1LT Raleigh Eugene Phelps (1922-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

Bombardier Class 43-01 at Victorville AAF, California.

Subsequently assigned as HQS Wing Bombardier-Navigator, to 873rd Bomb Squadron, 498th Bombardment Group, 73rd Bomb Wing, XXI Bomber Command, 20th Air Force, stationed at Isely Field on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.

MACR 13766

O-735919Raleigh E Phelps 1Lt NC 1-APRIL-1945 B-29 #42-24614 T-SQ-5

On Sunday 1 April 1945, he flew as the Bomb-Nav Wing Observer aboard a Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress, serial #42-24614 nicknamed “Joltin’ Josie, The Pacific Pioneer” (tail code: T-Square-5). It 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.

His aircraft 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.