ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 86182
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| Date: | Tuesday 13 January 1953 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Boeing RB-29A Superfortress |
| Owner/operator: | 91st SRSqn /3rd BWg USAF |
| Registration: | 44-62217 |
| MSN: | 11690 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 14 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | near Antung, south of Yalu River -
 North Korea
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Clark AFB, Philppines |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Built as B-29A-70-BN, modified in service to be a Boeing F-13A. One of the most sensational missions of the 581st in Korea occurred on 12 January 1953, when a 581st ARC B-29 (tail number 44-62217, call sign "Stardust Four Zero") on its first leaflet drop mission with the 581st ARC Wing Commander, Col. John Arnold (as well as the operations commander of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Major William (Bill) Baumer) on board, was shot down on their last leaflet target just south of the Yalu River in far northern Korea near the Chinese town of Antung.
At the time, Russian fighter squadrons, some equipped for night flying, were supporting and supplying the Chinese with airpower, including the Russian-made MiG-15 Fagot. Twelve Russian MiG-15s from the 351st (and perhaps the 535th) Fighter Air Regiments (IAP) intercepted a lone Superfortress (Stardust Four Zero) of the 581st ARCW south of the Yalu River, about 15 miles from the Chinese border.
The MiGs were scrambled and vectored to the bomber's location by Russian radar-controlled searchlight units stationed near Antung, China. The searchlights illuminated the unarmed Superfortress and several MiGs engaged the bomber. Russian MiG pilot Senior Lt. Khabiev of the 351st IAP was credited with the intercept and downing of the B-29.
Although US sources believe the B-29 was flying in North Korean airspace at the time of its mayday call, a belief that is strongly disputed by the Chinese and Russian authorities, crew members who bailed and landed believe they were in North Korean territory. Upon capture, the crew was rounded up, blindfolded and put aboard trucks, subsequently transported into China and later charged as CIA spies (the Chinese subsequently learned of the CIA connection with the ARCW units).
During the highly publicized Chinese trial in Peking in October 1954, the surviving crew members, along with captured CIA agents Fecteau and Downey, who were imprisoned two years earlier after they had been shot down while attempting to pick up their Chinese double agent, were given prison sentences ranging from 5 years to life.
Not until 4 August 1955, two years after the Korean War Armistice, were the surviving Stardust Four Zero crew members released from Chinese prison. These crew members held the distinction of being the longest held POW USAF captives of the war.
ARNOLD, Jr., John K. COL USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
BAUMER, William E. MAJ USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
BENJAMIN, JR., Harry M. A2C USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
BROWN, Howard W. TSGT USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
BROWN, Wallace L. 1LT USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
BUCK, John W. CAPT USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
HART, JR., Alvin D. A1C USAF KIA
KIBA, Steve E. A1C USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
LLEWELLYN, Elmer F. CAPT USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
SCHMIDT, Daniel C. A1C USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
THOMPSON, III, John W. A2C USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
VAADI, Eugene J. CAPT USAF RMC RMC from China 1955
VAN VOORHIS, Paul E. 1LT USAF MIA
WEESE, Henry D. 1LT USAF KIA
Sources:
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/korea/reports/air/korwald_info_526.htm
[LINK NOT WORKING ANYMORE:http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_4.h]tml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/581st_Air_Resupply_and_Communications_Wing
https://my.xfinity.com/~b29sinthekoreanwar/0-b29MasterList.htm
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Apr-2013 23:44 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Cn, Operator, Location, Country, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 08-Feb-2021 15:40 | Pink | Updated [Operator, Location, Operator] |
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