You searched for: “little red ass”
# | Name | First Names | Rank | Military Service | Honours | Status | Aircraft Type | Tail Number | DateIncident | Squadron | Group or Wing | Circumstances Of Incident | Notes | Links | Photo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Keith | James Gordon | 1LT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Navigator. AO2092926 (WIA, died) Hobart, OK He was situated in the nose of the aircraft and was thrown from his position and mortally wounded.Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
2 | Woods | James Edwin | A2C | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Tail gunner. AF2441312 (MIA / KIA) Buckingham, WV
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamor on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a "routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters of the Sea of Japan". Total time elapse between the time the attack started until components of the aircraft fell into the water was approximately two minutes. There was a crew of 17 - 1 survivor, 2 remains recovered, 1 KIA, 13 MIA. Declassified documents list the names of the crew members, but none of their names show up on the government's official KORWALD list as having been killed, missing, or lone survivor. The co-pilot was the only crew member recovered. He was rescued by an American ship 40 miles from the Soviet coast to the south of Cape Povorotny. The pilot and co-pilot bailed out at the same time. The co-pilot assumed the rest of the crew bailed out, too. A search and rescue aircraft dropped a life raft to other survivors. At least four of them (and possibly more) were seen sitting in the raft. Also seen were nine Soviet PT-type boats in the area and at least six of them were heading to the location where debris from the aircraft was later discovered. A Soviet trawler was also spotted in the approximate area. Lost at sea. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
3 | Wiggins | Lloyd Clayton | 1LT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Navigator AO695999 (MIA / KIA) Lost at Sea. Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
4 | Ward | John Cyrus | CAPT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AO865270 (MIA / KIA) Lost at Sea.
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
5 | Tejeda | Francisco Joseph | USAF | MAJ | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AO726704 (MIA / KIA) Lost at Sea Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
6 | Stalnaker | Robert Elbon | USAF | 1LT | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AO761337 (MIA / KIA) Webster Springs, WV Lost at Sea
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() ![]() |
|
7 | Sanderson | Warren John | 1LT (CAPT ?) | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AO2066184 (MIA / KIA) Parks Rapids, MN Lost at Sea
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
8 | Russell | Charles Joseph | A2C | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AF13391658 (MIA / KIA) Philadelphia, PA
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
9 | Roche | John Ernst 'Packy' | CAPT | USAF | Rescued | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Co-pilot - He was rescued the next day on July 30, 1953. AO2029268 DATE OF BIRTH: 03/24/1917 DATE OF DEATH: 11/04/2007 ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() Arlington ![]() |
|
10 | Radelin | Earl Wilbur Jr | USAF | A2C | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AF14370732 (MIA / KIA) Chattanooga, TN
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
11 | O'Kelley | Stanley Keith | CAPT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Pilot. AO776002 (KIA, BR) Dunsmuir, CA. Aircraft commander - died of exposure in Roche's presence while waiting in the water for rescue - body recovered. Pilot O'Kelley was officially declared dead on July 29, 1953. He is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery at section OS, row 9, site 4.
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() San Francisco ![]() |
|
12 | Little | Donald E | 1st Lt | USAF | F-86 Sabre | AO0835741 | 1952-01-06 | 25th Fighter-Interceptor | 51st Ftr-Int Gp | 1 MIG-15 Victory | |||||
13 | Hill | Donald George | SSGT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AF19353976 (MIA / KIA)
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
14 | Goulet | Roland Edgar | USAF | A1C | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AF12323933 (MIA / KIA) Lost at Sea
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
15 | Gabree | Donald Wayne | SSGT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Crew AF19333787 (MIA / KIA) Montpelier, VT. Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio. Gabree has a memorial marker at Hope Cemetery in Waterbury, VT. He also has another memorial marker at Golden Gate National Cemetery at section MA, site 46. | Archive Report | ![]() Golden Gate Cemetery ![]() Dayton Ohio ![]() Hope Cemetery Vermont |
|
16 | Czyz | Edmund Joseph | 1LT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Navigator. AO2072656 (MIA / KIA) Chicago, IL
Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
|
