PORTLAND, Ore. -- On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. armed
forces. For a given military unit, the roster of those so honored is defined by its historical
record.
In the 142nd Wing, there are three historical components from which we derive the names of
our honored. Although we have been identified 110 people who are listed below, ongoing
research may yield additional names to be added to the roster for us to remember.
SQUADRON
First is the senior unit of the Oregon Air National Guard, the 123rd Fighter Squadron. Starting
out as Oregon’s first military aviation unit in 1941, the 123rd Observation Squadron was
redesignated as the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron in 1943, and deployed
overseas to the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations for combat operations in 1944. The
squadron returned to the U.S. in 1945, and was redesignated as the 123rd Fighter Squadron in
1946. Despite the redesignations, by lineage and honors these are the same unit so the
honored dead from all designations should be remembered on this day.
From unit records, we assembled this list of the honored fallen from the squadron. Among
them are six men who remain missing in action. The Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action
Accounting Agency (DPAA) is charged with finding and accounting for them, an ongoing task.
123rd Observation Squadron, Flying and Surface - 6
Binder, Rudy J., 1st Lt., 123rd Observation Squadron, killed on February 20, 1942 when the O-
49 Vigilant he was flying as observer in, with Lt.. Charles P. Clark as pilot, crashed just after
takeoff for a coastal patrol from the Moon Island Airport near Hoquiam, Washington. He was
buried at the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Clark, Charles P., 1st Lt., 123rd Observation Squadron, killed on February 20, 1942 when the O-
49 Vigilant he was flying with observer Lt.. Rudy J. Binder crashed just after takeoff for a coastal
patrol from the Moon Island Airport near Hoquiam, Washington. He was buried at the
Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona. Lt. Clark was 27 years old.
Green, Bruce C., M/Sgt., Charter member of the 123rd Observation Squadron, subsequently
assigned 32nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS). Missing in Action (MIA) on April
20, 1944 aboard the transport ship SS Paul Hamilton in Mediterranean Sea off Algeria. He is
remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage,
Tunisia, and on a memorial stone at the Lewisville Cemetery in Battleground, Washington.
2
M/Sgt. Green was awarded the Purple Heart. He was 27 years old. See “A Somber Thursday,
20 April 1944,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/864386/a-
somber-thursday-20-april-1944/
Mayer, Leonard W., S/Sgt., Charter member of the 123rd Observation Squadron, subsequently
assigned 32nd PRS. MIA on April 20, 1944 aboard the transport ship SS Paul Hamilton in
Mediterranean Sea off Algeria. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the North
Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. S/Sgt. Mayer was awarded the Purple Heart.
He was 25 years old.
Miller, Albert R., T/Sgt., Charter member of the 123rd Observation Squadron, subsequently
assigned 32nd PRS. MIA on April 20, 1944 aboard the transport ship SS Paul Hamilton in
Mediterranean Sea off Algeria. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the North
Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. T/Sgt. Miller was awarded the Purple Heart. He
was 28 years old.
Williams, Thad C., 1st Lt., Charter member of the 123rd Observation Squadron. Became a pilot
in the 410th Bomb Group (Light (L)), 646th Bomb Squadron (L). Killed on March 13, 1945 flying
Douglas A-20J-15 Havoc attack bomber, serial number 43-21740, when his aircraft was hit by
anti-aircraft fire on the bomb run against Rhein-Main Airfield south of Frankfurt-am-Main.
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 13167. He was buried at the Riverview Cemetery at 8421 SW
Macadam Ave in Portland. Lt. Williams was 27 years old. See “Remembering Thad C.
Williams,” at:
https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/864337/remembering-thad-c-
williams/
35th Photo Recon Squadron, Flying and Surface - 7
Asteriou, Hillie N., 1st Lt., 35th PRS. Killed on September 15, 1945 during a local Lockheed F-5E
Photo Lightning flight at Shuangliu, China.
Behrens, Estal W., 1st Lt., 35th PRS. Killed on February 2, 1945 during a photo recon mission
flying F-5E serial number 43-28583. He is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the
Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, at Plot O, Grave 16. Lt. Behrens was 27 years old.
Berringer, Merroll J., 1st Lt., 35th PRS. MIA on November 21, 1944 during a photo recon
mission flying F-5E-2 serial number 44-23237 from Flight “H” at Suichuan (MACR 10095). He is
remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Republic
of the Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Deen, William W. III, Capt., 35th PRS. He was killed August 1, 1945 flying F-5E-2 serial number
43-28301 during an administrative flight between Nanning and Chanyi (MACR 14849). He is
buried at the Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Austin, Texas, at Plot: 1-365-5. Capt. Deen was
24 years old.
3
French, Phillip L., 1st Lt., 35th PRS. MIA August 31, 1945 during an administrative flight flying F-
5E-2 serial number 43-28397 between Chanyi and Chihkiang (MACR 14836). He is remembered
on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Republic of the
Philippines. Lt. French was awarded the Air Medal.
