S/Sgt Robert M. Bowden MIA/KIA DFC
Hometown: Ft. Worth, Tex
Squadron: 512th BS 376th Bomb Group
Service #O-429286
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Pilot 1st/Lt. Brian W. Flavelle, MIA/KIA SS
Target: Ploesti (White I)
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40563
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WONGO WONGO
Location: Crashed into the Med at 1130 AM, south of Corfu. 2 KIA 3POW
Cause:
S/Sgt Robert Bowden was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 376th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt Flavelle and crew as the lead aircraft of the second section to attack White I which was composed of 7 512th BS aircraft. Approaching Corfu at aproximatly 2000 feet, the aircraft was seen to develop a wing wobble, stall and fall away to the left before entering into a spin diving into the sea. The aircraft detonated upon impact and a column of smoke rose to 200 ft. Various positions reported in the vicinity of 38N 19E. The Flavelle wingman descended to search for survivors which were not located. The aircraft could not climb back to reach the formation and had to return to Libya. Probable reason for the crash listed as improper manual fuel transfer.
Sgt. Robert Bowdens remains were never recovered.
Crew of WONGO WONGO
Capt. Brian W. Flavelle Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1Lt. Robert F. Wilson Navigator
1st/Lt.Jack B. Lanning Bombardier
T/Sgt. John H. Cleveland Engineer
T/Sgt. Willis S. Lutz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Robert M. Bowden Gunner
S/Sgt. Melick J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Melicar J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Tim O. Mclaughlin Tail Gunner
Sgt. Sander Lazar Gunner
Hometown: Ft. Worth, Tex
Squadron: 512th BS 376th Bomb Group
Service #O-429286
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Pilot 1st/Lt. Brian W. Flavelle, MIA/KIA SS
Target: Ploesti (White I)
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40563
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WONGO WONGO
Location: Crashed into the Med at 1130 AM, south of Corfu. 2 KIA 3POW
Cause:
S/Sgt Robert Bowden was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 376th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt Flavelle and crew as the lead aircraft of the second section to attack White I which was composed of 7 512th BS aircraft. Approaching Corfu at aproximatly 2000 feet, the aircraft was seen to develop a wing wobble, stall and fall away to the left before entering into a spin diving into the sea. The aircraft detonated upon impact and a column of smoke rose to 200 ft. Various positions reported in the vicinity of 38N 19E. The Flavelle wingman descended to search for survivors which were not located. The aircraft could not climb back to reach the formation and had to return to Libya. Probable reason for the crash listed as improper manual fuel transfer.
Sgt. Robert Bowdens remains were never recovered.
Crew of WONGO WONGO
Capt. Brian W. Flavelle Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1Lt. Robert F. Wilson Navigator
1st/Lt.Jack B. Lanning Bombardier
T/Sgt. John H. Cleveland Engineer
T/Sgt. Willis S. Lutz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Robert M. Bowden Gunner
S/Sgt. Melick J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Melicar J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Tim O. Mclaughlin Tail Gunner
Sgt. Sander Lazar Gunner
S/Sgt Robert M. Bowden MIA/KIA DFC
Hometown: Ft. Worth, Tex
Squadron: 512th BS 376th Bomb Group
Service #O-429286
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Pilot 1st/Lt. Brian W. Flavelle, MIA/KIA SS
Target: Ploesti (White I)
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40563
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WONGO WONGO
Location: Crashed into the Med at 1130 AM, south of Corfu. 2 KIA 3POW
Cause:
S/Sgt Robert Bowden was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 376th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt Flavelle and crew as the lead aircraft of the second section to attack White I which was composed of 7 512th BS aircraft. Approaching Corfu at aproximatly 2000 feet, the aircraft was seen to develop a wing wobble, stall and fall away to the left before entering into a spin diving into the sea. The aircraft detonated upon impact and a column of smoke rose to 200 ft. Various positions reported in the vicinity of 38N 19E. The Flavelle wingman descended to search for survivors which were not located. The aircraft could not climb back to reach the formation and had to return to Libya. Probable reason for the crash listed as improper manual fuel transfer.
Sgt. Robert Bowdens remains were never recovered.
Crew of WONGO WONGO
Capt. Brian W. Flavelle Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1Lt. Robert F. Wilson Navigator
1st/Lt.Jack B. Lanning Bombardier
T/Sgt. John H. Cleveland Engineer
T/Sgt. Willis S. Lutz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Robert M. Bowden Gunner
S/Sgt. Melick J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Melicar J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Tim O. Mclaughlin Tail Gunner
Sgt. Sander Lazar Gunner
Hometown: Ft. Worth, Tex
Squadron: 512th BS 376th Bomb Group
Service #O-429286
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Pilot 1st/Lt. Brian W. Flavelle, MIA/KIA SS
Target: Ploesti (White I)
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40563
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: WONGO WONGO
Location: Crashed into the Med at 1130 AM, south of Corfu. 2 KIA 3POW
Cause:
S/Sgt Robert Bowden was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his valor in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 376th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Flown by Lt Flavelle and crew as the lead aircraft of the second section to attack White I which was composed of 7 512th BS aircraft. Approaching Corfu at aproximatly 2000 feet, the aircraft was seen to develop a wing wobble, stall and fall away to the left before entering into a spin diving into the sea. The aircraft detonated upon impact and a column of smoke rose to 200 ft. Various positions reported in the vicinity of 38N 19E. The Flavelle wingman descended to search for survivors which were not located. The aircraft could not climb back to reach the formation and had to return to Libya. Probable reason for the crash listed as improper manual fuel transfer.
Sgt. Robert Bowdens remains were never recovered.
Crew of WONGO WONGO
Capt. Brian W. Flavelle Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1st/Lt. John C. Ryan Co Pilot
1Lt. Robert F. Wilson Navigator
1st/Lt.Jack B. Lanning Bombardier
T/Sgt. John H. Cleveland Engineer
T/Sgt. Willis S. Lutz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Robert M. Bowden Gunner
S/Sgt. Melick J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Melicar J. Janacek Gunner
S/Sgt. Tim O. Mclaughlin Tail Gunner
Sgt. Sander Lazar Gunner
Inscription
SSGT 512 BOMB SQ 376 BOMB GP TEXAS
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Texas.
Family Members
Other Records
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