Copyright 2014/2023 Paul R. Martin III. All rights reserved, no portion of this book/photographs/website may be used or reproduced without expressed written permission of the author, Paul R. Martin III.
"Hot As Hell"
Crews transporting supplies over the Himalayas also faced risks. The fate of five 425th BS aircraft, all lost on the same day demonstrates that ferry flights were not routine when flying through the unpredictable weather above the Hump.
Hot As Hell B-24J #42-73308, Haley’s Comet, Pistol Packin’ Mama, Sheherazade and one other un-named B-24 were dispatched for a supply mission from Kunmimg to Chabua at 0740 on January 25, 1944.[1] By 1045 the aircraft cleared the mountain peaks of Western China and Northern Burma[2] but soon fell victim to the winter weather. In the Assam Valley the formation separated due to extreme weather conditions. All airplanes proceeded individually to Chabua or fields in the immediate vicinity. At 1130, most planes made instrument approaches for fields in the valley. The ceiling was at tree-top level with visibility less than one mile.[3]
Lt. Werner and his crew in Pistol Packin’ Mama circled above Chabua until running out of gas.[4] All bailed out successfully, landing unharmed near the field.[5] Six crewmen including pilots Capt. Tooman and Lt. Starcher of the un-named plane jumped safely near Dinjan and eventually returned to base.[6] A new crew commanded by Capt. Corey and Lt. Lazzerini in old Sherezade #41-24293, crashed a few miles short of the runway at Chabua, killing all but two gunnery sergeants,[7] Donald L. McQueen and George, M. Keefauver.[8] Haley’s Comet, #42-73242,[9] flown by squadron commander Major Harry B. Musinski,[10] with his crew of seven and four passengers including the 425th’s Flight Surgeon Lt. Charles H. Mortimer,[11] went down somewhere in the vicinity, never to be heard from again.
Piloted by 1st. Lt. William A. Swanson with a diminished crew of seven,[12] Hot As Hell was last observed leaving the formation on a northwesterly course at 15,000 feet. They were carrying 5 1/2 to 6 hours of fuel, giving them a safety margin of two hours,[13] but Hot As Hell failed to arrive at its destination and was never located.
One year and one day later with no further word of their fate, and following a review of their MACRs, a board of officers issued a finding of “presumed dead” for the entire crew of both Haley’s Comet and HAH, under provisions of the Missing Persons Act of 7 March 1942.[14] Official notification of the families followed. “I regret the necessity for this measure, but trust that the ending of a long period of uncertainty may give at least some small measure of consolation,” wrote an Air Force Major General in a letter from the War department to HAH’s co-pilot Sheldon Chambers’ mother, dated January 26, 1946.[15]
Several years after the war, AGRS-China Zone search and recovery teams scoured the area between the Mekong and Salween Rivers from July 24 through September 5, 1947. Site observations, gathered information and area crash evidence from local magistrates and missionaries yielded no new information on Swanson’s or Musinski’s crews. “Since no information on the whereabouts of this aircraft or its crew members has been reported and recorded in subject crash record, it is beyond all reasonable doubt that this aircraft and crew members were lost in flight at a point which is unrecorded and which could not be located after diligent search.”[16]
A board of officers reviewed the findings and on October 21, 1947 recommended the two missing crew’s status be changed to “Killed in Flight, Bodies Unrecoverable.”[17] On March 25, 1948, another AGRS China Zone board reassessed the file to determine the merit of further search. They recommended, “in view of the findings, the Board recommends that no further attempts towards recovery of the subject decedents be made and that the remains be declared non-recoverable....”,[18] Their final statement acknowledged the main obstacle impeding recovery of most aircraft lost in the CBI Theater. “The wreckage of this aircraft was never located and the area of probability encompasses many thousand square miles of mountainous, jungle terrain, some of it inaccessible, unexplored and uninhabited.”[19]
The names of Hot As Hell’s crew; Lt. Swanson, co-pilot F/O Sheldon L. Chambers, Navigator 1st. Lt. Irwin G. Zaetz, bombardier 1st. Lt. Robert E. Oxford, engineer S/Sgt. Charles D. Ginn, radio-op, S/Sgt. Harry B. Queen, gunner Sgt. James A.
Hinson and gunner Sgt. Alfred H. Gerrans, Jr.[20] are memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines,[21] as are those of Haley’s Comet; Maj. Harry H. Musinski, co-pilot 2nd Lt. Toney W. Gochnauer, Navigator 2nd Lt. John B. Frazier, Bombardier 2nd. Lt. George R. Maupin, Radio operator T/Sgt. Joseph P. Kurta, engineer T/Sgt. Wellington W. Hull, S/Sgt. John W. Karns, S/Sgt Donah L Adams, and passengers 1st. Lt. Charles P. Mortimer, T/Sgt. Edward W. Higgins, T/Sgt. Jack R. Ferguson, and S/Sgt. Robert O. Watson.[22]
[1] Aircraft Accident and Incident Report (AAIR) 44-01-25-523, 5-15-1944
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid.
