Burns

2nd Lt. Vincent DePaul Burns was the pilot on B-24J #42-73315 assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron. He and the remainder of the crew tragically lost on take off from Kurmitola, India, on the way to Liuzhou, China. See more on that event here. Much appreciation for materials provided at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70052267/vincent-depaul-burns and Anna.

The crew of B-24J #42-73315 when on August 14, 1944 they departed their base in Kurmitola India to fly fuel and supplies over the Himalayas to US Army Air Forces based in Liuchow China. Their plane crashed immediately after takeoff, killing all aboard. 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron. These men were in the #42-73315 incident on...

Air crew members of the 491st Bomb Squadron pose with the B-25H "Wabash Cannonball" at Yangkai, China. In back are Lt. Orlando W. Wood (pilot) and Lt. Walter H. Finne (pilot) with S/Sgt William H. Matthews (flight engineer), Cpl. George W. Burns (radio) and S/Sgt Robert M. Hickey (gunner) in the front. (Information provided by Tony Strotman)

These 491st Bomb Squadron maintenance personnel pose for a photo after preparing "Old 59" for its triumphant return to the USA. Wishing the plane a safe trip are Clayton E. "Fred" Nash, Wilbur Carter, Atkinson, Joseph A. Bicagalupo, Joseph F. Burns, Karl E. Hammett, center rear -- Frank Bates, William W. Byrant, Elmer M. Peterson, Arnold B. Christensen, Lloyd E...

There were no hangars at Yangkai AB, nor any airbase in China. This required all aircraft maintenance to be performed in the open, regardless of weather conditions. These 491st Bomb Squadron mechanics are changing engines on squadron aircraft #444, "Shark Mouth", in the spring of 1944. Frenchy Beaudetter, George Butsika, John Burns, John Aspinwall, Karl Hammett, Frank Bert, Frank Bates...

Barracks area in Yangkai, Spring 1945. Hunter Toms, Joe Burns, Bill Gornick, Syd Nyreen.

Kealy, Johnny Burns, Schmidt, Hammett, Alexander, Nash, Nyreen, Alelunas, Sam Knox, Liuzhou, September 1944. Train in the background is full of barrels of fuel. The disturbed ground in the foreground is likely caused by bombing.

Frank Bates, Johnny Burns, and George Butsika at the Lucky Cafe in Liuzhou, China. Sept 1944. See the Lucky Cafe after the destruction of Ichigo here.

Looking toward the other side of Liuzhou on the boat bridge. Johnnie Burns is a couple of boats ahead, looking back. The barge is off to the left where the kids are swimming.

#444 at engine change, Yangkai, China, July 1944 Hammett, Basil Turko, Aspinwall, Bert, unk., and Burns From the collection of Frank Bates.