The following men, assigned to the of 22nd Bm Sq / 341st Bm Grp, were aboard two B-25s involved in a training accident at or near Chakulia Air Base.

2Lt. William J. Alton, pilot
1Lt. Samuel C. Dickinson, Pilot
Finley H. Ganoe
Vernon M. Harrison
Sgt. Guy V. Horn
Sgt. James C. Levee
Pvt. Anthony M. Mandello
2Lt. Nicholas Marich (previously shot down, 25 Oct 42, and returned to base), copilot
Cpl. Sidney S. Newsome
S/Sgt Robert L. Propst
2Lt. Samuel M. White, copilot

I have four references to this accident, three of which provide names and/or position. None of the references provide a date more specific than “the spring of 1943.”

I would appreciate any assistance in determining an ‘official’ date.


Tony Strotman, aka tonystro
son of Francis E. Strotman, eng-gunner, 491st Bm Sq / 341st Bm Grp

I have gained additional information suggesting the accident may well have occurred in January 1943 and the men were interred in a cemetary just outside the airbase at Chakulia.
 
Tony S.

Tony,

According website aviationarchaeology.com  B-25C "41-12671" (William J. Alton) and "41-31436" (Samuel R. Dickinson) collided on 12 January 1943 at Chakulia.

However, #436 apparently not correct, since this serial belonged to a A-35 Vengeance...

Regards,

Leendert

Leendert,

My information indicates B-25C, 41-12671, was a 'Project 157' (341st Bomb Group Cadre) aircraft, picked up by the 22nd BS. In Joe Bauer's listings it was "Condemned" 24 Jun 43. I also have information that B-25D, 41-30436, was also operated by the 22nd, but I have no arrival nor disposition information on this plane.

I believe that with your information we now have the complete picture of the aircraft, the men and the date of the 22nd Bomb Squadron's demoralizing accident.  At my next visit to Maxwell I will check Squadron records for verification.

Thanks!

42-12671 was condemed inventory 24 Jun 1943..which means it was lost prior to that date.
 
Terry T. 

William J. Alton


Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 0-442078
22nd Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, Medium

Entered the Service from: California
Died: 12-Jan-43
Buried at: Plot B Row 1 Grave 376
Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii

Awards: Terry T.

Samuel R. Dickinson


First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 0-435747
22nd Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, Medium

Entered the Service from: Texas
Died: 12-Jan-43
Buried at: Plot C Row 0 Grave 552
Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii

Awards:
 





Finley H. Ganoe


Corporal, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 13033959
22nd Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, Medium

Entered the Service from: Virginia
Died: 12-Jan-43
Buried at: Plot B Row 0 Grave 798
Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii

Awards:
 





Vernon M. Harris


Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 14047740
22nd Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, Medium

Entered the Service from: Tennessee
Died: 12-Jan-43
Buried at: Plot A Row 0 Grave 991
Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu, Hawaii

Awards:
The others may have been moved to private cemeterys..
 
Terry T.

TerryT,
 
 Thanks for all the additional information!  You checked the Cemetary listings before I could... and saved me some time!
 
TonyS

Tony Strotman, MSgt (ret.), USAF
Son of T/Sgt Francis E. Strotman, Engineer-Gunner,
491st Bm Sq / 341st Bm Gp (M), Yangkai, China
"USAAF in CBI Tribute" http://www.usaaf-in-cbi.com