McKinney, Franklin J., 1st Lt., 35th PRS. MIA November 5, 1944 on a photo recon mission flying
F-5E-2 serial number 43-28615 from Flight “G” at Yunnan-yi (MACR 10057). He is remembered
on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Republic of the
Philippines. Lt. McKinney was awarded the Purple Heart.
Price, Stanley C., F/O, 35th PRS. Died of diphtheria on October 26, 1945 aboard ship seven days
out of Calcutta during the squadron’s return home. He is buried at the Lakeside Cemetery,
Muskegon, Michigan, USA, at Plot: 76-2. F/O Price was 25 years old.
WING
Next is the 142nd Wing itself, which began service in July of 1943 as the 371st Fighter Group,
and deployed overseas for combat with the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter in the European Theater
of Operations in early 1944. Three fighter squadrons were assigned to the group, the 404th
(404FS), 405th (405FS) and 406th (406FS). Like the 123rd/35th squadron, the 371st FG
returned to the U.S. in 1945; in 1946 it was redesignated as the 142nd Fighter Group and
allotted to the Oregon National Guard. Since then it was redesignated as a wing.
From unit records, we assembled the following list of the honored dead from the group. There
are five men from the group who remain missing in action, with no grave. The Defense
POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is charged with finding and accounting for them, an
ongoing task.
371st Fighter Group, Flying and Ground - 55
DOWNC = Died Of Wounds, Non-Combat
DOWRIA = Died Of Wounds Received In Action
KBEA = Killed By Enemy Action, non-aerial
KIA = Killed In Action
KIFA = Killed In Flying Accident
KIGA = Killed In Ground Accident
MIA = Missing In Action
Allen, Macey E., Cpl., 404FS, from Huntsville, Alabama. KBEA on March 29, 1945, in a fort near
Metz, France. He was buried at the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, at Plot G,
8366G. Cpl. Allen was 20 years old.
4
Angst, Theodore R., 2nd Lt., 405FS, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. KIFA, April 18, 1945, near
Darmstadt, Germany. He was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, at Block 4-n, Section A, Row 139-n, Grave 4. He was 22 years old.
Bailey, John E., 2nd Lt., 404FS, from Whitefield, New Hampshire. KIA, July 30, 1944, over France.
He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, at Section 34, Site 1609.
He was awarded the Purple Heart. Lt. Bailey was 21 years old.
Bales, William T., Jr., Maj., 371FG Headquarters (HQ), from Chattanooga, Tennessee. KIA, April
13, 1945, in Germany. He was buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium,
at Plot D, Row 8, Grave 6. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with
Oak Leaf Cluster. Maj. Bales was 29 years old. See “The Mysterious Fate of William T. “Shorty”
Bales, Jr.,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2998138/the-
mysterious-fate-of-william-t-shorty-bales-jr/
Banks, Glenn O., 1st Lt., 404FS, from Ponea, Oklahoma. KIA, July 17, 1944, near Quettou,
France.
Booth, Robert A., 1st Lt., 405FS, from Oakville, Connecticut. KIA, October 27, 1944, on food
drop mission to the “Lost Battalion” near St. Die, in P-47D 42-76477. He was buried at the
Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France, at Plot B, Row 12, Grave 23. He was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.
Boyle, Charles J. Jr., Flight Officer (F/O), 404FS, Worchester, Massachusetts. KIA, February 27,
1945, near Metz, France. He was buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery, in Luxembourg
City, Luxembourg, at Plot E, Row 3, Grave 23. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air
Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Bridges, Doctor Samuel Boyce, Jr., 1st Lt., 406FS, from Henrietta, North Carolina. KIA, March 23,
1945, near Germersheim, Germany. He was buried at the Cliffside Cemetery, in Cliffside, North
Carolina.
Bunting, Joseph A., 1st Lt., 405FS, from St. Petersburg, Florida. KIA, April 4, 1945, over Germany.
His body was found in 1949; he was buried in the St. Augustine National Cemetery, Saint
Augustine, Florida.
Calish, Sumner J., 2nd Lt., 406FS, from Brighton, Massachusetts. KIA, August 24, 1944, over
France. He was buried in the Temple Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park in West Roxbury,
Massachusetts at Lot 79, Grave 1. He was 23 years old.
Chandler, Fred T., Sgt., 404FS,from Slater, South Carolina. KBEA, March 29, 1945, in fort near
Metz, France. He was buried at the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, at Plot G,
8366G.
Clark, Bradley B., 2nd Lt., 406FS, from Mt. Vernon, New York. KIA, December 23, 1944, at
Tantonville, France, on return from a combat mission. He was buried in the Epinal American
5
Cemetery, at Epinal, France, at Plot B, Row 24, Grave 9. He was awarded the Purple Heart and
the Air Medal.
