Names and serials are the machine's reading of the typed form; a linked name is the man's record.
Statements, questionnaires and capture reports
Eyewitness statement, page 2 · 16 April 1944
3908 295 FILE DATA ON REMAINS NOT YET RECOVERED OR IDENTIFIED NAME (Leet, Pirat, Middle Initiel) GRADE PRESENT SERTAL NUMB ER BUEKER, ARThuR, J JR. 2ND/LT. 0702894 ORGANIZATION RACE CREED FORMER SERIAL NUMBER 815Th BOMB s g(H) (11 Applicable) 483 RD BOMB GP. WHITE NOPRFF. DATE OF DEATHANIA CAUSE OF DEATH PLACE OF DEATH OR PLACE LAST SEEN IF NIA 16 APR. 1944 OVER ADRIATIC SEA DATE OF FOD 24 MILES FROM MANFRE ONIA 18 AUG 1945 FINDING OF DEATH ON ITALY COAST MEIGNT WEIGNT COLOR EYES COLOR NAIR SNOE $1.25 64" - 150 DENTAL C NART UPPER RIGHT UPPER LEFT 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 LOWER PIGHT LOWER LEFT 16 15 :4 13 12 11 10 9 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 x = Extracted o = Cavious 1 = Cavious Non-Restorable FRACTURES AND/OR BREAKS TATTOOS A.m.un BIRTHMARK NONE Shoun NONE Shown. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 22 YEARS OLD. O GMG FORM 371 23 S EP 46 DATE FORWARDED TO FIELD
293 MEMORIAL DIVISION OOMG FORM 371 INFORMATIONAL DATA SHEET 11 Sep 16 REMAINS NOT YET RECOVERED OR IDENTIFIED 3908 Last Name First Name Middle Initial Grade Serial Number 0759179 Officer's enl. BURNETTE, JAMES D. 2NDLT ASN (If upplicuble) Organi zution Race Creed 815th BOME SQ (H) 483RD BOMB GP WHITE PROTESTANT Date of Death/MIA Cause of Death Place of Death or lust 16 APR 44 Seen if MIA DATE OF FOD 18 AUG 45 FINDING BF DEATH YUGOSLAVIA Height Weight Color Eyes Color linir Shoe Size 5'81's 130 GRAY BROWN 8/12 DENTAL CHART 9 JAN 43 8.7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 : 3 4 5 6 7 8 (Upper R) (Upper L) 16151413121110 9 9 10 11 12 13 14 le 16 (Upper d) (Lover L) X-Extracted O- Cavious 1- Cavious Non-Posbrable Fractures and/or Breaks Tattoos und/or Erthmark NONE NONE additional Information CREW MEMBER ON PLANE LAST SEEN TO NIS, OVER THE ADRIATIC SEA RETURNING FROM BOMBINA MISSION 20 YUADSLAVIA YRS. OLDAT DATE MIA, Fwd to Field
US CONFIDENTIAL equals British COMPIDENTIAL - 18. ATTACH AERIAL PROTCORAPH, MAP, CHART, OR SKETCH, SHOWING APPROXIMATE LOCATION WHERE ATRORAFT WAS LAST SEEN. Attached. 14. ATTACH EYENITNESS DESCRIPTION OF CRASH, FORCED LANDING, OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING ATRCRAFT. Atteched, 15. ATTACH DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF SEARCH, IF ANY, AND GIVE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICERS HERE. Negative. MAY 8 1944 Date of Report 17 April 1944 12 9 10, 11., in 2 3 Sirnature of Officer. W. L. LINN, MAJOR, ATR CORPS, Operations officer. RECEIVED US CONFIDENTIAL equals British CONFIDENTIAL
U S CONFIDENTIAL equals British CONFIDENTIAL 815th BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H) 483rd BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) STATEMEN! Flanos were over target at 1119. Flak was moderate to heavy and extremely accurate. Plane 979, Lt. Warburton, pilot, was noticed trailing and losing altitude after rallying to the right after bomb release. At 1135, five members of the crew were seen to bail out by my tail gunner, Sgt. Reamer. I never saw the plane in distress until the formation circled waiting for 979. The plane was following the formation until a point approximately on the Yugeslavian Coast, according to Sgt. Reamer. Bail out occured approximately 45 miles due west of the alternate target, Nis, Yugoslavia. /3/ Williem W. Craddock WILLIAM W. CRADDOCK, 2nd Lt., Air Corps, Navigator. A TRUIS COPY White W. L. LINN, Mejor, Air Corps, Operations Officer. U S COMPICENTIAL equals British CONFIDENTIAL
