Letters from Families and Pilots About MIAs (2004

Below are some recent letters that I have received regarding my MIA recovery expeditions:

From: "Tom Stavinoha"
To: "Clayton Kuhles"
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: Cpl. Arnold B. Stavinoha

My family will be so excited. I have a sheet metal tool box he made while in the service. It has his name on it.

If there is any thing I can do for you, let me know. I was able to attend the local Veteran's Day event last Friday. I know of at least three memorials that has his name on them.

>>> "Clayton Kuhles" 11/14/2007 10:25 AM >>>

Dear Mr. Stavinoha,

Thanks for your speedy reply.

I recently returned from an MIA search expedition in northeast India. While in India, I followed-up on rumors of an aircraft wreck north of Itanagarh in Arunachal Pradesh. I recovered an engraved ID bracelet from the site (see attached photo) belonging to A. B. Stavinoha.

After returning home and doing some research, I learned that Arnold's remains were recovered from the site during the war. I thought Arnold's family might like to have his ID bracelet. Please advise where and to whom I can send it.

Regards,
Clayton Kuhles

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Stavinoha"
To: "Clayton Kuhles"
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: Cpl. Arnold B. Stavinoha

Arnold was my dad's brother. I believe he was buried in Missouri. Two sisters still live in Rosenberg. Violia Hundle and Elenora Earnest. My sister Teresa Stavinoha Demel, who lives in Webster, keeps up with our family tree.

My name is Greg P Gerrans and I am the nephew of Alfred P Gerrans. I do not mean to disturb you but My uncle was MIA in WWII, he served as a tail gunner on a B-24. I believe the name of the aircraft was “hot as hell”. I saw your link on the B-24/PB4Y research team page and my mother was contacted two days ago stating the aircraft had been found.

Can you please help put me in contact with anyone that could offer any additional information, particularly if this could possibly be the aircraft my uncle served on? Do you know who discovered the aircraft?

I would greatly appreciate any information you could help me with as this has been a lifelong mystery of my family.

I spoke with Mr. G. Zaetz yesterday and was informed that you located the site where my Uncle, Lt. Sheldon L. Chambers, has been at rest for the past 64 years. Words cannot adequately express my thanks and gratitude for going to the extremes of the world to find the remains of my dear Uncle and the crew of “Hot as Hell.”

My Grandmother gave my Father a box of Uncle Shell’s belongings. My Father, in turn gave that box to me. This box of mementos and the many stories my Father told me about Shell made Shell a presence in my life for as long as I can remember. I still have his belongings today. We never forgot about him and despite the passing of all these years, we still hoped that someday B24-J 42-73308 would be found. You made that hope a reality for me and my family.

Shell was born in the middle of a family of nine children. He was a nurturer who wanted more than anything else to be farmer. He and his brothers and sisters grew up in rural western Pennsylvania during the Great Depression. Shell raised chickens for the family but he could not kill them. That task was left to my Father who hesitated little in cutting a chicken’s head off so that the family may enjoy a cooked dinner.

Shell enlisted in the Army as a young man, following the lead of my Father. He was at Hickman Field the day that base and the Pacific fleet, located at Pearl Harbor, were attacked by the Japanese. He lived through that horrific day to rise from a private to a second lieutenant and the co-pilot of a B-24. His family was very proud of him.

There are 3 siblings remaining among Shell’s brothers and sisters. The oldest, My Aunt Verna, lives in the same place as you, Prescott. She is a resident at the Arizona Pioneers Home. Despite being 90 years of age, she is alert and could go on for hours telling you about Shell. The youngest of the family, my Uncle Russ, was contacted by my Mother yesterday. He was informed of your selfless dedication to MIA recoveries and was told the news that “Hot as Hell” had been found. He has your phone number and may be in contact with you.

I live not far from you in Flagstaff. It would be my greatest pleasure to shake your hand someday and to tell you in person what a noble deed you have done.

Sent: September 14, 2007
Subject: Missing Aircrew Report for B24-J 42-73308

I found your web site by accident really. An older friend of my, Susan Parham, as a young lady was engaged to Bombrdier, lst Lt. Robert E. Oxford, that died on the above aircraft. He was scheduled to come home for leave really soon, but never made it. He had three other brothers who did make it home thought. I wanted to print the official report for her, but only the first page printed. Is there anyway you could print and e-mail to me. She has never forgotten this young man all these years, even though she married a Baptist preacher. I know it would just be a blessing to her to have this much information. Someone called her from the young man's family on Sept 11and said they had found the remains of his plane and she wanted me to see what I could find on the internet.

