https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56121705/walter-herbert-schroeder

Enlisted (ASN: 16059820) in the Army Air Corps on 2 March 1942 at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Selected for the Aviation Cadet Program, he completed Primary and Basic flight training. Then Advanced flight training while assigned to the 932nd Twin Engine Flying Training Squadron at Marfa Army Air Field, Texas.

Assigned to aircrew #84-14 and underwent B-29 aircraft transition and combat crew training at Harvard Army Air Field, Nebraska. In December 1944, he deployed to the Central Pacific Theatre of Operations and was assigned to 20th Air Force, XXI Bomber Command, 313th Bomb Wing, 505th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), 484th Bomb Squadron stationed at North Field on Tinian in the Mariana Islands.

On 10 February 1945, he flew as the Airplane Command (APC) Pilot aboard a Boeing B-29-50-BW (Boeing Wichita) Superfortress (serial #42-24867) Tail Code: K-Triangle-867.

It was one of 120 aircraft launched in a multi-wing group formation to bombard the Nakajima Aircraft Assembly Plant at Ota on the northwest side of Tokyo, Japan. After a flight of approximately seven hours and some 1,200 nautical miles, his aircraft reached their check-point above Mount Fuji on the main island of Honshu, and began their bomb-run northeast towards the Tokyo area.

While over the target area, the group was attacked by a band of Nakajima Ki-44 single-engine "Tojo" fighter planes. His B-29 aircraft was forced out of group formation and shot down, resulting in the loss of the aircrew.

Initially listed as MIA, he was declared KIA one year later on 11 Feb 1946.

Ref: MACR 12150

APC Pilot: SCHROEDER, Walter Herbert, Jr. Lt. 0-732077 KIA

Pilot: TRUITT, Milton Otis, Jr. First sister 0-768757 KIA

Navigator: SHULMAN, Herbert Leon First sister 0-70332 KIA

Bombardier: O-760175Robert F Jeffries 2Lt OHIO 10-2-1945 B-29 #42-24867

Flt Engr: BURKHART, Arthur Lloyd TSgt 13051883 KIA

RADAR Operator: PRESTERA, Francis T. Corporal 11139201 KIA

Wireless: BEDNAR, Steve Jr. Sergeant 13174391 KIA

CFC Ring Gunner: EDWARDS, Alfonso Gordon Sergeant 37069803 KIA

LBGun: PILGRIM, Joseph John Corporal 36867554 KIA

RBGun: MINKWITZ, Edwin Leroy Corporal 42082640 KIA

Tail Gunner: MURZYCKI, Louis Roman Corporal 31417332 KIA

O-732077**Walter H Schroeder, Jr. **1Lt Illinois 10-FEB-1945 B-29 #42-24867

Walter H Schroeder Jr