APPTA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALE QUESTIONNAIRS Name of crew mombert BAINTS T. agt. File 3908 Rank: Sorial n thber: Position! Crew (Bomber) 02 Asst. Quanes Did he ball out? No- Where? If not, why not? UNAbleTo Adjust chesTchuTe To HARNESS Because he HAd Hooks ON PACK And HARNESS. Last contaot or conversation Just prior to or at time of loss of plane: we Tried To Fix it, But where UNAble To, sowe TOLD HIM To ReporT Tothe PILOT-SINCE INTERPhONE WAS"OUT -He HAd Togo UP IN PERSON. Kas he injurod? NIT when I LEFTTHE ship. when I WAS about to LeAve The ship-I Took one Where WAL le when last seen? LAST Look Foward & Baines WAS JusT ENTERING The RAdIOROOM. Any homesay infor ation: About 40R5 dAys AFTER bailing OUT, Some CheTNiK soldiers Passing ThROVILLAge we were AT, Told us ThAT 4oFFicer ANdAN ENLISTed MAN HAd BeeN TAKEN By AN ALBANIAN GueriLha Band and Turned over ToThe German's. (ONe oTher VERSION WAS that They HAd BeeN Robbed. F CLothing And jewelry ANd PHT To death. BUTThiSMAN changed His sToRy to Their Being Turned OVER The GERMANS. Souroe': FROM CHeTNiK SOLDIERS Any explucation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- ition: I HAVE ALW AYS FeLT ThAT Baine's AND The others ARe Alive SOMEWhERE IN ALBANI4 Being Held There By The Guerillas. Because I Believe The Plane WAS To Badly HiT And Losing ALTITUdE enoug h Net TeHAVE cleARed The coasTAL MOUNTAIN Range. Total number or nissions of above crew nember: 2 Dates und destinctions if possill : 4/15/47 NIC, YugosLAviA. 4/16/44 - Nic, YugosLAviA. 6-3861-AF
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRS Name of crew vile 3808 Rank: de Serial nonber: 7/0 Positioni Crew (Bomber (fichter) Did he ball oat? No Where? - If not, why not? No knowledge Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: THOLASTI CAN Revember WAS AN oxygen check LNWAY To TARgeT Vas he injured? leknowledge, The last Time 2 saw him WAS AT TAKE FF" Where whi he when last seen? ROOM where He issued EMERGENCY KiTs Any heresay infor ation: SAME AS BAINES Source: Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- ition: I Believe ThAT ED OBRIEN DiDn't JUMP whentheRe,I oF us did because oF Baives predicAmenT oR IT could) Be thAT ONRIF the ther oFFiceRs WAS injured so he Jandan They since most of The FLAK HIT The FRONT end oF The PLANE Total number of missions of above orew nember: 2 Dates und destinations if possible: 4/15/94 NIC YugosLAviA 4/16/14 Nic YugoslAviA 6-3861-AF
AFPFA-11 INDIVIDU 4 CASUA, 2 CUESTIONIAIRE Name of crew member: 3908 Rank: A d. Serial nomber: Fosition: Crew (Bomber) 61 Nevignens Did he ball out? No- Where? If not, why not? N. Kenneledge Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plene: NONE That I CAN Remember was he Injured? No Knowledge Where was he when last seen? 2LAST SAWhiM AT Any horessy infor ation: SAME AS BAINES ANY O'BRIeN Source: Any explacation of his fate bared in part or wholly on suppos- ition: SAME As F.O. O'BRien's. Total number of missions of above new nember: 2 Dates und destinations if 4/15/14 Nic' YugoslAvit 4/16/44 Nic YugoslAvit 6-386-11
AFPFA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE Name of crew momber: James Rank: 9968 Sorial n inber: 0-259179 Position: Crew (3omber) or co Pilet Did he ball out? No. Mhore? If not, why not? No Knowledge Last contact or conversation prior to or at time of loss of plone: was he injured? No Knowledge Where WE he when last seen? Any homess.y infor ation: -SAME - Souroe: Any explanation of his fate In part or wholl; on suppos- - ition: SAME AS O'BRien's Total missions member: 2 number of of aboy Daten und destinations if possible: 4/15/44 Nic YugesLAviA 4/16/44 Nic YugoshAvit 6-3261-AF
Casualty questionnaire, page 22: Joseph F. CARDONE · 16 April 1944
AFPTA-12 CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Your name Joseph F. CARDONE Rank 3/59T Serial No. 31083761 483 BOMbEP 2. Organization 815 spd. Gp Commander Rank Sqn CO Rank (full name) (full name) 3. What year 1944 month APRIL day 16 did you go down? 4. What was the mission, Nic YUGOSLAVIA , target, RAILROAD YARDS , target time, altitude, route scheduled, No Knowledge ,route flown 5. Where were you when you left formation? 6. Did you bail out? Yes 7. Did other members of crew bail out? HoThERS- Engineer J.T. HoLcomb. -Radio operator HeRBeRT BRYNILDSEN - BOLLTURRET FRANKCLOS - -TAIL quesses DAVID JeFFers. - 8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". The FIRST ToLeAve The ship WAS - The RAGIO MAN - MyselF- FoLLowed by Clos +LAST JeFFeRS. We LeFT The ship AT ABOUT 13.000 FT. 9. aircraft Where did your strike the ground? No Knowledge 10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) No Knowledge 11. were they in aircraft? No Knowledge 12. What was their condition? No Knowledge 13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des- cribed above? 14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge. Indicate source of information. (Any additional information may be written on the back) 6-3862, AF