Daley, William J. Jr., Lt. Col., Deputy Commander, 371FG, from Amarillo, Texas. KIFA September
10, 1944 a day after a taxiing accident at Coulommiers, France. He was buried at the Epinal
American Cemetery, Epinal, France, at Plot B, Row 25, Grave 65. A veteran of No. 121 (Eagle)
Squadron in the Royal Air Force earlier in the war, he transferred to the USAAF in 1942 and
commanded the 335th Fighter Squadron before joining the 371FG. He was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with eight Oak
Leaf Clusters, and the British Distinguished Flying Cross. Lt. Col. Daley was 24 years old.
Delaney, Sanders E., Lt. Col., 406FS, from Litchfield, Illinois. KIFA, June 5, 1945, in L-5 crash near
Nuremburg, Germany. He was buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, at
Plot E, Row 13, Grave 14. Lt. Col. Delaney was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying
Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal.
Feit, Herbert E., PFC, 406FS, from New York, New York. Missing April 1, 1945, near Metz,
France. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Lorraine American Cemetery, St.
Avold, France.
Fisher, Walter K., Capt., 404FS, from Westerville, Ohio. KIA April 7, 1945, over Germany.
Postwar determined dead, he was buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware, Ohio.
Fletcher, Charles R., 2nd Lt., 404FS, from Holton, Kansas. KIA, April 7, 1945, during engagement
with enemy aircraft over Germany. He was buried at the Holton Cemetery, in Holton, Kansas, in
Section K.
Franklin, Elkin L., Capt., 404FS, from St. Louis, Missouri. KIA, April 20, 1944, over Italy. Postwar
Determined Dead. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at Section 1, Site
602.
Goodman, George M., S/Sgt., 406FS, born in Coquille, Oregon. He died in the line of duty,
August 24, 1944, near LaCambe, France. He was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery in
Colleville-sur-Mer, France, at Plot I, Row 26, Grave 11. S/Sgt. Goodman was 29 years old.
Gorman, William, F/O, 405FS, from Brooklyn, New York. MIA, August 7, 1944, over St. Nazaire,
France. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Brittany American Cemetery in
St. James, France. He was awarded the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters. See “He was
“…close to my wing when flak burst between us…” - The last mission of P-47 pilot William
Gorman,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2779640/he-was-
close-to-my-wing-when-flak-burst-between-us-the-last-mission-of-p-47-pil/
Gray, Rockford V., Maj., 371FG HQ, from Dallas, Texas. KIA, September 4, 1944, at St. Mere
Eglise, France, while returning from a combat mission. He was buried at Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. He was credited with 6.5 aerial victories while flying combat with
6
three different P-47 groups in the European theater, was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with 32 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Maj. Gray was 30 years old.
Harris, Christo G., 2nd Lt., 404FS, from Los Angeles, California. KIA, March 16, 1945, over
Germany. He was buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, in Luxembourg City,
Luxembourg, at Plot D Row 5 Grave 9. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal
with five Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Harris was 24 years old.
Hayes, Edward J., 1st Lt., 405FS, from Independence, Kentucky. KIA, November 1, 1944, over
eastern France. He was buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, in St. Avold, France, at Plot
B, Row 17, Grave 54. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and the
Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Hayes was 26 years old.
Hess, Charles E., 2nd Lt., 405FS, from Mt. Vernon, New York. KIA on December 22, 1944, over
Germany. He was buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, in Flushing, New York at Block LIN, Lot
228, Grave 1a. Lt. Hess was 20 years old.
Hohl, Harry W., Jr., Capt., 404FS, from New Brighton, Pennsylvania. KIA, January 2, 1945, over
eastern France.
Holm, Wayne L., 2nd Lt., 405FS, from Portland, Oregon. KIA January 2, 1945, over Germany –
Postwar Determined Dead. Lt. Holm was buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold,
France, at Plot D, Row 7, Grave 14. He was awarded the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Lt. Holm was 22 years old.
Humphreys, Edwin S. Jr, F/O, 404FS, from Chicago, Illinois. MIA, June 8, 1944, over France –
Postwar Determined Dead. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge
American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. F/O Humphreys was awarded the Purple Heart and
the Air Medal.
Jorgenson, William, J. Jr., 2nd Lt., 405FS, from Waterloo, Iowa. KIA, August 25, 1944, near
Troyes, France. He was buried at the Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France, at Plot A, Row
28, Grave 61. He was awarded the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Jorgenson was 21
years old.
Lamb, William R., 1st Lt., 404FS, from Chateaugay, New York. KIFA, January 14, 1945, after
returning from a combat mission with battle damage near Epinal, France. He was buried at the
Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France, at Plot B, Row 40, Grave 17. He was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Lamb was
21 years old.