[4] Foster, John T., China:Up And Down, The 308th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of The Flying Tigers: The Men, The B-24’s and the Events From 1943-1945, Academy Books, Rutland, VT, 1994, p.178
[5] Glines, Carroll V., Chennault’s Forgotten Warriors: The Saga of The 308th Bomb Group In China, Schiffer Publishing Ltd. Atglen, PA, 1995, p. 120
[6] Foster. p. 178, Glines, p. 121
[7] Foster. p. 178
[8] Glines. p. 120
[9] MACR # 2139, 1-25-1944
[10] Foster. p. 178
[11] Glines. p. 120
[12] Maher, Capt. James E., MACR 10071, 2140, 9943, 1-27-1944
[13] Aircraft Accident and Incident Report (AAIR) 44-01-25-523, 5-15-1944
[14] Finding Of Death Of Missing Person, 2012A-998, 1-26-46
[15] Young, Jay M., Return of the Missing, Altoona Mirror, 2-24-2008 http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/504961.html. 6-13-2008
[16] Taylor, Capt. Harold L., Michel, Capt. W. M., Stamn, Capt. John J., casualty Clearance and case Review, American Graves Registration Service-India-Burma Zone, Case no. 567, October 21, 1947
[17] ibid.
[18] Stanforb-Blunden, Lt. Col. E.E., Commanding, report of Proceedings of Board of Officers on personnel aboard B-24J AAF Serial Number 42-73308, AGRS-India-Burma Zone,3-25-48
[19] ibid.
[20] MACR 9943. 1-25-1944
[21] ABMC, American Battle Monuments Commission, http://www.abmc.gov, 2-4-2005
[22] MACR 2139, 1-25-1944, ABMC, American Battle Monuments Commission, http://www.abmc.gov, 2-4-2005
Hot As Hell B-24J #42-73308, Haley’s Comet, Pistol Packin’ Mama, Sheherazade and one other un-named B-24 were dispatched for a supply mission from Kunmimg to Chabua at 0740 on January 25, 1944.[1] By 1045 the aircraft cleared the mountain peaks of Western China and Northern Burma[2] but soon fell victim to the winter weather. In the Assam Valley the formation separated due to extreme weather conditions. All airplanes proceeded individually to Chabua or fields in the immediate vicinity. At 1130, most planes made instrument approaches for fields in the valley. The ceiling was at tree-top level with visibility less than one mile.[3]
Lt. Werner and his crew in Pistol Packin’ Mama circled above Chabua until running out of gas.[4] All bailed out successfully, landing unharmed near the field.[5] Six crewmen including pilots Capt. Tooman and Lt. Starcher of the un-named plane jumped safely near Dinjan and eventually returned to base.[6] A new crew commanded by Capt. Corey and Lt. Lazzerini in old Sherezade #41-24293, crashed a few miles short of the runway at Chabua, killing all but two gunnery sergeants,[7] Donald L. McQueen and George, M. Keefauver.[8] Haley’s Comet, #42-73242,[9] flown by squadron commander Major Harry B. Musinski,[10] with his crew of seven and four passengers including the 425th’s Flight Surgeon Lt. Charles H. Mortimer,[11] went down somewhere in the vicinity, never to be heard from again.
Piloted by 1st. Lt. William A. Swanson with a diminished crew of seven,[12] Hot As Hell was last observed leaving the formation on a northwesterly course at 15,000 feet. They were carrying 5 1/2 to 6 hours of fuel, giving them a safety margin of two hours,[13] but Hot As Hell failed to arrive at its destination and was never located.