Eyewitness statement, page 23: dre · 16 April 1944
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY CUESTIONNAIRE 3908 Name of crew member: dre Rank: indelte. Serial n inber: 0-70as9% Position: Crew (Bomber) Navigator Did he ball out? Unknowm Where? If not, why not? Unknown Last contaot or conversation just prior to or at time of loss or plune: No couversation affur take off tas he injured? Unknown Where was he when last seen? Befone take off. Any hemessy infor ation: None Source: Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- - ition: None Total number of missions of above crew nember: 2 Dates und destinetions if possible: April 15, 1964, Nis April 16, 1944, Njs 6-3861-AF
A?PFA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY CUESTIONNAIRE Name of crew member: James D. File 3908 Rank: Serial n inber: 0-759179 Fosition: Crew (Bomber) do Pilet Did be ball out? Where? Unknown If not, why not? Last contaot or conversation just prior to on at time of loss of plone: No conversati off. tas he injured? No. Where was he when last seen? Co-pilia's position Any hemesay infor ation: None Source: Any explacation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- ition: Nene Total numbur or missions of above crew member: 2 Dates und destinations if possible: April 15, 1944, Nis April 16, 1944, Nis 6-3861-AF
ATPFA-11 INDIVIDUAL L CUESTIVITAIRE Name of crew member: Justin J. Mie 3908 Rank: 7/0 Sorial n Position: Crew (Bomber or Did he bell out? Unknown Where? If not, thy not? Unknown Last contact or, conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: No conversation after tâke off. tas he injurod? Unknown Where WFS he when last seen? Before take off. Any heresay infor ation: None Source: Anv explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- ition: None Total number of nissions of above crew member: 2 Dates and destinetions if possible: April 15, 1944, Nis April 16, 1944, Nis 6-3861-AF
APPFA-11 INDIVIDUAL CASUALE I QUESTIONNAIRE Name of orew momber: %. Rank: Tile 3908 Sgt. Serial n onber: Fosition: Crew (Bomber ) or ) lass. Gunner Did he bail out? Unknown Where? If not why not? Unknom Last dontact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: No conversation after take all Was he injured? No Where MEE he when last seen? Raido comp. Any hemesey infor ation: None Source: Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- ition: None 2 Total number of missions of above crew member: Dates und dectinations if poscible: April 15, 1944, Nis April 16, 1944, Nis 6-3861-AF
Casualty questionnaire, page 28: Jeffers David B · 16 April 1944
AFPPA-12 CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Your name Jeffers David B. Rank s/Sgt. Serial No. 2. Organization 483 BG Gp Commander Barton Rank Col. Sqn co Reardon Rank Major (full name) (full name) 3. What year 1944 month April day 16 did you go down? 4. What was the missionWarshalling Yards , target, Nis , target t ime, Aprox. 12:30 , altitude, Aprox. 17000 route scheduled5018ast of Foggia ,route flown Same 5. Where were you when you left formation? Aprox 15 min. from target. 6. Did you bail out? Yes 7. Did other members of crew bail out? Five 8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". No Knowledge 9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Unknown 10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) UNknown 11. Where were they in aircraft? Unknown 12. What was their condition? Unknown 13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des- cribed above? 14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge. Indicate source of information. (Any additional information THAY be written on the back) 6-3862, AF
