Hometown: Summit Co. Ohio
Squadron: 567th BS 389th Bomb Group
Service # 35532630
Pilot 2/Lt. George M. Saunderson MIA/KIA
Target: Trolley Mission
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 16630
Date Lost: 7-May-45
Serial Number: 42-100422
Aircraft Model B-24J
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: "The Falcon Returns"
Location: Engers Bridge Rhine River, near Cologne Germany.
Cause: Accident
Notes:
Trolley missions were flown in early May 1945, the purpose being to provide all crew and ground personnel the opportunity to see the results of their contribution in the strategic air war against Germany. Many precautions were taken on these missions, and the most responsible and experienced pilots were chosen to fly. There were no trolley missions flown in bad weather. Despite such precautions, accidents occurred, such as this. All nineteen men aboard were killed, and only six of them were recovered, when the plane crashed into Engers Bridge on the Rhine River, near Cologne Germany.
Crew of 42-100422
2/Lt. George M. Saunderson Pilot MIA/KIA
2nd/Lt. Cornelius J. Atkins Co Pilot MIA/KIA
2nd/Lt. Stephen B. Curtis Navigator MIA/KIA
T/Sgt. Chester D. Conrad Radio Op. KIA
T/Sgt. John A. Kunkel MIA/KIA
T/Sgt. Gildo J. Uliana KIA
S/Sgt. Gordon H. Thomas KIA
S/Sgt. John J. Dunnings MIA/KIA
Sgt. Thomas B. Evans, Jr KIA
Sgt. Thomas B. Evans, Jr KIA
Sgt. William C. Riser MIA/KIA
Sgt. Raymond J. Ruth MIA/KIA
Sgt. Abe A. Becker KIA
Corp. William K. Emery KIA
Pfc. Alfred W. Odegard MIA/KIA
*832nd Squadron, 406th Air Service Group
T/Sgt. Ronald F. Maier KIA
T/Sgt. Ronald F. Maier KIA
S/Sgt. Fredrick W. Selk KIA
S/Sgt. Fredrick W. Selk KIA
S/Sgt. Stanley A. Andersen KIA
S/Sgt. Lilbern D. Daly KIA
S/Sgt. Elbert J. Ravenscraft KIA
Hometown: Summit Co. Ohio
Squadron: 567th BS 389th Bomb Group
Service # 35532630
Pilot 2/Lt. George M. Saunderson MIA/KIA
Target: Trolley Mission
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 16630
Date Lost: 7-May-45
Serial Number: 42-100422
Aircraft Model B-24J
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: "The Falcon Returns"
Location: Engers Bridge Rhine River, near Cologne Germany.
Cause: Accident
Notes:
Trolley missions were flown in early May 1945, the purpose being to provide all crew and ground personnel the opportunity to see the results of their contribution in the strategic air war against Germany. Many precautions were taken on these missions, and the most responsible and experienced pilots were chosen to fly. There were no trolley missions flown in bad weather. Despite such precautions, accidents occurred, such as this. All nineteen men aboard were killed, and only six of them were recovered, when the plane crashed into Engers Bridge on the Rhine River, near Cologne Germany.
Crew of 42-100422
2/Lt. George M. Saunderson Pilot MIA/KIA
2nd/Lt. Cornelius J. Atkins Co Pilot MIA/KIA
2nd/Lt. Stephen B. Curtis Navigator MIA/KIA
T/Sgt. Chester D. Conrad Radio Op. KIA
T/Sgt. John A. Kunkel MIA/KIA
T/Sgt. Gildo J. Uliana KIA
S/Sgt. Gordon H. Thomas KIA
S/Sgt. John J. Dunnings MIA/KIA
Sgt. Thomas B. Evans, Jr KIA
Sgt. Thomas B. Evans, Jr KIA
Sgt. William C. Riser MIA/KIA
Sgt. Raymond J. Ruth MIA/KIA
Sgt. Abe A. Becker KIA
Corp. William K. Emery KIA
Pfc. Alfred W. Odegard MIA/KIA
*832nd Squadron, 406th Air Service Group
T/Sgt. Ronald F. Maier KIA
T/Sgt. Ronald F. Maier KIA
S/Sgt. Fredrick W. Selk KIA
S/Sgt. Fredrick W. Selk KIA
S/Sgt. Stanley A. Andersen KIA
S/Sgt. Lilbern D. Daly KIA
S/Sgt. Elbert J. Ravenscraft KIA
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Ohio.
Family Members
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