My husband is the nephew of Lt. Robert E. Oxford. I believe that he was on the plane that you found in India. I think it was the B24-J Serial # 42-73308. Was there any other information that you have that was not on your web site. Did you find any of the crews remains? Is there any way that I can get a copy of the pictures? What can we do to get the government to check this crash site? Any information would be helpful. Robert E. Oxford has one brother still alive. We would love to be able to tell him that his brother was found. Thank you so much for your help.

My Uncle was shot down 6 miles north of Yuncheng, China on April 14, 1945. He was never recovered, but was reportedly buried there by the Chinese. I have been in contact with JPAC, provided DNA samples, and all the info I had. They may investigate his site in the future. Just wondered if you had ever been in this area of China or had any contacts there.

From: Garrison, Virginia B. (MSFC-ED03)
To: Clayton Kuhles
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 7:59 AM
Subject: RE: C-46 #7294

I was wondering if you have any further updates or information. I contacted JPAC and they informed me that the plane is on a list for recovery but wtih the bad relations with that country they are not sure when or if recovery will happen.

Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 7:40 PM
To: Garrison, Virginia B. (MSFC-ED03)
Subject: Re: C-46 #7294

I'm returning to Burma this year to reach several additional sites. I'll be making a video of #7294 on this upcoming trip. I would be happy to send you a copy of the video and some pieces of the wreckage. I've supplied all the crashsite data to JPAC, but I don't know if they're planning a remains recovery mission to this site. With US-Burma relations being very strained, the US has not done any recovery missions in that country for several years. I would encourage you to write to JPAC and request they do a remains recovery mission to #7294.

I was checking to see if you have any further info on the above WWII C-46 plane you had found. My uncle was the radio operator on that plane, Cpl. Hal Roberts.

From: Clayton Kuhles
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 8:36 PM
To: Carol Wittig
Cc: Garrison, Lynn
Subject: C-46 #7294

There was enough wreckage at the crashsite to ID the airplane. It appears to have flown directly into the mountain due to insufficient altitude. The visibility at the time was near zero according to E.P. Leitz, and I doubt this aircraft had air-to-ground radar. It's my guess the pilot underestimated the amount of altitude he would need to safely clear Kaukwe Taung.

I was seriously trying to get the MIA unit out of Hawaii interested after I found some letters to my family that my deceased mother had in a suitcase. The letters were from the War Department and had a general location of the crash location in China. The Hawaii unit found and sent me the MACR which was pretty useless. They informed me that a general location was insufficient justification to search for this lost crew when other known locations were yet to be investigated. They also have to play a political game with the Chinese government and must be selective in their search.

The letter below is the initial response from the China-Burma-India Hump Pilots Association to Mr. Mayser's request for information...

My name is Lesly Larkan. I am the Executive Secretary for The China-Burma-India Hump Pilots Association.

I have found a little bit of information about your Uncle Mr. Caron and the crew of B-24D. I found this information in a book called The Aluminum Trail. This particular book contains info on all aircraft and crew members that were lost during The China-Burma-India Theatre of WWII. I have sent an attachment that contains Vol. II of this book. Mr. Caronâ€™s info is on pg.113 of this book-I believe it should be pg. 118 as Acrobat counts the pages. I have forwarded your e-mail to some others in the Organization and hopefully either you or I will be contacted soon. Also with your permission I would like to print your request for information in our upcoming newsletter which will be published around the 1st of December 2003. This newsletter is sent to about 2000 members of the Organization and would greatly increase our chances of finding someone who knew Mr. Caron and or information about the flight on March 15, 1944. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sorry the attachment that contains The Aluminum Trail was to large to send- Here is how the page reads

THIS PLANE WAS ENROUTE FROM TEZPUR, INDIA TO CHENGTU, CHINA AREA. DEPARTURE TIME FROM TEZPUR 0311Z. THE PILOT STATED HIS INTENTIONS TO PHOTOGRAPH FT. HERTZ VALLEY AND THE DISTRICT OF CHENGTU WEST TO YANGTZE VALLEY, THEN SOUTH TO LIKING. THE CREW LEFT THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY WERE APT TO GO ANYWHERE TO OBTAIN NECESSARY PHOTOGRAPHS. AFTER THE PLANE DEPARTED TEZPUR, TOWER NOTIFIED THE SHIP THAT GAS WAS SIPHONING FROM THE WING TANK TO WHICH THE PILOT REPLIED THAT THE SITUATION WAS UNDER CONTROL. THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO CONTACT. DURING NOVEMBER 1944, CHINESE BROUGHT IN A REPORT TO KIUNGLAI, CHINA THAT A FOUR ENGINED AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FOUND CRASHED ON A MOUNTAIN. THEY REPORTED BODIES WERE BADLY DECOMPOSED AND THAT LEATHER JACKETS WORN BY THE MEN FELL APART WHEN TOUCHED. IT WAS REPORTED THAT JACKETS BORE COLONELâ€™S INSIGNIA. CHINESE STATE THAT SNOW IS VERY HEAVY AT THIS TIME, PLANE CAN BE REACHED IN JULY AND AUGUST. CRASH IS AT ROUGHLY 120 MILES NE OF KIUNGLAI, CHINA.

