454th BG 737 Sq-Casualties July 16,1944

[kaki3152]

I'm currently working on a database of USAAF/Allied KIA from the air operations at Vis Island 1944-1945.

On July 16,1944 there were reported three casualties from the 737th BS, 454th BG on Vis Island. Trying to find out the serial number of the B-24 and whether they were killed as a result of a crash or were KIA while participating in the mission on this date. On July 16,1944, the 15th AF attacked Vienna. The personnel were:

Lt. Charles J. Bland - O-806393
Sgt Robert A. Spicer - 1533058
Lt. Harry R. Mattson - O-752577

Any help appreciated.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

There was one other casualty aboard the 737BS/454BG B-24 on 16 July, 1944:

2Lt Carroll L. Wattenbarger O-535004.

Killed 16 Jul 44, a week after his 22nd birthday when his B-24 (ser. # unknown) was returning from having bombed Muenchendorf aerodrome, near Vienna, Austria, when it crash-landed on Vis. In December 1946 his remains were reinterred (from Milna Allied War Cemetery, Vis), in the US. Military Cemetery, Belgrade, Plot B, Row 11, Grave 266. Upon closure of that cemetery in 1948, his remains were repatriated and permanently reinterred in Forest Hill Cemetery, Canton, South Dakota.

See:
Vis - The Last Hope RAF Station Vis 1944-1945.
Frka, Danijel.
Zagreb: Despot Infinitus,2021.
p.379.

Col.

[kaki3152]

It's funny, Find a Grave has the following: "Second Lieutenant Wattenbarger lost his life in a crash landing on July 16, 1944 in Romania" It probably should be Vis Island.

[RSwank]

1944 newspaper stories on the four men.

Wattenbarger
https://www.newspapers.com/article/a...der/130272024/

Bland
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...tte/130272181/

Spicer
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...lic/130272440/

Mattson (date of death incorrect in article)
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...tar/130272691/

[kaki3152]

it seems almost definite that the cause of death for all 4 crewmen was a crash landing at Vis Island. It's too bad the serial number of the B-24 is unknown.