The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group – From the C.B.I. to the Marianas

© 2010 New England Air Museum. All rights reserved.

B-29 CREWS 794-795TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRONS

468TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP

LINDKE CREW

Capt. Paul Lindke + Pilot 1st Lt. Charles Youmans + Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Milton W. Ramsey + Flight Engineer 2nd Lt. Roy D. Howser + Navigator-Bombardier 2nd Lt. William W. Wilson * Bombardier-Navigator Staff Sgt. Donald L. Christensen Radio Operator Staff Sgt. William R. Hampton + Central fire Control Staff Sgt. Claude V. Tucker + Right Gunner Staff Sgt. Robert W. Frazier Left Gunner Staff Sgt. Albert Rupp Tail Gunner Staff Sgt. Donald V. Wagner + Radar Operator + Deceased Date of last change: May 7th 2007 * Supplied Information # Squadron Command Duties

Capt. Lindke and crew were on (42-4446 an aircraft assigned to the 792nd BS) a photo-reconnaissance mission. The crash occurred on their return to China A-7 on Oct. 20, 1944. Crew members who bailed out safely reported the #1 engine had been feathered. On the final approach the #4 engine caught on fire. The order to bail out was given, and Lt. Wilson (Bombardier), Staff Sgt. Christensen (Radio operator), Staff Sgt. Rupp (Tail gunner) who happen to be riding in front of the aircraft jumped safely through the nose wheel well. Lt. Ramsey (Flight Engineer) left in the same manner and Staff Sgt. Tucker (Right Gunner) left through the rear hatch, but both suffered a similar fate when their parachutes caught fire from the burning engine. All the other crew members were lost in the crash. Cpl. Hastings (Photographer) who had been riding in the front of the aircraft, escaped through the nose wheel well. Lt. William Wilson later joined Major George's crew as a navigator replacement when Norman Watkins returned to the States. Capt. Lindke's aircraft "Blind Date" (42-24429) was received in the squadron on July 3, 1944 and returned to the States on Feb. 23, 1945 with a record of 17 combat missions from India and China and 8 Hump trips. Information on Parrish's and Akins' crew was supplied by Leo E. Konat, 2915 North 48th. Ave., Omaha, NE, 68104, and William W. Wilson, 2820 Golf Links Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89134.

The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group – From the C.B.I. to the Marianas

© 2010 New England Air Museum. All rights reserved.

(Yates Smith collection)

Capt. Paul Lindke’s Crew Photo was probably taken at Salina, KS in late 1943 or early 1944. L-R: Paul Lindke - Pilot Charles Youmans – Co-Pilot Roy Howser – Navigator William Wilson - Bombardier Milton Ramsey – Flight Engineer Donald Christensen William Hampton Claude Tucker R. W. Frazier Albert Rupp