Purple Heart to First 21st BC B-29 Lost

[Trevor Arendall]

This is the Purple Heart to Ralph C Banovicts. He was killed on the first bombing raid over Tokyo since the Doolittle raid on November 24, 1944. 

S/Sgt Ralph C Banovicts was the radio operator for the B-29 42-24622 “Lucky Irish” which was piloted by Lt Wagner. This B-29 unfortunately become famous on November 24, 1944 while on the first bombing raid over Tokyo since the Doolittle Raid. The “Lucky Irish” was one of 111 B-29s launched to bombard various targets in the Tokyo area. During the raid, 24 attacked the Musashino aircraft plant, 59 attacked port facilities and urban areas in Tokyo, 5 attacked targets of last resort, 17 aborted while in route to target and 6 were unable to release bombs because of mechanical problems. During the raid 2 B-29s were lost, B-29 gunners claimed 7 downed aircraft, 8 B-29s were damaged by ground fire and 3 were damaged from friendly B-29 fire. Personal losses are 1 killed, 11 missing (later declared dead) and 4 wounded. 
 

Of the two B-29s lost, one ditched (Tudor Crew) and one was shot down (Wagner crew). The “Lucky Irish” was flown by the Wagner crew. The book B-29 Superfortress vs. Ki-44 Tojo written by Donald Nijboer best explains what happened to the Wagner’s B-29. “Ki-44-IIs of the 47th Hikō Sendai caught the bombers over the target, with unit commander Maj Noburo Okuda raked B-29 42-24622 Lucky Irish of the 870th BS/497th BG, Flown by Sam Wagner, with 40mm cannon fire during a head-on attack. Moments later Cpl Yoshiso Mita Finished the job by ramming his Ki-44 into the B-29’s tail section. After he cut off the right stabilizer and elevator, his fighter burst into flames and fell from the sky. Lucky Irish went into a spin and eventually crashed nose first. There were no survivors.” 

 

The eleven men who lost their lives on the “Lucky Irish” are as follows 

Pilot - 1st/Lt Sam P Wagner 
Co Pilot - 2nd/Lt Ernest B Lopes
Navigator - 2nd/Lt Alvin R Hoffman
Bombardier - 2nd/Lt David J Schnaars
Engineer - 2nd/Lt Odne N Dahl
Radio Operator - S/Sgt Ralph C Banovicts 
Radar Operator - S/Sgt William Wendler 
Gunner - Sgt Elmer C Lindenstruth 
Gunner - Sgt Hubert D Wheeler 
Gunner - Cpl Cecil E Frederick
Gunner - Pfc Rex E Merritt

 

Not only would this day mark the

beginning of heavy bombing raids on Tokyo, it marked the first successful ramming attack by a Ki-44 and it also marked the first 21st Bomber Command B-29 lost to enemy action. 

 

Below are pictures of the Purple Heart, “Lucky Irish” crew and Cpl Yoshiso Mita.

[Trevor Arendall]

The ramming attack of the “Lucky Irish” is captured on the bottom cover of the book B-29 Superfortress vs. Ki-44 “Tojo”

[Bill Schnaars]

Hi,

I recently came across your post about the Purple Heart awarded to Sergeant Ralph C. Banovicts. My uncle, 2nd Lt. David J. Schnaars, was the Bombardier on the same plane that went down near Tokyo. I was wondering if you might have a clearer version of the picture you posted or perhaps another photo. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of my uncle, and finding specific information or images from that time has always been challenging.

After the war, a Catholic War Veterans post was named in his honor Lt. David Schnaars CWV Post. My family and I were deeply involved with the Post for decades, but over time, membership dwindled as members aged, and eventually, it merged with a Vietnam Veterans post.

Your post has been so enlightening to me and my family. I’ve shared the story and the one photo I have of my uncle with all my grandchildren and my siblings’ grandchildren. I want them to understand and remember the sacrifices made by individuals like my uncle, who gave their lives. I hope that by doing so, future generations can honor and include these stories in their school projects or homework on World War II.

Thank you so much for posting and sharing this information it means a lot to us. If you do happen to have a clearer copy of the picture or other photos, I would be incredibly grateful if you could share them here.

Here is a copy of the only picture I have of my uncle. I had it professionally restored from an old photo.

Thanks again, Bill Schnaars

[268th C.A.]

What you're doing keeps his memory alive. What a handsome young man whose life was cut short protecting our freedom. Keep those memories alive! R.I.P. Airman. 

thanks for posting your memories.