17 | Brown | Francis Luther | MSGT | USAF | Killed | RB-50 Superfortress | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Flight engineer. AF1905397 (KIA, BR) Modesto, CA Badly injured, in shock, died from over exposure in Sea of Japan. Body recovered. Brown was officially declared dead on July 29, 1953. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery at section R, site 340. Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() ![]() |
|
18 | Beyer | Frank Ernest | 1LT | USAF | Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. | MIA | RB-50 | RB50G-47145 Little Red Ass | 1953-07-29 | 91st Strategic RCNSqn | 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing | Shot down on secret mission | Lost at Sea. AAF MOS 141-Electronics Officer. Service Number AO-209328. From Webber Falls, Oklahoma Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. Built by Boeing. Manufacture Number 15830. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force (USAF) as B-50B-50-BO Superfortress Serial Number 47-145. This bomber was modified as RB-50G ELINT with additional radar and B-50D type nose, sometimes also referred to as RB-50D. Assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (91st SRS) at Yokato AFB. This RB-50 flew from Honshu on a mission in North Korea and was shot down over Sea of Japan southeast of Vladivostok at 42-17N, 133-15 East, by two Soviet pilots (Yablonskiy and Rybakov in either MiG 15 or MiG 17) in the region of Cape Gamov on July 29, 1953 while on a secret mission. Declassified U.S. government documents state that the aircraft was on a 'routine navigational mission in air space over the international waters off the Sea of Japan'. Memorialized 55th SRWA Memorial USAF Museum Dayton Ohio | Archive Report | ![]() |
19 | Harvey | Gordon R | FLTLT | RAAF | DFC DFC (USA) American Air Medal | RMC | F-51D Mustang | A68-772 | 1951-01-19 | 77Sqn | RAAF | Hit by ground fire, caught fire, crash-landed on island in Taedong River SW of Pyongyang. Elevator damage from ground fire | Chinese Communist Force Headquarters, Pyongyang was the target for the Squadron's first autonomous mission on 19 January 1951. The plan called for two sections of 6 aircraft each. The first section armed with two 500 lb general purpose (GP) bombs and four rockets. The second section armed with two napalm bombs and four rockets. The first section opened the attack by dive bombing the headquarters buildings, scoring four direct hits. The second section then attacked with both its napalm and rockets. The anti-aircraft fire was intense but was quickly silenced when the first section returned to strafe the gun positions. One wintry afternoon in 1951 he took off to attack Pyongyang on his 84th combat mission. In the skies above Pyongyang Flight-Lieutenant Gordon Harvey fired his brace of rockets at the North Korean capital designated target and headed for home, keeping low to avoid flak. Then ground fire hit his Mustang fighter-bomber. Oil poured out of the engine coating the windscreen black and forcing the then 27-year-old RAAF pilot to fly blind as he desperately scanned the snow. Eventually he spied an open spot and brought his aircraft down for a belly landing on a snowbank outside the town. Lieutenant G. Harvey had radioed that his aircraft (A68-772) was losing power and that he was going to attempt a forced landing. Harvey successfully landed wheels up on an island in the frozen Taedong River, just north west of the North Korean capital. The following day four of the Squadron's Mustangs searched in hope that Harvey may have evaded capture. The search failed to find any trace of the missing airman who had been taken prisoner soon after landing. On April 28, 1951, Harvey and two Americans escaped and remained on the run for six days until recaptured by Korean civilians. They were punished so severely that one of the Americans died and Harvey was put into a two-metre-deep hole for a month and a half. Harvey was shifted to a Chinese camp where the physical treatment was a little less harsh but he was forced to attend political lectures for eight hours a day and was forced to appear attentive to avoid punishment. He and the other POWs were allowed to read translations of Russian novels and provided with copies of Australian communist newspapers, Sydney's Tribune and Melbourne's Guardian. FLTLT Harvey (the first pilot in the Squadron to fly 100 missions) He was released on 28 August 1953. He later commanded 77Sqn in Malaya, flying Sabre jet fighters. Over the next three decades he had command of both 76 and 77Sqns and taught fighter tactics at the US "top gun" school in Nevada. He also helped establish the fledgling Malaysian Air Force and served as air attache in Paris. Former RAAF Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall "Jake" Newham described Harvey as "one of the finest; upright in every sense and a great pilot". He died in 2018 aged 94 | ![]() Harvey pictured on his release, 20KG lighter. ![]() |
|
20 | Little | David L | CAPT | USAF | RMC | B-29A Superfortress | 44-86327 | 1951-06-01 | 343rd Bombardment Squadron | 98th Bombardment Wing | 4 B-29s headed for Kwaksan RR bridge, downed by MiGs (24 MiGs in area), No. 3 engine on fire, 4 parachutes observed by crew of B-29 6272. Wing set on fire. The pilot of the Russian MiG was Yevgeny Mikhailovich Stelmah. Some crewmen were able to parachute into enemy lines. 4 flights of 4 18th FBGp | Remains recovered![]() | |||