One year and one day later with no further word of their fate, and following a review of their MACRs, a board of officers issued a finding of “presumed dead” for the entire crew of both Haley’s Comet and HAH, under provisions of the Missing Persons Act of 7 March 1942.[14] Official notification of the families followed. “I regret the necessity for this measure, but trust that the ending of a long period of uncertainty may give at least some small measure of consolation,” wrote an Air Force Major General in a letter from the War department to HAH’s co-pilot Sheldon Chambers’ mother, dated January 26, 1946.[15]
Several years after the war, AGRS-China Zone search and recovery teams scoured the area between the Mekong and Salween Rivers from July 24 through September 5, 1947. Site observations, gathered information and area crash evidence from local magistrates and missionaries yielded no new information on Swanson’s or Musinski’s crews. “Since no information on the whereabouts of this aircraft or its crew members has been reported and recorded in subject crash record, it is beyond all reasonable doubt that this aircraft and crew members were lost in flight at a point which is unrecorded and which could not be located after diligent search.”[16]
A board of officers reviewed the findings and on October 21, 1947 recommended the two missing crew’s status be changed to “Killed in Flight, Bodies Unrecoverable.”[17] On March 25, 1948, another AGRS China Zone board reassessed the file to determine the merit of further search. They recommended, “in view of the findings, the Board recommends that no further attempts towards recovery of the subject decedents be made and that the remains be declared non-recoverable....”,[18] Their final statement acknowledged the main obstacle impeding recovery of most aircraft lost in the CBI Theater. “The wreckage of this aircraft was never located and the area of probability encompasses many thousand square miles of mountainous, jungle terrain, some of it inaccessible, unexplored and uninhabited.”[19]
The names of Hot As Hell’s crew; Lt. Swanson, co-pilot F/O Sheldon L. Chambers, Navigator 1st. Lt. Irwin G. Zaetz, bombardier 1st. Lt. Robert E. Oxford, engineer S/Sgt. Charles D. Ginn, radio-op, S/Sgt. Harry B. Queen, gunner Sgt. James A.
Hinson and gunner Sgt. Alfred H. Gerrans, Jr.[20] are memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines,[21] as are those of Haley’s Comet; Maj. Harry H. Musinski, co-pilot 2nd Lt. Toney W. Gochnauer, Navigator 2nd Lt. John B. Frazier, Bombardier 2nd. Lt. George R. Maupin, Radio operator T/Sgt. Joseph P. Kurta, engineer T/Sgt. Wellington W. Hull, S/Sgt. John W. Karns, S/Sgt Donah L Adams, and passengers 1st. Lt. Charles P. Mortimer, T/Sgt. Edward W. Higgins, T/Sgt. Jack R. Ferguson, and S/Sgt. Robert O. Watson.[22]
[1] Aircraft Accident and Incident Report (AAIR) 44-01-25-523, 5-15-1944
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid.
[4] Foster, John T., China:Up And Down, The 308th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of The Flying Tigers: The Men, The B-24’s and the Events From 1943-1945, Academy Books, Rutland, VT, 1994, p.178
[5] Glines, Carroll V., Chennault’s Forgotten Warriors: The Saga of The 308th Bomb Group In China, Schiffer Publishing Ltd. Atglen, PA, 1995, p. 120
[6] Foster. p. 178, Glines, p. 121
[7] Foster. p. 178
[8] Glines. p. 120
[9] MACR # 2139, 1-25-1944
[10] Foster. p. 178
[11] Glines. p. 120
[12] Maher, Capt. James E., MACR 10071, 2140, 9943, 1-27-1944
[13] Aircraft Accident and Incident Report (AAIR) 44-01-25-523, 5-15-1944
[14] Finding Of Death Of Missing Person, 2012A-998, 1-26-46
[15] Young, Jay M., Return of the Missing, Altoona Mirror, 2-24-2008 http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/504961.html. 6-13-2008
[16] Taylor, Capt. Harold L., Michel, Capt. W. M., Stamn, Capt. John J., casualty Clearance and case Review, American Graves Registration Service-India-Burma Zone, Case no. 567, October 21, 1947
[17] ibid.
[18] Stanforb-Blunden, Lt. Col. E.E., Commanding, report of Proceedings of Board of Officers on personnel aboard B-24J AAF Serial Number 42-73308, AGRS-India-Burma Zone,3-25-48
[19] ibid.
[20] MACR 9943. 1-25-1944
[21] ABMC, American Battle Monuments Commission, http://www.abmc.gov, 2-4-2005
[22] MACR 2139, 1-25-1944, ABMC, American Battle Monuments Commission, http://www.abmc.gov, 2-4-2005
Clayton Kuhles is a real-estate businessman from Prescott Arizona whose passion is searching for missing aircraft while mountain climbing in Southeast Asia. Kuhles researches MACRs and last contact information and talks with local residents near those areas to glean information for locating wrecks. To date he has discovered 14 different crash sites, eight of which have been positively identified.[1]
One of Kuhles’ recent discoveries occurred on December 7, 2006: Pearl Harbor Day, following a tip from a local hunting guide. “It took a couple of days to reach the site.” Kuhles said. “The paths are unrecognizable to most people. They are two inches wide. I had to totally depend on the Hunter’s expertise.”[2] Debris was scattered about and a large wing section leaned against a tree. Kuhles shined a flashlight inside the torn open wing to glimpse four hand painted numbers, 2878.[3]
No human remains were visible in the snow cover, but the hunter informed Kuhles he had seen human bones during previous visits. “It was unlikely any remains were touched because people in the area are very superstitious about disturbing human bones and remains.” remarked Kuhles.[4] When descending darkness prompted their leaving the site, Kuhles started walking back down. He noticed a small, neat, stack of aluminum alongside the trail, previously gathered by his guide to carry down the mountain for sale to a scrap dealer. Quickly inspecting each piece with his flashlight, Kuhles turned over the very last one. Stenciled on the backside was the identical number to the one inside the wing. Kuhles knew he found a key clue for identifying the aircraft.[5]
Kuhles submitted an archeological site report to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) upon his return to civilization, detailing his discovery and all pertinent information.[6] Then he contacted friend and colleague, Matt Poole, a long time CBI MACR researcher whose assistance has been invaluable to Kuhles. Matt perused his B-24 serial number database of over 18,000 B-24’s that revealed no corresponding numbers and surmised 2878 was the airplane’s construction number. In an incredible piece of investigative research and deductive reasoning, Poole cross referenced several databases to narrow the markings down to one aircraft: Kuhles had discovered B-24J #42-73308, Hot As Hell and her crew,[7] lost during a supply run from Kunmimg China to Chabua India on January 25, 1944.[8]
The site is located in mountainous jungle terrain, about ten miles north of the town of Damrah in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India at an elevation of 9,404 feet. Kuhles believed the aircraft crashed into the side of a mountain and fell into a ravine surrounded by rocks and trees.[9] He posted his find on his website www.MIArecoveries.org along with 16 photos, the aircraft serial number and a listing of the crew, hoping family members would find it and contact him.
