United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947)

The airplane departed RAF Thurleigh at 1030LT on an operation to Lille. Approaching the target area, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Bondues, about 10 km north northeast of Lille. Five crew members were killed, four became PoW and one evaded.
Crew:
Cpt Richard Douglas Adams, pilot,
Lt Carl W. Cook, copilot,
S/Sgt Jim T. McCloy, radio operator, †
S/Sgt Peter Greyno, mechanic, †
2nd Lt Julius C. Landrum, navigator,
2nd Lt John Arthur Latchford Jr., bomb aimer,
S/Sgt Ford L. Winchell, air gunner,
S/Sgt Anthony J. Lacek, air gunner, †
S/Sgt Frank M. Zeck, air gunner, †
Sgt John S. Saunders, air gunner. †

The airplane ditched in the Mediterranean Sea off the Spanish coast and was lost. There were no fatalities.

On approach to Borinquen, while on a delivery flight, the twin engine airplane crashed into the sea 8 km west of the airfield. There were no fatalities.

The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances 29 km southeast of Walterboro. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Forrest E. Carter,
2nd Lt Douglas W. Cole,
2nd Lt William C. Stewart,
Sgt Gene E. Lefler.

Shortly after takeoff from Memphis Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed.

The airplane crashed while taking off from Saint Louis-Lambert Airport. One crew member was killed.
Crew:
Cpl Charles L. Linn.

For unknown reasons, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing at Harding Field, Baton Rouge. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and there were no fatalities.

The airplane was on a transit flight from Prestwick to Presque Isle with intermediate stops in Reykjavik and Bluie West One (Narsarsuaq). It departed Reykjavik Airport at 0834LT bound to the west. Due to weather conditions, the airplane was forced to land on the east coast of Greenland. At approximately 1300LT, Reykjavik received a signal from the crew of the C-53, reporting they were down. The crew gave, what they thought were the correct coordinates, and were instructed to pop flares at designated times. The flares were seen from three different stations. After an exhaustive search, the crew of the C-53 were declared dead after 30 days. It was determined that with no battery, rations or proper cold weather clothing, the crew could not survive past 30 days.
Crew:
Cpt Homer C. McDowell, pilot,
2nd Lt William L. Springer,
S/Sgt E. L. Monahan,
Pvt William W. Everett,
Pvt Thurman Johannessen.

Sincere thanks to Jennifer Lehr, project leader, historian and family member of one of the crew, for her contribution.

The airplane departed Port Moresby-5 Mile Aerodrome at 1050LT to drop supplies to the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment at Bofu during their crossing of the Kapa Kapa Trail across the Owen Stanley Range. During the supply drop, one of the cargo parachutes became tangled on the tail assembly, causing the airplane to crash into a hillside. All eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Harold B. Majure, pilot,
Sgt Douglas Croot, copilot,
Sgt Jack J. Deonier, flight engineer,
T/Sgt Clifford D. Stephens, radio operator.
Passengers:
Col Lawrence A. Quinn,
Cpt Harland C. Andrews,
Pvt Stanley C. Davis,
Pvt Kenneth W. Horrocks.

The airplane crashed on takeoff and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.