"Colonel Jennings was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the aircraft commander of a B-29A Superfortress Bomber with the 93rd Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Wing. On March 29, 1951, while on a combat mission, his aircraft lost two engines over the East China Sea, northwest of Okinawa. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 18, 1951." Source: http://koreanwar.org Other sources such as http://www.abmc.gov and the Korean War Veterans Honor Roll - WWI, WWI and Korean War Casualty Listings, Ancestry.com provide similar accounts, including that his remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

What the other narratives do not indicate is that Group Commander Colonel Payne Jennings' aircraft was carrying a VB-13 TARZON Bomb, an huge experimental 12,000 pound bomb. The 19th Bomb Group was the only unit with B-29s especially adapted to carry and drop the bomb: "The use and experimentaion of this device was discontinued with the loss of a 19th ship carrying the Group Commander, Colonel Payne Jennings, when they apparently had to salvo their Tarzon Bomb at very low level over the ocean because of engine failure, and the detonation concussion of the bomb took their aircraft and crew down with no survivors." Source: http://www.kmike.com/NoSweat/Pages/19thBomb.htm

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Payne Jennings, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in action near Sinuiju, Korea, on 8 November 1950.

Serving as Commanding Officer of the 19th Bombardment Group, FIFTH Air Force, Colonel Jennings led an aerial attack against Sinuiju, the well-defended temporary capitol of North Korea and an extremely important enemy communications and supply center. This city is located only 666 yards across the Yalu River from An-Tung, Manchuria. Enemy anti-aircraft artillery was located on both sides of the river and conventional and jet type aircraft were based in the area and expected to attack in force.

Colonel Jennings knew this target was vitally important to the enemy. He also wished to prevent possible international consequences of American aircraft crossing over or bombs dropping upon Manchuria. He therefore chose to lead his group in the mission which resulted in maximum destruction of all assigned targets. His courageous leadership served as inspiration to all members of his command.

The leadership and gallantry displayed by Colonel Jennings are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 115 (November 19, 1950)

Action Date: 8-Nov-50

Service: Air Force

Rank: Colonel

Regiment: 19th Bombardment Group

Division: 5th Air Force

Source: http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=25176

Jennings, Payne, Jr., Col