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VPB109 KIA - Missouri


mike kelso
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Guys, happy to present another Missouri related medal group. The group includes a copy of the official file including medal citations and photo.

 

Ensign Keith W. Radcliffe, USN
MIA 5 August 1945
declared dead 6 August 1946

Kirkwood, Missouri

Ensign Radcliffe enlisted in the Navy Reserve in May 1942. In May ’44 he was commissioned and reported for pilot training. He graduated as a Naval Aviator with assignment as co-pilot/navigator with Patrol Bomber Squadron 109 (VPB-109). Reporting on 3 October 1944. VPB 109 flying PBY4-2 Privateer conducted combat operations in the vicinity of the Philippines, Borneo, Korea and Japan.

 

On May 20 & 24, 1945, off the coast of Korea, his plane “Bachelor’s Delight” participated in the sinking of a 2,000 ton and 3,000 ton freighter transport as well as other shipping.

 

On August 5, 1945 while strafing a 1,000 ton Japanese tanker of the East coast of Korea his Privateer with a crew of 11, was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. “Bachelor’s Delight“ crashed into the ocean some 2 miles from the target.

 

There were no survivors. On August 15, 1945 hostilities ceased against the Japanese Empire.

 

Ens. Radcliffe’s decorations, awarded posthumously, include;
the DFC awarded 12 Dec 1947
AM 4OLC awd 1 & 2 24 Jan ’46, 3, 4 & 5 12 Dec ‘47
PH 24 Sep 1946

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06 AUG 45 A/C: PB4Y-1 Location: East of Korea Strike: Yes BUNO: Unknown Cause: Anti-aircraft fire from a Japanese tanker east of Korea and crashed into the ocean two miles away with no survivors found, all presumed killed. WebSite: The George and Eleanor Wack Family http://imps.mcmaster.ca/wackfamily-public/documents/uncle-toms-memoir/ [01OCT2007]

The twelve members of Crew 6, "Bachelor's Delight," shot down on 6 August 1945 by anti-aircraft fire from a Japanese tanker east of Korea and crashed into the ocean two miles away with no survivors found, all presumed killed:

Henry Baier, Jr., Ensign, USNR, of Seward, Kansas, Copilot-Navigator
Alexander J. Boyd, ARM 1/c, USNR, of Pueblo,Colorado, AG & Radioman;
James R. T. Carswell, AFC 2/c, USN, of Baltimore, Maryland, AG & Ordnanceman
Lawrence R. Conroy, AOM 3/c, USNR, of Cleveland, Ohio, AG & Ordnanceman
Peter G. Ilaqua, ARM 2/c, USNR, of Syracuse, New York, AG & Radioman
Frank R. Kramer, AOM 1/c, USNR, of Bingen, Washington, AG & Ordnanceman (had been in Crew 8 of
VB-109)
John D. Keeling, 26, Lieutenant, USNR, of Scott City, Kansas, Patrol Plane Commander (had been PPC of Crew 8 in
VB-109)
William F. Kreier, ARM 1/c, USNR, of Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, AG & Radioman (had been in Crew 8 of
VB-109)
James E. Krieger, AMM 3/c, USNR, of Cincinnati, Ohio, AG & Mechanic
Keith W. Radcliffe, Ensign, USNR, of Kirkwood, Missouri, Copilot-Navigator

Melvin M. Rager, AMM 2/c, USNR, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, AG & Mechanic
William L. Willocks, Jr., AMM 1/c, USNR, of Schenectady, New York, Plane Captain & Air Gunner

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I have a book titled "The Reluctant Raiders" about this squadron. There is a brief account of this plane and crew's loss in it and thought you might like to read some of it. ……….

 

Lt Keeling and Lt Vidal were on anti shipping patrol off Korea when they spotted a 2500 ton tanker...….By now both planes were subjected to intense medium and light AA. Completing his run, Lt Keeling pulled up to 500 feet with his number three engine smoking. His plane gradually nosed over in a slight turn to starboard before crashing into the water two miles west of the ship."...."Lt Vidal broke off his bombing run when he observed Lt Keeling in distress and headed to scene of the crash. Heavy smoke and flames reached a height of 200 feet after the plane hit the water and only a few pieces of debris and heavy oily smoke were visible when Vidal's plane reached the scene. A uninflated life raft, wheel, and large amount of dye marker was floating on the surface. Lt Vidal had his crew threw out an inflated life raft and survival kit adjacent to the crash, but no survivors were sighted."

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Kurt Barickman

Super nice group! Love the engraving and thanks for sharing with us on Christmas; so sad being KIA so close to the end of the war.

Kurt

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