Leach Ernest W., 1st Lt., 405FS, from Dennisport, Massachusetts. KIA, August 9, 1944, over
France. He was buried in the Brittany American Cemetery in St. James, France, at Plot D, Row
17, Grave 9. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
7
Leonard, John W., Lt. Col., 405FS, from St. Petersburg, Florida. DOWRIA, January 5, 1945, over
Germany. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery at Section 1, Site 304-C. He was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart and the Air
Medal with 21 Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Col. Leonard was 24 years old.
McWilliams, Jack T., 1st Lt., 405FS, from Somers, Montana. KIA, January 14, 1945, over
Germany. Postwar Determined Dead. Found circa 1952. He was buried in the Veterans section
of the Conrad Memorial Cemetery near Kalispell, Montana. He was awarded the Air Medal
with five Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. McWilliams was 22 years old.
Mezzetti, Robert A., 2nd Lt., 405FS, from San Antonio, Texas. KIA, August 2, 1944, over France.
He was buried at the Brittany American Cemetery in St. James, France at Plot K, Row 9, Grave 9.
He was awarded the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Mezzetti was 21 years old.
Motherway, John W., 2nd Lt., 406FS, from Springfield, Massachusetts. KIA, March 1, 1945, over
Germany. Postwar determined dead, he is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre,
Belgium, at Plot B, Row 27, Grave 19. Lt. Motherway was awarded the Purple Heart.
Mueller, William J., Capt., 404FS, from Robbinsdale, Minnesota. KIA, July 31, 1944, at Mortain,
France. He was buried at Brooklyn-Crystal Cemetery, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota at Lot 143A,
Grave 11. He had completed 78 missions and received the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf
Clusters. Capt. Mueller was 24 years old.
Murphy, Chester M., Jr., 2nd Lt., 404FS from Landis, North Carolina. DOWNC, March 4, 1945, at
Metz, France. He is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, in Luxembourg City,
Luxembourg, at Plot G, Row 6, Grave 1.
Murphy, John F., 2nd Lt., 404FS, from Bonita Springs, Florida. DOWNC, March 4, 1945, at Metz,
France. He was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Servia, Indiana. Lt. Murphy was 22 years
old.
Nerney, Frederick W., 2nd Lt., 406FS, from Attleboro, Massachusetts. KIA, March 19, 1945,
over Rhine Palatinate, Germany. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold,
France, at Plot A, Row 29, Grave 22. Lt. Nerney was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air
Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Pieck, George D., Capt., 404FS, from Clarksdale, Mississippi. MIA, August 10, 1944, over France.
He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Brittany American Cemetery, St. James,
France. Capt. Pieck was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Pollingue, Alvin M., 2nd Lt., 405FS, born in Eunice, Louisiana. KIA, July 17, 1944, while strafing a
train in France. He is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery, St. James, France, at Plot J,
Row 6, Grave 15. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf
Clusters. Lt. Pollingue was 24 years old.
8
Rector, Gerry S., 2nd Lt., 405FS, born in Carrizo Springs, Texas. KIA on April 4, 1945, over
Germany. He was buried at the Laredo City Cemetery, in Laredo, Texas, at BL-36 Section 3, Row
5, Space 5. Lt. Rector was 22 years old.
Salmi, Uno, Capt., 406FS, from Lake Charles, Louisiana. MIA, June 16, 1944, near St. Lo, France.
He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery,
Cambridge, England. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf
Clusters.
Sample, Harry M., Jr., Capt., 404FS, from Houston, Texas. KIFA, October 29, 1944, one mile SE
of Le Lox, France, while on local flight in P-47D 42-76366. He was buried at the Fort Sam
Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, at Section N, Site 130. Capt. Sample was 27
years old.
Sanderson, Eugene E., 2nd Lt., 405FS. KIFA, April 12, 1944, while on an engineering test hop at
Bisterne Airfield, England. He was buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge,
England, at Plot F, Row 1, Grave 47.
Shepard, John H., 1st Lt., 406FS, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. KIA, June 18, 1944, near St.
Saveur, France. He was buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer,
France, at Plot E, Row 28, Grave 38. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with
four Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Shepard was 23 years old.
Sparks, Charles P., 1st Lt., 406FS, from Swayzee, Indiana. KIA, October 15, 1944, in engagement
with enemy aircraft near Strasbourg, France during his 90th combat mission. He was buried at
the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, at Plot C, Row 14, Grave 32. He was
awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Lt.. Sparks was 22 years old.
Spicer, Harold H., 1st Lt., 405FS, from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, entered service from
Pennsylvania. KIA on March 18, 1945, near Metz Airdrome, on return from a combat mission
over Germany. He was buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City,
Luxembourg, at Plot H, Row 14, Grave 67. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal
with Oak Leaf Cluster. Lt. Spicer was 27 years old.
Springer, George W., III, 2nd Lt., 406FS, from Seneca, Kansas. KIA, October 17, 1944, over
Germany. He was buried in St. Peter and Paul’s Cemetery in Seneca, Kansas, at Section 1, Lot
151, Space 1. Lt. Springer was 21 years old.
