John W. Campbell (1920-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

Navigator: O-700134John W Campbell 1Lt KS

KIA: 1-April-1945 B-29 Superfortress #42-24614 T-SQ-5

1Lt John W Campbell (1920-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

Navigator: Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress, serial #42-24614 nicknamed “Joltin’ Josie, The Pacific Pioneer” tail code: T-Square-5 assigned to the 873rd Bomber Squadron, 498th Bombardment Group (VH), 73rd Bomb Wing, XXI Bomber Command, 20th Air Force stationed at Isely Field on Saipan in the Mariana Islands; Pacific Theatre of Operations.

On Sunday 1 April 1945, "Joltin Josie" was one of 121 aircraft launched in a multi-group formation on a mission to bombard the Musashino Aircraft Engine Factory (target #357) near Tokyo, Japan. T-SQ-5 took-off at 2100 hours local with an intended course heading of 339 degrees on the planned 15-hour round-trip mission.

Shortly after take-off, fumes in the cockpit were reported. The aircraft burst into flames and crashed with a large explosion about 300 yards offshore into Magicienne Bay on the southeast side of Saipan.

A Coast Guard vessel was dispatched within a few minutes, but upon reaching the burning aircraft, they were unable to find any survivors. All 12 aircrew members were officially listed as Killed-In-Action on 3 April 1945.