron
Maj. George N. Powell, 49th Fighter Group, HQ Squadron
Pfc. Jerome Abraham, 49th Fighter Group, HQ Squadron
Pvt. Charles, D. Montgomery, 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron
Capt. John O. Berthold, 49 th Fighter Group, 8 th Fighter Squadron
Sgt. Carl A. Cunningham, 49 th Fighter Group, 8 th Fighter Squadron
Sgt. Charlie O. LaRue, 49 th Fighter Group, 8 th Fighter Squadron
Sgt. Leo E. Fletcher, 38 th Bombardment Group, 405 th Bombardment Squadron
Sgt. Donald B. Kyper, 38 th Bombardment Group, 405 th Bombardment Squadron
Cpl. Franklin F. Smith, 38 th Bombardment Group, 405 th Bombardment Squadron
T/Sgt. James A. Copeland, 8 th Service Group, HQ Squadron
Cpl. Charles W. Sampson, 8 th Service Group, 11 th Service Squadron
Pfc. Dale Van Fosson, 8 th Service Group, 1160 th Quartermaster Company
Pfc. Kenneth W. Mann, 36 th Service Group, 374 th Service Squadron
Pfc. Charles M. Williams, 455 th Service Squadron
T/5 William A. Briggs, 478 th Service Squadron, 1037 th Signals
Cpl. Edward Tenny, 479 th Service Squadron
Pfc. Norman J. Goetz, 480 th Service Squadron
Pfc. Frederick C. Sweet, 481 st Service Squadron, 46 th Ordnance Company
T/Sgt. Alfred H. Frezza, 27 th Depot Repair Squadron
Cpl. Jacob O. Skaggs, Jr., 27 th Depot Repair Squadron
Pvt. James E. Finney, 27 th Depot Repair Squadron
Pvt. Raymond D. Longabaugh, 842 nd Aviation Engineer Battalion
Cpl. Marlin D. Metzger, 374 th Troop Carrier Group, 6 th Troop Carrier Squadron
Pfc. Frank S. Penska, 374 th Troop Carrier Group, 6 th Troop Carrier Squadron
Sgt. Anthony Rudnick, 565 th Signal Battalion, Company A
Pfc. Vernon Johnson, 440 th Signal Battalion, Company A
Pfc. John w. Parker, 809 th Chemical Company
Mr. Speaker, although these men came from twenty different states, were from many different walks of life, and served in many different units, their common purpose was one: service to our nation. Until recently, the details of this mishap were classified by the Air Force, but now that the incident is available for public attention, I desire to honor the memory of these fine young men.
I applaud the efforts of people like Mr. Colin Benson, who is a historian for the Mackay chapter of the Returned and Service League (RSL) of Australia. Mr. Benson's devotion to obtaining the records of the incident and seeking recognition for these men has been long and arduous. As an Australian, Mr. Benson's dedication to our American soldiers is commendable. Rarely does a foreign country applaud the efforts and sacrifices of another, and strive so hard to honor their dead. I also applaud Mr. Eugene D. Rossel's commitment and dedication to the disclosure of this terrible mishap. He is that type of American who will not rest until heroes like the men I listed above are recognized for their personal sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that we give thanks to all our veterans for the sacrifices they made for our great nation. Unfortunately, we must also live with the knowledge that some of our servicemen and women do not live long enough to become veterans. They give their lives so that ours might be better, and the men of B-17 40-2072 did no less. May we continue to recognize and memorialize our fallen servicemen and women, long into the future.
This is the website where you can find the Extension of Remarks which were
entered into the Congressional Record.www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/query/D?r106:1:./temp/~r106yZ4tG0::