373rd Bomb Squadron
308th Bomb Group
My Dad tells me of a B-24 Squadron that took off from his airfield at Yankai, China to bomb the Japanese in
Indo-China (Vietnam) during the1940s. Not a single plane or crewman returned.
NOTE: History shows that the one crew did return to China, and a few other individuals survived capture. Twenty-nine USAAF Airmen were KIA (Killed in Action), MIA (Missing in Action), or murdered by the Japanese with direct assistance from the Vichy French.
A while back he was talking to a fellow in Ft. Scott, Kansas and found that both had been on the same airfield in the CBI. Dad asked him what unit he belonged to. Bill replied that he was in the 373rd. Taken aback, Dad said he couldn’t have been with them as everyone died or disappeared on that raid. The man said “No” his crew had to abort the mission due to a broken nose wheel, (landing gear), and thus were saved. Bill deployed to the CBI on the B-24 Heavy Bomber "Big Dick", but I have not yet confirmed that airplane as the one that he crewed that day. (I am looking for JPG pictures of "Big Dick" if any one has any. Hint? Hint?)
This is the story of "MISSION #19
TO HAIPHONG" that he was
talking about. Members of these B-24 Bomber crews are reported as the first MIAs (Missing in
Action) in Vietnam.
Dad is T/Sgt Charles E. McCormick, AF-17019531, USAF (Retired). He is my personal Hero and was with the 2nd Troop Carrier Squadron - 10th Air Force, as a C-47A "Goony Bird" Crew Chief on “Jolly Roger”, 41-38734, from Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA (February 1941 through February 1945) in the CBI, (WWII China/Burma/India Theater of War). I was notified recently that 41-38734 is in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil at the Varig Airline Industrial Park. Please take a picture for me if you go there.
Note: 30 March, 2001 - Bill died in March. I hope his 373rd flying comrades contacted him before he died.
The Author is: Mr. Martin Mickelson
"I
am a weekend historian and am writing a book on the history of French Indochina,
including the war years. I would like to hear from anyone that can provide
factual information regarding bombing or strafing missions made against the
Japanese in French Indochina."
"Thanks." my email- savoie7@aol.com
Martin has done the United States Air Force and our Country a great service in
researching and recording this Action. Please E-Mail and thank him.
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