Strahlendorf, Harry W., 1st Lt., 404FS, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. KIA, June 24, 1944, over
Normandy. He was buried at the Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was
awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Strahlendorf was
28 years old.
9
Trevitt, Roger P., 1st Lt., 371FG HQ, died shortly after the war on July 9, 1945. He was buried in
Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, Draguignan, France at Block B, Row 10, Grave 8.
Unruh, Victor L., 2nd Lt., 406FS, from Pawnee Rock, Kansas. KIA, June 21, 1944, while returning
from escort mission to Berlin, Germany. He was buried at Great Bend Cemetery in Great Bend,
Kansas, in Section K. Lt. Unruh was 22 years old.
Voss, John N., Sgt., 406FS. KIGA, September 10, 1944, in a convoy motor accident near St.
Dizier, France. He is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France, at Plot A, Row 20,
Grave 68. Sgt. Voss was 35 years old.
Webster, Spencer A., T/Sgt., 406FS. KIGA, September 10, 1944, in a convoy motor accident
near St. Dizier, France. He is buried at the Long Island National Cemetery, in Farmingdale, New
York, at Plot J, 16497. T/Sgt. Webster was 29 years old.
Weller, John G., 2nd Lt.., 406FS, from Chicago, Illinois. KIA on August 9, 1944, over France. He
is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery in St. James, France, at Plot P, Row 1, Grave 17. He
was awarded the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Weller was 27 years old.
Wieczorek, Henry, 1st Lt., 406FS, from Elyria, Ohio. KIA, January 22, 1945, in eastern France.
He is buried in the Saint Mary Cemetery, in Elyria, Ohio at Section 2, Lot 178, Grave 2. Lt.
Wieczorek was 23 years old.
A sizeable number, more than half (31) of our 371st Fighter Group honored dead and missing
are either buried or remembered overseas in several American Battle Monuments Commission
(ABMC) cemeteries in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Eighteen airmen
(16 officers, 2 enlisted) are buried at five different ABMC cemeteries in France (Brittany, Epinal,
Lorraine, Normandy and Rhone). Four more men (3 officers, 1 enlisted) are remembered on
the Tablets of the Missing at two ABMC cemeteries in France (Brittany and Lorraine).
Of note, there are a number of French citizens who have made significant private efforts to
establish individual memorials for 371st Fighter Group members killed in action at the location
of their losses; here are those which we are aware of:
In the Vosges Mountains of eastern France, in the small town of Le Val d’Ajol, there is a stone
memorial to 1st Lt. Robert A. Booth who was killed during a mission to support the “Lost
Battalion” of World War II on October 27, 1944.
There is a bronze plaque memorial to 2nd Lt. Bradley B. Clark (the older brother and only sibling
of American Bandstand’s Dick Clark) in Omelmont, France honoring his ultimate sacrifice on
December 23, 1944. There is also a display about Lt.. Clark at the Espace de Memoire Lorraine,
a museum dedicated to the memory of those who fought from 1939 to 1945 in the region. This
museum also has some artifacts from the P-47 last flown by Capt. William R. Lamb on his fateful
mission of January 14, 1945.
10
A memorial plaque marks the crash site of 1st Lt. Henry Wieczorek at the crash site of his P-47
in the Alsace region of France.
At the time of this writing, there are two other memorial efforts by French citizens to honor the
service and sacrifice of 1st Lt. Jack T. McWilliams and 1st Lt. Robert A. Mezzetti.
We are confident that this list represents the fallen whom should be remembered, but
historical research is ongoing. For example, on February 5, 1945, in the aftermath of the Battle
of the Bulge, the US Army’s largest battle of World War II, the 371st Fighter Group was tasked
to provide 18 enlisted men for transfer to the Infantry to help replenish the depleted ranks of
the foot soldiers. At this time we only know the names of five of the 18 men; it’s possible that
some of these 18 men may have made the ultimate sacrifice in a ground combat role, but we
don’t have a definitive answer yet.
Oregon Air National Guard - Post-World War II
In 1946, the 123rd Fighter Squadron and the 142nd Fighter Group came together to form the
operational nucleus of the air component of the Oregon National Guard, which became the
Oregon Air National Guard in 1947. Although most post-war losses were in the conduct of
flying operations, there are also ground losses which could be considered as in the line of duty.
Post-World War II, Flying - 18
Baker, Mark A., 1st Lt., 123rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS), was killed on January 3, 1989,
during air combat training some 35 miles off Tillamook Bay on the Oregon coast as Weapons
System Operator in McDonnell Douglas F-4C-21-MC Phantom II, serial number 63-7676. He
was buried at Skyline Memorial Gardens, Portland, Oregon in the Garden of the Apostles plot.