Thanks for calling last week. You mentioned that you were sending photos and info about the crash site of my uncle, John A. Deaux. I haven't received anything yet and I didn't know if you were mailing them or sending them electronically so I wanted to make sure you had all my info:

Charles Steven Deaux, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
.....
Lakeland, TN 38002

I have emailed JPAC about my interest in recovering my uncle's remains and perhaps learning more about his unit and last mission. My brother and I just returned last month from the funeral and burial of our father's last living sibling in the family plot in Portland, TN. There is a marker and memorial for John A. of which my wife took photos. My brother and I, along with several nieces and nephews, are the only known living relatives and I'm sure we'd all like to "bring him home." He is one of the main reasons my brother and I became career Air Force pilots, and we have always wondered what really happened to him. Our Dad said that he was lost on his 13th mission in theater and had swapped jewelry, uniform items, and log books with his best friend and fellow pilot. I'm sure there are hundreds of stories just like ours, and I'm thankful you are helping us bring closure to one of the chapters. Thanks again for your help and God bless you in your future treks.

Reference is made to an e-mail that a Mr. Clayton Kuhles wrote to you on June 28,2007. It was replying to yours of the same day in discussion of the markings on the wreckage of B-24(42-73308). My brother, Lt. Irwin Zaetz, was navigator on that plane and and I am in hopes that the report of findings by Mr. Clayton Kuhles will initiate an official search after 63 years.

I understand that you will be leaving JPAC soon and I hope that you will leave your findings in good hands so that actions
will continue. After two certified mails to JPAC and one to the archives in Maryland, I have yet to receive directly any response. Would you please advise me what progress has been made in the above investigation and the person or office that will be handling this after you leave . This is very important to me and all courtesies will be greatly appreciated.

Sent: July 02, 2007
Subject: 1Lt John A. Deaux, USAAC, C-47 Pilot, KIA, CBI, Nov '43

I just found this site and was excited to find information about my uncle, John A. Deaux, who was a C-47 pilot killed while flying the "Hump" in WWII. I would be interested in talking to you or receiving any information about his crash site you may have. My brother and I are both retired USAF Lt Cols, now flying for FedEx. Our father passed away twenty years ago and although I have a few of his and my uncle's Air Corps memorabilia, I always wondered what really happened to our uncle and his crew.

I do know that he (John A.) was initially listed as MIA and later declared KIA, but I did not think they ever found his remains. He has a memorial marker in his hometown cemetery in Portland, TN.

Any info or help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the work you do and God bless,

Once again, I wish to thank you for all the effort you've made in the search of B-24 Hot-As-Hell. Just today, I sent a follow-up mail to the office of J-2 Intelligence at Hickam AFB in Hawaii requesting the courtesy of a responce. I also mailed the National Arcives and Research Administration in College Park, MD.

I'm in hopes that the search classication continues. If I receive any mail from any source, you will be the first to know.

I am sending you a copy of our local weekly paper that has a story about our Uncle Eugene. I thought it was very well written, but then I may be slightly prejudiced. It is pretty good for a small town newspaper. Just wanted to let you know what is going on in our little part of the country. I am preparing letters to send to the Arunachal Pradesh Government; also to remind my US Senator Johnny Isakson that I have not heard anything from him lately, and try to prod him along somewhat. I believe we will have to remain persistent and also insistent in our pursuit. Also a positive outlook seems to help. Thank you very much for all you do. Your finding the aircraft Hot As Hell that our loved one was on means so very much to all of us.

With interest, I viewed your missing Aarcrew report for B24-J 42-73308.I am a brother of Lt. Irwin Zaetz who was on that plane involved.

I am the "baby'" sister of 2nd Lt. George M. Hout who was lost while piloting a C87 over the Hump on September 24, 1945. The plane left Heinching, China on a cargo mission ro Rezpur, India. A radio message was received at 1: 50 am and gave their estimate arrival to be 2:25am. This was the last communication.

According to a good friend of the radio operator the weather was very bad that night and several planes were down. It was thought by the friend that the plane might have gone down in a "Uninhabital jungle". Due to the storm they had to use their extra allotted gas which would have gotton them back to base.

All this info I have obtained from letters my mother had received after his death and have been saved by her, and now me, all these years. I have always needed some closure with this as I never had the opportunity to get to know my big brother. Is there any light that you can shed on this? HAve there been many discoveries of down planes in the jungles? His service number was #0-896845 and he was part of the 1327th Army Air Force Base Unit.

