Capt. Reese A. Killpack, O-428961, was the Pilot, A/C of the B-29 #44-69867, "Merry Fortune". Assigned to the 20th AAF, 39th Bomb Group (VH), 60th BS. Based at Guam Island, Northern Marianas. On 29 May 1945 they participated in a bombing mission #186 of Yokohama, Japan. They encountered heavy flak over the target. AA hit the fuselage just in front of the tail and blew a large hole in the aircraft. It disabled the flight controls and Capt. Killpack was forced to leave the formation. His crippled plane was attacked by a dozen enemy fighters. He fought to keep airborne using only the trim tab control . He ordered his crew to bail out just before crashing into the ocean at 33.35 N/141.55 E. The Submarine SS Dragonet arrived at the site and rescued 3 crewmembers. 7 crew were listed as MIA. Capt. Killpack was listed MIA/KIA. Body not recovered. (MACR 14537).
Capt. Reese A. Killpack, O-428961, was the Pilot, A/C of the B-29 #44-69867, "Merry Fortune". Assigned to the 20th AAF, 39th Bomb Group (VH), 60th BS. Based at Guam Island, Northern Marianas. On 29 May 1945 they participated in a bombing mission #186 of Yokohama, Japan. They encountered heavy flak over the target. AA hit the fuselage just in front of the tail and blew a large hole in the aircraft. It disabled the flight controls and Capt. Killpack was forced to leave the formation. His crippled plane was attacked by a dozen enemy fighters. He fought to keep airborne using only the trim tab control . He ordered his crew to bail out just before crashing into the ocean at 33.35 N/141.55 E. The Submarine SS Dragonet arrived at the site and rescued 3 crewmembers. 7 crew were listed as MIA. Capt. Killpack was listed MIA/KIA. Body not recovered. (MACR 14537).
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Entered the service from Utah.
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