Lt.. Baker was 30 years old. See “Pacific Rescue, Pacific Loss,” at:
https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1851034/pacific-rescue-pacific-
loss/
Brose, Carl L. Capt., 123rd Fighter Squadron (FS), a World War II combat veteran in the P-47
Thunderbolt with 110 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations. On Valentine’s
Day in 1951, he was killed in a landing accident at 9:30 a.m. during final approach to Runway 34
at Nellis. He was flying F-51D-25-NA serial number 44-72972. He was buried in Lincoln
Memorial Park, Portland, Oregon, in the Woodlawn Section. Capt. Brose was 28 years old. See
“Memorial Day 2021 – Remembering a Rough Transition,” at:
https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2639591/memorial-day-2021-
remembering-a-rough-transition/
Clark, Gerald O., Lt. Col., 123FIS. A Vietnam War veteran, he was killed on September 22, 1978
at Buckley Field, Colorado, during a cross-country flight from Portland to Tyndall AFB, Florida as
Weapons System Operator in McDonnell F-101F-91-MC Voodoo, serial number 57-0312. He
11
was buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon in Section R, Site 1228. Lt. Col.
Clark was 43 years old.
Haley, John J., Capt., 123FS and World War II veteran, was killed during landing at Portland on
March 19, 1950, in North American F-51D-25-NT Mustang, serial number 45-11346. He was
buried on Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Utah, at Englewood 70-2-E plot. Capt.
Haley was 29 years old.
Jarboe, Merle, M., Maj., 123FIS A Flight Commander, was killed at Portland Air Force Base,
Oregon, September 9, 1961, during a training exercise with a USAF Kaman H-43 rescue
helicopter. He was buried in Skyline Memorial Gardens, Portland, Oregon. Maj. Jarboe was 37
years old.
Kominoth, John, G., 2nd Lt., 123FIS, was killed June 25, 1956, during takeoff as radar observer in
F-94B as during annual summer field training at Gowen Field, Idaho He was buried at Sunset
Heights Memorial Gardens, Tillamook, Oregon, in the Garden of Devotion, Lot 45, Grave 3. Lt.
Kominoth was 27 years old.
Long, James P., 1st Lt., 123FIS, a veteran of World War II and Korea, was killed on January 9,
1959, after takeoff from Portland when the aircraft came down on Prune Hill, near Camas,
Washington as radar observer in Northrop F-89H-1-NO Scorpion, serial number 54-274. He was
buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon at Section H, Site 1889. Lt. Long was
30 years old.
McCorkel, Alex, Capt., Base Detachment Commander in charge of full-time “caretaker” Oregon
Air Guardsmen, was killed on April 9, 1948 while flying A-26B-40-DL, serial number 41-39526, in
adverse weather as the aircraft returned to Portland from McChord AFB, Washington. Capt.
McCorkel was 26 years old. See “Springtime Tears: Remembering the Oregon Air National
Guard’s first postwar losses,” at:
https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/438243/springtime-tears-
remembering-the-oregon-air-national-guards-first-postwar-losses/
Parks, Wallace L., Capt., 123FIS, a World War II and Korean War veteran of 100 combat
missions, was killed on June 25, 1956, during takeoff at Gowen Field, Idaho during annual
summer field training as pilot in Lockheed F-94B-1-LO serial number 50-818. He was buried at
Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, in Section G, Site 2070. Capt. Parks was 34
years old.
Peglow, Steve, Capt., 123FIS, was killed on September 22, 1978 at Buckley Field, Colorado,
during a cross-country flight from Portland to Tyndall AFB, Florida as pilot in McDonnell F-101F-
91-MC Voodoo, serial number 57-0312.
Powell, Jerry W., 1st Lt., 123FIS, was killed on January 9, 1959, after takeoff from Portland when
the aircraft came down on Prune Hill, near Camas, Washington as pilot of Northrop F-89H-1-NO
12
Scorpion, serial number 54-274. He was buried at Burns Cemetery, Burns, Oregon at Section
20, Block 172, Lot 6. Lt. Powell was 28 years old.
Price, Richard D., 1st Lt., 123FS, was killed on April 5, 1951 when his North American F-51D-30-
NT Mustang, serial number 45-11600, crashed in Vancouver Lake, two miles west of Vancouver,
Washington. He was buried in Willamette National Cemetery in Section A, Site 3769. Lt. Price
was 22 years old.
Seitz, David L., Capt., 123FIS, killed 20 December 1972 during a night training exercise in
McDonnell Douglas F-101B-110-MC, serial number 58-0334. He was buried at Belcrest
Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon, at Block 18, Section 82, Lot 1. Capt. Seitz was 30 years old.
See “Remembering Captain David L. Seitz,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-
Display/Article/3256551/remembering-Capt.ain-david-l-seitz/
Shaylor, John, M/Sgt., Charter member of the 123rd Observation Squadron, full-time Caretaker,
was killed on April 9, 1948 while flying A-26B-40-DL, serial number 41-39526, in adverse
weather as the aircraft returned to Portland from McChord AFB, Washington. M/Sgt. Shaylor
was 30 years old.