AFPIA-11 INDIVICUAL CASUALIY Name of crew membor: d. Rank: 7/0 Sorial Il mber: Fosition: Crew (Bomber) Did he bail out? NO Where? - If not, why not? NO KNOWLEDGE Lest conteot or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: NONE tha he injured? NOKNOWIEDGE Where WEE lie when last seen? BOMBADIER'S CONFERTMENT Any heresey infor ation: THATTHE PLONE WENT DOWN IN THE ADRIATIC SEA 24 MilEs OFF THE COAST OF ITALY Souroe: DON'T REMEMBER Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- - ition: IGUPPOSE HE DROWNED Total number of missions of above crew member: 2 Dates und destinetions if pos. Tole: APPLL 15,1974- MISH APRIL 16,1944-NISH - 6-3861-AF
A7FTA-11 INDIVIDUAL CUESTIONAIRI File Name of crew momber: d. de. Rank Serial nimber: Fosition: Orew Did he ball out? NO Where? If not, why not? AD KNOWLEDGE Last contact or convernation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: NONE Kas he injured? Where WRS he whon last seen?? BOURADIERS COMPARTMENT any homesty infor.ation: THAT THE PLANE HCATT DCH'N 14 THE ADRIATION SEA 2441189 AFE RE THE CEAST OF 17th Source: DON'T REMEMBER Any explanation of his fate baced in part or wholly on suppos- ition: ISUPPOSE HE PROWNED Total number of missions of above crew member: 2 Dates and destinetions if possiblo: APRIL15,1974- - NISH APRIL16, 1974-MISH - 6-3861-AF
ATFFA-11 INDIVIDUAL C.SURN ( QUESTIONNAIRE Name of orew nomber: Rank: James S. Sorial n mber: nd.ld. Fosition: Orew El light (Fighter) de Piles Did he ball out? NO Where? If not, why not? NO KNOWLEDGE Last contaot or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: NONE Kas he Injured? as KNOWLEDGE Where WRE he whon last seen? 60 eilet's CRCKEIT Any hemessy infor ation: THAT THE PLAKE WEENT DOH IN THE ADRIATIC SEA 24 units OFF OF THE COASTOE ITALY Source: DIN'T REMEMBER Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on suppos- ition: I SACPOSE HE PROVIDED Total number of Missions of above crew member: 1 Dates und destinetions if possible : ARRIL15,1944 NISH APRILLE, 1944 - NISH 6-3861-AP
PC ? SAris A.FPPA-12 CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE 1. four name FRANK H. Llos JR Rank cirilian Serial No. 14185285 2. Organization 413 Gp Commander BARTON Rank COL. Sqn CO REAKDON Bank MAJOR (full name) (full a) 5. What year 1944 month APRIL day 16 did you go down? 4. What was the mission, MARSHALLING YARD target, NISH , target time, 12:30PM? altitude, 17000FFEET route scheduled, 50°EAST RE EaGGIA 7 , route flown SAME 5. Where were you when you left formation? 30MIN. AFTER GOING OVER TARGET a. you bail out 2 VES othor et oren bail out? YES, SGT. HOIGOMB, SGI BRYLINDSEN ARDONE 8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please girs facts. If you don't know, Bay: "No Knowledge". SGI HOLSOME JUMPEP FIRST ERRM MAIN ESCAPE HATEN ;SGT BRYLINDSEN JUMPED SECOND FREM MAIN ESCAPE HATCHI SGI CARDOME JUNPAD THIRD FROM MAIN ECCAPE MATCH; cpi 6103(KYSRIE) JUMPE D FOURTH FROM MAIN ESCAPE MATCH; SET JEFFERS JUMPED FIFTH FRem MAINESCAPEHATAN 9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? ADRIATIC SER ? 10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should cross, check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) 2nd IRA T. HARDINATON; 2nd JAMES D. BURNETTE; good ARTHER FIOJUSTIN S. O'BREIN; SGT. HALTERT. BALKES 11. Where were they in aircraft? No KNOWLEDGE 12. What was their condition? NO KNOWLEDGE 13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des- cribed above? ITRIED To Fix SET BAINES PARA LOHUTE, COUIDNOTSO TOLD 'M TO SEF LT. WARBURTON; SAH LT. MAREURION BETOUT.OF HIS SEAT To PUT ON HIS PARACHUTE 14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you have knowledge. Indicate source of information. (Any additional information may be written on the back) 6-3862, AF
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
Loss sheet or report scan for B-17 42-2979, mission 4 Nis, Yugoslavia · 16 April 1944 · view at 15thaf.org
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