My niece, Lynn Anderson, has informed me of your possible search for aircraft # 43-4287, which went missing on 8/11/44. On board was my brother, SSgt Louis J. Corradino,31030249. As a Pearl Harbor Survivor, I am well aware of the difficulties you are facing in this endeavor, but I want you to know that I appreciate all that you do for all of us. Thank you for the whole Corradino family.

I just received an email from my cousin Lynn Corradino explaining all the research you have been doing for WWII missing people. I am so pleased that you are making an effort to help the families of these people. My grandmother is Louis Corradino's sister. She is now 86 years old and I know it would make her feel better to hear what happened to her brother. I really do appreciate your efforts and I want to thank you for whatever info you can provide. Lynn mentioned making contributions to help for expenses and I will be glad to do that also.

My cousin Lynn Anderson has contacted you regarding our uncle SSgt. Louis J. Corradino 31030249. We are very grateful for your efforts this coming September in finding any information while in Ukhurl, India.

Our family is looking to raise some more funds to help you in your search. Whatever the outcome, you should be commended in your quest to giving families hope .

My name is Craig Campbell and I have been on sort of a "mission" to find out some information regarding my grandmother’s first husband Captain John S. Alley Jr. who was a B-29 pilot in WWII and flew with the 462nd Bomber Group out of the 58th Bomb Wing.

All my grandmother knew before she died was that the government told her that he died flying over the Himalayan Hump.

When I came across your website I couldn’t believe the coincidence. I was hoping you might be able to help me figure out where his plane went down or any information you might be able to give me.

The only information I have about his plane was from the 462nd website that has a picture of John and his crew standing in front of “Liberty Belle”. I’m not sure what the planes tail number was or any other important information regarding his plane. According to the CBI he was stationed at Piardoba, India.

Thank you for taking it upon yourself to find and bring home those who were lost during WWII. While the government did and still does what it can, it's a big world and the war encompassed most of it. And the local populations do feel more comfortable talking to individuals rather than officials. Your work brings comfort to the families. And it ensures that the sacrifices of that generation will not be forgotten.

I read with great interest your efforts to find missing planes and remains of servicemen. My mother's husband, C/P 2nd Lt. Glen Wiltbank was killed when his C-47 was shot down during a food drop. I think the number was #5783. 4 were killed and 2 survived by the document I was sent. I know how hard it was for my mother to know he had died, but for some with MIA's it was and must be heartbreaking. I applaud your efforts and hope you can continue to bring closure to the many families who have MIA servicemen.

I have just learned that you have found the wreckage of C-87, 41-23696. I have had a lifelong interest in this crash since my great aunt was married to the copilot's father. The fate of the copilot, Samuel E. Lunday Jr, has been a mystery for our family, and just before I learned of your discovery I obtained the report of his accident from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

Do you have any other information on the location of the crash? Can you reveal the GPS position? Will you post pictures on the internet?

According to Tom Miller of the CBI Message Center for CBI Veterans, you are interested in hearing from anyone desiring information of airplanes lost over the Hump in World War II. I would like to submit the following airplane if you should by chance have any information on it.

C-53 Transport airplane #128. Lost over the Hump on January 26, 1943 on a return flight from Yunnanyi, China to Sookerating, India. Crew aboard were Charles Floro, pilot; ? Alsop, copilot and Jack WIlliams, radio operator.

I was a fellow radio operator of Jack WIlliams at Sookerating. There has been no word of Jack and his airplane since it went down in January, 1943. His sister and I would be greatly interested if you should have any information about the airplane and what happened.

Your message to the CBI Message Center, Tom Miller, is wonderful news. You and your work are admired by all who flew the "hump" so long ago and lost so many of our comrades to the wiles of the worst flying conditions in the world. Personally, I made 116 trips over the "rock pile" as a radio operator in the ATC (Army of Terrified Civilians). What an education and, an experience one can never forget!

Thank you for all of us who managed to survive so long ago. We honor you every day and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

I just received my latest newsletter from Hump Pilots Assoc. and it said you were returning to Burma to try to find remains of aircraft lost. Please let me know if you find any wreckage or remains of a c-109 aircraft #44-49235 or Capt. Floyd F. Strohl Sn. #0424697. Both were lost on 5 January 1945 when en route from Kurmitola, India to Hsinching, China. Last contact by radio was over Imphal, India. None of the crew of five and aircraft were ever located. I am the next of kin to Capt. Floyd F. Strohl. We still pray that someday his aircraft will still be located. Good luck and may God bless you on your mission.

Important Notice: These MIA search expeditions and this website have been self-funded by Clayton Kuhles. We receive no funding from the US government or from any private organization. If you feel this is a worthwhile humanitarian project, then we encourage you to make a donation to support our efforts. Please visit the Funding page of this website to see how easy it is to support this project in a meaningful way. Thank you.