AREA REPORT CONCERNS Communist China North Korea

AGENCY OF ORIGIN - 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

DATE OF REPORT --- Oct 55

SOURCE OF INFORMATION DATE OF INFORMATION - Various Personnel Files and Intel rpts 1 Aug 55

PREPARING OFFICER - John R Curtis, 1st Lt, USAF

EVALUATION - F-2

REFERENCES (Control number, director, previous report, etc., as applicable) BAIR Part 4, 2E, 10.1; FEAF SRI 5-5-5-N

SUBJECT USAF Personnel Possibly Alive in Communist Captivity

SUMMARY (Enter concise summary of report. Give significance in final one-sentence paragraph. List inclosures at lower left. Begin text of report on AF Form (unreadable)

1. This report, prepared by the Escape and Evasion Section, 6004th AISS, is a summary of information collected on USAF personnel "missing in action" during the Korean hostilities.

2. It is emphasized that this report is not, repeat, not official in any respect but merely represents the results of screening various casualty files on "missing" USAF personnel and other intelligence reports and materials made available in the theater to this organization.

3. Of the total "missing in action" USAF personnel, this report lists 137 who may be alive in communist prison camps. The list does include "non-battle" missing personnel.

4. This organization has a continuing project concerned with the collection of new, additional or confirming information about USAF personnel "missing" in the FEAF theater of operation.

SPECIAL HANDLING REQUIRED NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS

The information contained in this document will not be disclosed to foreign for nationals or their representatives.

APPROVED

/S/

Larry O. Zunker, Capt USAF

for Frank L. Dunn

Colonel, USAF

Commander, 6002D AISG

DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR J-2 FEC, 1 cy; AA TOKYO, 1 cy; DI FEAF, 1 cy; PAF, 1 cy; 5th AF, l cy; COMNAVFE, l cy; CAG, 2 cys; G-2 AFFE, 5 cys.

WARNING: This document contains information affecting the national defense of the Untied States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person in prohibited by law. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by other than the United States Air Force Agencies, except by permission of the Director of Intelligence, USAF.

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. - IR-3478-55

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USAF PERSONNEL POSSIBLY ALIVE IN COMMUNIST CAPTIVITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS PARAGRAPHS

Introduction 1-3

Identification of Categories 4

USAF Personnel Possibly Alive 5

INTRODUCTION: (CONF)

1. This report contains a list of 137 "missing-in-action" USAF personnel from the Korean conflict who may possibly be alive, or may have been alive in communist captivity at one time (see para 5 below). It does not include "non-battle missing" personnel. While the report itself adds no new or additional evidence it is believed to be an accurate summary of all available information in this theater, which has been previously submitted to Washington. The list was prepared to establish a basis for further analysis and study of any additional information on detainees that may be received in the future. As previously stated, contained in this report is all pertinent affirmative information that has been available to this project.

2. The names are categorically broken down showing an evaluated disposition of each individual. These evaluations are based on screening of all casualty records available at FEAR and AFFI Headquarters, and analysis of various Intelligence reports (as indicated in the basic report) , which include interrogation of repatriated prisoners of war. The Identifications of remains returned on "Operation Glory" have been tallied from this listing up to and including the 1st of September 1955; no identification of persons named herein has been made.

3. This cannot be considered an official list as it only reflects a summary of records available in this theater, and does not take into consideration current casualty analysis by the Department of Defense, Washington, D.C., or other agencies engaged in such research.

IDENTIFICATION OF CATEGORIES: (CONF)

4. The categories shown behind name in para 5 below are identified as follows:

a. Category 1 - Air Force personnel reported as prisoner-of-war by the Chinese Communists. (No persons listed in this report bear this category since the return of the 15 Communist Chinese detained airmen.)

b. Category 2 - Personnel possibly prisoners-of-war based on information which includes names of individuals concerned, from publications, propaganda broadcasts, Little and Big Switch returnee information.

c. Category 3 - Personnel observed on the ground after bail out or crash landing, as indicated in casualty reports; or individuals associated with intelligence reports of communist captured POWs.

d. Category 4 -. Personnel observed to bail out or reported by radio intentions to bail out but were not actually observed on the ground, as indicated in casualty reports.

e. Category 5 - Possibility exists that some of these personnel may be prisoners. However, as indicated in casualty reports, the majority in this category

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR-3478-55

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may have been killed because of failure to recover individuals bailing out over sea, or lack of time for the entire crew to leave the aircraft prior to crash or explosion. (Primarily B-26 and B-29 crews where several parachutes were seen to leave the aircraft but no definite association to an individual can be made).

Note: Asterisks (*) shown at the front of reports, para 5 below, indicate that the source of the information was not available at this headquarters. The source may possibly be obtained from files at: Director of Military Personnel, Headquarters USAF, Attn: Casualty Branch, Personnel Service Division, Washington 25, D.C.

USAF PERSONNEL POSSIBLY ALIVE:

5. List of USAF personnel possibly alive in communist countries:

ADAMS, John H. -- Category #2, B-29 Missing 10 Jun 52)

lst Lt

AO 2061322

(From: Intel Sum 3565, 13 Jun 52, Hq FEC, Page 7): CHONGJI AREA (XD 7794) on 10/11 Jun 52, enemy fighter aircraft encountered 4 B-29s on their bombing run and breakaway from the target. Enemy aircraft fired air to air rockets during each pass. Two B-29s were missing. The crew members of five B-29 observed one B-29, which was hit by rockets, go down in flames over the target area. The other B-29 was not observed but did give its "Bombs away" call.

(From: BOM COM LTR 21 Jun 52, AG #23659, D/A #10280): The aircraft was. hit by what appeared to be air-to-air rockets. The aircraft exploded in the air over the target. No parachutes were observed.