Taggart, Paul S., 1st Lt., 123FS, killed in a landing accident on 6 March 1951 at Portland AFB, in
the squadron’s F-51D-25-NA serial number 44-73593. Buried in the Greenwich addition to the
Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia at Lot 13, Block G, Section 11.
Lt. Taggart was 27 years old.
Tofte, Jack T., PFC, 142nd Fighter Group, 1810th Engineering Company, was killed on April 9,
1948 while flying A-26B-40-DL, serial number 41-39526, in adverse weather as the aircraft
returned to Portland from McChord AFB, Washington. He was buried in River View Cemetery in
Portland, Oregon, as Section 122, Lot 163, Grave 2. PFC Tofte was 18 years old.
White, Taylor, C., Jr., Capt., 123FIS, a Korean war veteran of 100 combat missions, was killed
during takeoff on May 5, 1952, in North American F-51D-25-NA Mustang, serial number 44-
73768. He was
Young, Gregory D., Maj., 123FS, killed 26 June 2007, killed during an air combat training mission
in McDonnell Douglas F-15A-13-MC Eagle, serial number 75-0040, off Arch Cape on the Oregon
coast. He was buried in Skyline Memorial Gardens, Portland, Oregon. Maj. Young was 34 years
old. See “Portland Air National Guard Base pays tribute to fallen Redhawks with street
dedication,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article/1298453/portland-air-national-
guard-base-pays-tribute-to-fallen-redhawk-with-street-ded/
These 18 men lost in post-WWII flying accidents from 1948 to 2007 are remembered on the
stone tablet at the Memorial Park on Portland ANG Base. See “The Oregon Air National Guard
Memorial Park,” at:
https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/864383/the-oregon-air-
national-guard-memorial-park/
13
Post-World War II, Ground - 2
Galash, Douglas R., MSgt., 142nd Fighter Wing Chaplain staff. Chaplain’s assistant and 17-year
veteran of the Oregon ANG, he completed the unit’s annual fitness run on base on June 9,
1996. A few minutes later, he suddenly fell to the pavement from a heart attack and
subsequently passed away. MSgt. Galash was 43 years old.
Stark, Jill L. SrA, 142nd Resource Management Squadron. An admin technician, she had just
completed her duty day on January 28, 1991 and was riding home on her bicycle when she was
struck by a truck and died. SrA Stark was 22 years old.
BASE
Last but not least is Portland Air National Guard Base, which was established in March, 1941 as
Portland Army Air Base. It served as base of assignment for a variety of air units through World
War II, and in 1946, the 142nd Fighter Group and 123rd Fighter Squadron made the base their
home. After a period of active duty use as Portland Air Force Base, in 1968, the Oregon Air
National Guard assumed responsibility for the installation and the 142nd the primary operating
unit.
There are Airmen associated with units based at Portland ANG Base who were lost in service as
well and ought to be remembered. They served in active duty and Air Force Reserve units over
the years, and we have an ongoing project to identify these personnel. The names date back to
World War II, and the following is a partial list of what is likely a longer list of the base’s fallen:
World War II - 3
Crew of Lt. William S. Southern, 75th Bomb Squadron, 42nd Bomb Group, were aboard a
Lockheed A-29-LO Hudson bomber, serial number 41-23323, when the aircraft was forced
down by mechanical difficulty while on patrol over Pacific Ocean on November 20, 1942. The
aircraft ditched off Seaside, on the northern Oregon coast and three of five crewmen were lost.
See “Remembering the Southern crew on Memorial Day 2015,” at:
https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/864356/remembering-the-
southern-crew-on-memorial-day-2015/
Kline, Leroy, 2nd Lt., aircraft navigator, lost at sea.
Pierce, Robert E., Sgt., gunner, was buried at Hartsoe Cemetery in Marmaduke, Arkansas. Sgt.
Pierce was 21 years old.
Povodnik, Albert, Sgt., radioman, was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.
Sgt. Povodnik was 27 years old.
Cold War - 5
14
Anderson, Donald L., Capt., 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 337th Fighter Group, was on a
local training sortie on November 20, 1964 when he experienced an engine failure in Convair F-
102A-80-CO Delta Dagger interceptor, serial number 56-1458. He ensured he was in a clear
area before he successfully ejected from his aircraft near Dundee, Oregon, but was killed after
he came down in the Willamette River when his parachute caught on an underwater obstacle.
He was buried at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa at Block 38, Section B, Lot 259. Capt.
Anderson was 32 years old.
Garmany, Philip H., Capt., 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 337th Fighter Group, was killed
during a landing accident at Portland on September 21, 1963 while flying Convair F-102A-75-CO
Delta Dagger, serial number 56-1234. He was buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery,
Chattanooga, Tennessee at Plot U, 98 WS. Capt. Garmany was 32 years old.