21 | Little | James W | Major | USAF | F-82 Twin Mustang | 8099A | 1950-06-27 | 339th Fighter Interceptor | 6162nd ABW | 1 LA-7 Victory | |||||
22 | Risner | Robinson 'Robbie' | MAJ | USAF | F-86 Sabre | 336th Fighter Squadron | 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing | Born Arkansas on January 16, 1925 Died October 22, 2013. 8 Victories Korea Brigadier General and a fighter pilot in the USAF. During the Vietnam War, Risner was a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to a member of the USAF, awarded the first for valor in aerial combat and the second for gallantry as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for more than seven years. He was the first living recipient of the medal. Risner became an ace in the Korean War and commanded a squadron of F-105 Thunderchiefs in the first missions of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976. At his death, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh III observed: 'Brig. Gen. James Robinson Robbie Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success... Today's Airmen know we stand on the shoulders of giants. One of 'em is 9 feet tall... and headed west in full afterburner.' Risner was recalled to active duty in February 1951 while assigned to the 185th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the OKANG at Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He subsequently received training in the F-80 Shooting Star at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Risner's determination to be assigned to a combat unit was nearly ended when on his last day before going overseas he broke his hand and wrist falling from a horse. Robinson deliberately concealed the injury, which would have grounded him, until able to convince a flight surgeon that the injury had healed. He actually had his cast removed to fly his first mission. Risner arrived in Korea on May 10, 1952, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base. In June, when the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, also at Kimpo, sought experienced pilots, he arranged a transfer to 4th Fighter Wing through the intervention of a former OKANG associate. Risner was often assigned to fly F-86E-10, AF serial no. 51-2824, nicknamed Ohio Mike and bearing a large cartoon rendition of Bugs Bunny as nose art, in which he achieved most of his aerial victories. His first two months of combat saw little contact with MiGs, and although a flight leader, he took a three-day leave to Japan in early August. The day after his arrival, he returned to Korea when he learned that MiGs were operational. Arriving at Kimpo in the middle of the night, he joined his flight which was on alert status. The flight of four F-86 Sabres launched and encountered 14 MiG-15s. In a brief dogfight, Risner shot down one to score his first aerial victory on August 5, 1952. On September 15, Risner's flight escorted F-84 Thunderjet fighter-bombers attacking a chemical plant on the Yalu River near the East China Sea. During their defense of the bombers, Risner's flight overflew the MiG base at Antung Airfield, China. Fighting one MiG at nearly supersonic speeds at ground level, Risner pursued it down a dry riverbed and across low hills to an airfield 35 miles inside China. Scoring numerous hits on the MiG, shooting off its canopy, and setting it on fire, Risner chased it between hangars of the Communist airbase, where he shot it down into parked fighters. On the return flight, Risner's wingman, 1st Lt. Joseph Logan, was struck in his fuel tanks by anti-aircraft fire over Antung. In an effort to help him reach Kimpo, Risner attempted to push Logan's aircraft by having him shut down his engine and inserting the nose of his own jet into the tailpipe of Logan's, an unprecedented and untried maneuver. The object of the maneuver was to push Logan's aircraft to the island of Cho Do off the North Korean coast, where the Air Force maintained a helicopter rescue detachment. Jet fuel and hydraulic fluid spewed out from the damaged Sabre onto Risner's canopy, obscuring his vision, and turbulence kept separating the two jets. Risner was able to re-establish contact and guide the powerless plane out over the sea until fluids threatened to stall his own engine. Near Cho Do, Logan bailed out after calling to Risner, 'I'll see you at the base tonight.' Although Logan came down close to shore and was a strong swimmer, he became entangled in his parachute shrouds and drowned. Risner shut down his own engine in an attempt to save fuel, but eventually his engine flamed out and he glided to a deadstick landing at Kimpo. On September 21, he shot down his fifth MiG, becoming the 20th jet ace. In October 1952 Risner was promoted to major and named operations officer of the 336th FIS. Risner flew 108 missions in Korea and was credited with the destruction of eight MiG-15s, his final victory occurring January 21, 1953. | ![]() ![]() |
Results 1 to 22 of 22.