Capt Samuelson was scheduled to fly 8 missions
from 24 November 1944 through 19 February 1945.

One of these was an abort and another a Weather Strike Mission.

On 19 February 1945 their B-29 was rammed while
on the bomb run from Kofu to the Tokyo Dock Area ( secondary target ).

Their B-29 split in two and 8 of the crew died in the crash at Nishihara Village.

Three parachuted safely to the ground.

Sgt Evans was captured in the area of Ongata Village and
sent to the Omori POW camp.
He was the only one to survive the war.

Sgt Janecek was captured and later died.
He was buried at the Koishikawa Military Cemetery.

Sgt Weiser landed safely in
Ongata Village near Hachioji and was killed by locals.

He is not in the following crew photos.

_________________________________

There is no information in his IDPF stating
when he joined the Samuelson Crew.

His name is in Operations Order # 24
Mather Field, California,
3 November 1944

This is the Movement Order for the Samuelson Crew
Destination Saipan
( see Page 4 )
_______________________________

The first photo caption has the incorrect
B-29 tail number that flew on 19 February 1945.
This should be Z Square 12.

In the 881st Bomb Squadron February 1945 War Diary is
one page with a short summary of the 19 February Mission.

Each of the Samuelson Crew members are listed.
( follows photos )

At the bottom of the page is a photo of a grave marker with the
names of the five crew members who were buried as a group.

This was taken at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery,
St Louis, Missouri,
by Randy Watkins.

BACK TO TOP

DATE

TAIL NUMBER

SERIAL NUMBER

24 November 1944

Z Square 3

42-63435

18 December 1944 ( abort )

Z Square 3

42-63435

27 December 1944

Z Square 11

42-63489

9 January 1945

Z Square 3

42-65429

14 January 1945

Z Square 3

42-65429

29 January 1945 ( weather mission )

Z Square 3

42-65429

10 February 1945

Z Square 3

42-65429

19 February 1945 ( lost )

Z Square 12

42-24692