On 13 Apr 1944, the 766th Bombardment Squadron of the 461st Bombardment Group (15th Air Force), launced from Torretta, Italy a combat mission to Budapest, Hungary. The mission was to bomb the Duna Tokol aircraft components factory. The weather was cieling and visibility unrestricted (CAVU). On a B-24H Liberator aircraft, tail number 42-52366 were the following crewmen: Pilot 1st Lt Charles William Bauman, Co-pilot 2nd Lt David Noble Riker, bombadier 2nd Lt Edward Franklin Zabriskie, navigator 2nd Lt Frank Edward Ritacco, navigator 1st Lt Raymond V. Gombossy, Right Wing Gunner TSgt Alfred George Brindle, Radio Operator TSgt Michael Ventresca, Tail Turret Gunner SSgt Leopoldo Velarde, Belly Turret Gunner SSgt Edward Charles Bross, Tailgunner SSgt Edmund Joseph Brzezinski, Nose Turret Gunner SSgt Frank Valentine Stampiek, and Left Wing Gunner Sgt Luther Alonzo Stotts.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Charles Bauman's next of kin was identified as his wife Margaret S. Bauman of Dallas, Texas.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Charles Bauman's next of kin was identified as his wife Margaret S. Bauman of Dallas, Texas.
On 13 Apr 1944, the 766th Bombardment Squadron of the 461st Bombardment Group (15th Air Force), launced from Torretta, Italy a combat mission to Budapest, Hungary. The mission was to bomb the Duna Tokol aircraft components factory. The weather was cieling and visibility unrestricted (CAVU). On a B-24H Liberator aircraft, tail number 42-52366 were the following crewmen: Pilot 1st Lt Charles William Bauman, Co-pilot 2nd Lt David Noble Riker, bombadier 2nd Lt Edward Franklin Zabriskie, navigator 2nd Lt Frank Edward Ritacco, navigator 1st Lt Raymond V. Gombossy, Right Wing Gunner TSgt Alfred George Brindle, Radio Operator TSgt Michael Ventresca, Tail Turret Gunner SSgt Leopoldo Velarde, Belly Turret Gunner SSgt Edward Charles Bross, Tailgunner SSgt Edmund Joseph Brzezinski, Nose Turret Gunner SSgt Frank Valentine Stampiek, and Left Wing Gunner Sgt Luther Alonzo Stotts.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Charles Bauman's next of kin was identified as his wife Margaret S. Bauman of Dallas, Texas.
Single engine enemy airplanes flew parallel with the Group at a safe distance and radioed headings, altitude, and air speed to their ground installations. Flak over the target was intense, accurate, and heavy. While over Budapest at about 12:56 PM, Lt Bauman's plane took a direct flak hit on the #1 engine and fuel tank which removed a portion of the wing. The plane made a sharp turn into a plane piloted by 2nd Lt Paul S. Mowery. Lt Mowery's plane was seen to go into a spin and level off, possibly made a crash landing north of the target area. However, Lt Bauman's plane was seen to go into a spin and crashed in the target area. No parachutes were seen. As a side note, because the 461st Bombardment Group had to battle their way through formidable enemy defenses to assure a successful mission, the unit was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their 13 Apr 1944 mission.
Charles Bauman's next of kin was identified as his wife Margaret S. Bauman of Dallas, Texas.
Inscription
1LT US ARMY AIR FORCES
WORLD WAR II
Gravesite Details
SSN 462-07-2912; Service #0-666121
Family Members
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