Kennedy, James A., Jr., 2nd Lt., 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 503rd Air Defense Group,
was killed on January 26, 1954 as pilot of Lockheed F-94A-5-LO, serial number 49-2584.
Witnesses on the ground said the pilot apparently maneuvered the plane into a wooded area to
avoid hitting houses on the ground. He was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery and Mausoleum in
Henrico Country, Virginia. Lt. Kennedy was 22 years old.
Quigley, John R., Capt., 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 337th Fighter Group and a Korean
War veteran, was killed in a takeoff accident while flying a Convair F-102A Delta Dagger
interceptor at Portland on October 22, 1964. He was buried at Seaside Memorial Park, Corpus
Christi, Texas, in Section S - Lord’s Supper. Capt. Quigley was 34 years old.
Reid, James, E., 2nd Lt., 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 503rd Air Defense Group, was
killed on January 26, 1954 as radar observer aboard Lockheed F-94A-5-LO, serial number 49-
2584. He was buried at Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Illinois in Hillcrest,
Section E, Lot 06048. Lt. Reid was 23 years old.
Post-Cold War - 10
Crew of King 56, USAF Reserve 304th Rescue Squadron Lockheed HC-130P Hercules, serial
number 64-14856, lost on night training mission over the Pacific Ocean forty miles off Cape
Mendocino, California, on November 22, 1996. Ten of 11 crewmembers perished at sea. See
“Portland reservists remember King 56 crew,” at: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-
Display/Article/129043/portland-reservists-remember-king-56-crew/
Ferrarini, Brant G., Capt.
Forrest, Marvin H., SSgt.
Garner, Ronald E., Jr., SSgt.
Johnson, James R., SSgt.
Keyes, John W., Lt. Col.
15
Leonard, Jonathon R., SSgt.
McAuley, David W., TSgt.
Roberts, Robert J., SMSgt.
Schott, Robert P., Capt.
Wellnitz, Kirk A., Capt.
Related Losses
Some of the personnel formerly associated with Oregon’s air units continued on in service to
the nation in other flying units and met their fates in war and in peace. We remember four
more who gave the ultimate sacrifice:
Allen, Merlin R., 1st Lt., 16th Combat Camera Unit. Lt. Allen of the 35th PRS was transferred to
the 16th Combat Camera Unit in China and was on a psychological operations mission dropping
leaflets over enemy-held territory when the C-47 transport aircraft he was aboard came under
enemy fire. Lt. Allen parachuted and was captured by the Japanese, but was later inadvertently
wounded in an air attack on the train he was being transported on and died in Captivity on July
16, 1945. He was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, Maryland. Lt. Allen was 23 years old.
See “Remembered, Not Forgotten,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-
Display/Article/2349234/remembered-not-forgotten-on-national-powmia-recognition-day-
2020/
Bilstin, Leon, Capt., 378th Fighter Squadron. He completed 100 combat missions with the
371FG’s 405 and 406FS and started another combat tour with the 378th Fighter Squadron of
the 362nd Fighter Group. Capt. Bilstin’s P-47 Thunderbolt was shot down in an attack on a
railyard at Kaiserslautern, Germany and KIA on September 28, 1944 – no remains were found at
the crash site in the railroad yard. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the
Lorraine Military Cemetery, in St. Avold, France. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air
Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. Capt. Bilstin was 26 years old.
Burdett, Edward B., Brig. Gen., Commander, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. A pilot of the 35th
PRS known by the nickname “Shifty” in China during World War II, Brig. Gen. Burdett survived
combat tours in WWII and Korea but was killed in the Vietnam War during the Rolling Thunder
air campaign. Flying Republic F-105D Thunderchief, serial number 62-4221, he was shot down
on his 37th mission of the war by an SA-2 surface-to-air missile barrage over North Vietnam on
November 18, 1967. It’s unknown whether he died from wounds/injury and/or torture at the
hands of the enemy. His remains were returned to the US in 1974. Brig. Gen. Burdett was
awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple
Heart, and Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. He was buried at Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, at Section 11, Grave 115-2. His name is on the Vietnam Memorial
Wall at Panel 30E, Line 13. Brig. Gen. Burdett was 46 years old.
16
Evans, Francis T. Jr., Capt., 95th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. A P-47 Thunderbolt. pilot of the
371st Fighter Group, Capt.. Francis T. Evans completed over 100 combat missions and
continued to serve on active duty after the war. On June 16, 1953 while flying a North
American F-86D Sabre jet fighter-interceptor, he experienced a hydraulic system failure.
Enroute back to Andrews AFB in Maryland, Capt. Evans was near an elementary school when
the backup system failed. With what control he still had of the jet, he steered the plane to a
wooded area beyond the school and bailed out, too low for his parachute to open fully and he
was killed, but he saved the lives of some 200 children then on the grounds of the school. Capt.
Evans was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at Section 10, Site 10606-B. He was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters for his World War II
service. Capt. Evans was 31 years old.