ADLER, Ernest M.-ategory #4, B-26, (Missing 15 Oct .51)

2nd Lt

AO 2075084

(From: 5th AF, Cite: INR 587, D/I: #35737, AG #52273, 15 Oct 51): The last contact with the aircraft was by radio at 2138 hours, 14 Oct 51, informing NTPS Control that one engine had been hit. An explosion was observed on the ground, believed to be that of the missing aircraft. 1st Lt. William F. Brown, one of the crew of four was Returned to Military Control. He reported that all were alerted to bail out, and believes that he was the last to leave the aircraft.

AHLERS, John P.- Category #5, B-26, (Missing 9 Aug 52)

Capt

AO 713987

(Retained in active file because both of the other two men on the aircraft were Returned to Military Control.)

(From: 3rd Bom Wg, Cite: 3647 PR, AG #H2510, D/I #20739, 9 Aug 52): At 2327/I, 9 Aug 52, the missing aircraft

FROM (Agency) 6004th Air Intel Sv Sq

REPORT NO. IR-3478-55

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contacted the ground controller inbound to target area. Its possible at the time of radio contact was: UTM grid (YB 4070). There is no report of later radio contact.

AKINS, Larry B.- Category #5, B-29 (Missing 7 Apr 51)

S/Sgt

AF 14283976

(From: 307 BW, Cite: 307 BWK 0577, 7 Apr 51): The Aircraft apparently exploded in mid-air without warning at 1040 hours, at coordinates (39051/12501E). Three or four parachuted from the aircraft. 2nd Lt. Shallenberger was apparently the only survivor, Returned to Military Control. the Officer states that he did not see any of the others who parachuted into the water.

ALLEN, Jack V. -Category #2, B-26, (Missing 1 Jul 53)

Capt.

1683A

(From: 3rd Bm Wg Light, Cite: PD 2253 G, 1 Jul 53, AG #0237, D/I 13449): "The Incident was caused by an engine on fire. Reason for the engine being on fire is unknown at this time. Three crew members bailed out and have been Returned to Military Control.. The search is being continued for Capt ALLEN. Coordinates unknown.

(From: TWX RDAG 9-26 and RDAG 9-021, Sep 53): Listed in the NIELSEN-HENDERSON list of USAF personnel known to be in Kaesong awaiting repatriation Other three crew members have been Returned to Military Control.

ANDERSON, Robert E. Category #2 F-84 (Missing 21 May52)

lst Lt

AO 1911386

(From: 5th AF, Cite: INC 591, 21 May 52, D/I 13747, AG #21171: The flight was flying at 50 to 75 ft altitude when the flight leader observed an explosion at (XD 702902), and believes Lt. Anderson flew into small hill. The plane disintegrated upon impact.

(From: AFPMP-12-E-3 704, 15 May 53): Information received from USAF repatriate indicates that Lt. Anderson is a PW.

ANDREWS: Robert B. -Category #2, B-26, (Missing 15 Oct 51)

Capt

AO 813127

(From: 5th AF, Cite: INR 587, 15 Oct 51, D/I 35737, AG #52273): The last contact with the aircraft was by radio at 2138 hours, 14 Oct. 51, informing NTPS control that an engine had been hit. An explosion was observed on the ground, believed to be that of missing aircraft. 1st Lt. William F. Brown, one of the crew of four, was Returned to Military Control. He reported that all were alerted to bail our and believed he was last to lave aircraft.

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REPORT NO. IR-3478-55

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ARMS, John W. -Category #5, T-6 (Missing 5 June 53)

2nd Lt

AO 2225726

(From 6147th Tac Cont GP, Cite: TCPL 2814, 5 June 53, AGBO:, 23834, D/I 114525): On a tactical recon mission, the aircraft was reported to have crash-landed. Ground observers reported one man captured and one man trying to evade but identification could not be establish.

ASHLEY, Gilbert L. Jr. Category #2, B-29A, (Missing 29 Jan 53)

lst Lt

AO 666215

(From: D/1- Memo to G-2 AFFE, 17 Feb 53, Subj: Enemy Air Activity): Between 15225/1 and 2259/I, two B-29s at 19,000 and 21,260 ft altitude observed what appeared to be a signal at (YC 4010), consisting of three lights placed in a row at an undetermined distance from each other. There was no distinguishable code, but these lights flashing did appear to the crew as if a signal was intended. At 152300/I, another B-29 at 22,700 ft observed what appeared to be dots and dashes flashing at (YB 2393). These appeared to be the same lights as reported by the other two B-29s.

(From.- Hq 5th AF Office of D/I, 7 Aug 53, Subj: Attempted Rescue of Downed Airmen) : A rescue was attempted on 24 May 53, using the snatch pick-up procedure. (Green Dragon Rescue Operation). Voice radio (URC-4) was used with lst Lt Ashley directing the pilot to the ground station. (The pilot reported that the voice was definitely that of the American who had previously been identified as Lt Ashley). Upon approaching the pick-up site, the aircraft was fired upon by machine guns, from the pick-up area as well as from the mountain sides, surrounding the area, sustaining damage from small arms fire. Ashley and four crew members, (Turner, Olsen, Shaddick, and Ishida) were known to be alive in Communist hands as of the close of the Korean conflict, Jul 53.

AUSTIN, Arthur M. -- Category #4, B-26, (Missing 27 Apr 51)

Capt

AO 1289023

(From: 5th AF, Cite: INS 452, 28 Apr 51): The aircraft Departed Iwakuni AB at 1804 hours, on a combat mission over Korea and did not return. The last radio contact was at 1920 hours 26 Apr 51, inbound to the target area.

(From: 500 MISG File No. #010306, 1953): AUSTIN "MAX" appears as a detained PW, possibly in PW Camp #3, on list of detained PWs.