Alex/RSwank,
I think we can eliminate the A-20's. Here is one of the contemporary newspaper reports, note the date:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61940060
There is no doubt about the year of death.
Seems odd that 9th AF HQ could issue an edict, and no mention can be found in the loss records, particularly of a war correspondent.
He was definitely attached to the 386th Bomb Group - he is mentioned in their Honor Roll:
http://www.b26.com/historian/chester...bomb_group.pdf
see: pp.27-8 of 73.
The 10 August 1944 mission (# 250), was to the Fresnes RR Bridge (p.26 of 73)
Thanks,
Col.