Staff Sergeant Francis Prent Bufkin, Jr. was a Radio Operator and Gunner with the 12th Air Force; 57th Bombardment Wing; 321st Bombardment Group; 446th Bombardment Squadron; stationed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, (MTO). His Hometown was Hazelhurst, Copiah County, Mississippi.

After completing 62 Combat Missions aboard B-25 Medium Bomber Aircraft; SSgt. Bufkin was returned to the U.S. for a well deserved furlough.

SSGT. Francis P. Bufkin, Jr. was later assigned to the 2nd Transport Squadron, and stationed in the Pacific Theater of Operations, (PTO).

ON 7 April 1945, Accident of C-46 #43-47211; MACR: 13692; in which ship took off from Hanchung for Liangshan and was never found. The missing crew were: Pilot F/0 R.W. Fiske; Co. Pilot, 2nd Lt. R.K. Hill; Radio Operator, T/Sgt F. Bufkin, Flight Engineer, T/Sgt B.W. Wright.

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Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando; Serial#:43-47211; MACR: 13692; Flying from Hanchung, to Liangshan; Went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in an isolated area somewhere in China. The wreckage was never found.

The Crew:
Pilot: F/O Robert M. Fiske
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert K.Hill
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Francis P. Bufkin Jr.
Flight Engineer: T/Sgt Bert N. Wright

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FRANCIS PRENT BUFKIN, JR.
Birth: Sep. 12, 1920
Death: Apr. 7, 1945

Francis P Bufkin, Jr