1st. Lt. Irwin G. Zaetz, 26, from Burlington, served as navigator on the crew of Chug-a-lug. On January 25, 1944, he filled in at the last-minute for Hot As Hell’s regular navigator who was ill.[10] The navigator’s nephew, Gary Zaetz, searched the internet and found Kuhles website. Gary informed his father, Larry, Irwin’s younger brother who contacted Kuhles. The three men with descendants of the other seven crew members who Gary tracked down, have worked with JPAC to get back to India to investigate and excavate the site.[11]
On July 3, 2008, The North Carolina General Assembly passed by a unanimous vote, House Joint Resolution 2798, honoring the crew of Hot As Hell and commending Clayton Kuhles for his efforts in discovering the plane.[12] Sgt. James A. Hinson was a native of Greensboro, NC and Sgt. Alfred H. Gerrans was a native of Kinston, NC. Co-pilot, F/O Sheldon “Shell” Chambers, from Homers Gap outside of Altoona, PA, was the uncle of Shirley Black of Mocksville, NC, and 1st. Lt. Irwin Zaetz was the uncle of Gary Zaetz of Cary, NC.[13] Gary, his wife and four children were asked to rise and accept the applause of the legislators for the crew and Kuhles.[14] The other crewmen honored were Pilot, 1st. Lt. (Capt.) William A. Swanson,[15] Bombardier, 1st. Lt. Robert E. Oxford, Engineer S/Sgt. Charles D. Ginn and radio operator S/Sgt. Harry B. Queen.[16]
Gary Zaetz planned an unofficial visit to the crash site with Kuhles and other crew descendants after monsoon season, hopefully by the end of 2008. JPAC hopes by the end of the year to survey and assess the site to schedule and plan for the excavation and retrieval of human remains, sometime in 2009.[17]
All who spend their life on earth leaves behind a small part of them; carried forever within whose hearts they touched, never forgotten by those who loved them. Shell Chambers’ brother LeRoy, spoke often of his missing brother and shared memories with his son Steve. “Shell was always a presence in my life,” said Steve, who with his father built a Liberator model to honor his uncle that hung in Steve’s childhood bedroom. “I used to envision Shell and his crew, still up there in the clouds.”[18] Soon, after 66 long years, Shell Chambers and his crewmates may finally be flying home!
[1] Kuhles, Clayton, Telephone interview, 07-14-2008. Kuhles just recently determined the location of another 308th B-24, confirmed by JPAC who asked Kuhles for assistance in finding it. B-24 42-100184, lost 5-25-44, MACR 5292 (“Zoot Chute” as per Foreman, p. 132)
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid.
[4] ibid.
[5] ibid.
[6] Kuhles, Clayton, JPAC Archaeological Site Report Form B-24J serial# 42-73308, 12-2006
[7] Poole, Matt, personal research notes, 07-14-2008
[8] See Chapter 10
[9] Kuhles, Clayton, ibid.
[10] Hemingway, Sam, Burlington Free Press, 12-17-2007 http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article/Date=20071216
[11] Phone conversation with Gary Zaetz, 07-13-2008
[12] Perdue, Beverly, E., President of the Senate, Hackney, Joe, Speaker of the House of Representatives. General Assembly of North Carolina, 07-03-2008, http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/HTML/H2798v2.html 07-13-2008
[13] ibid.
[14] Email from Gary Zaetz, 07-04-2008
[15] Coffin, Capt. Sanford, Mathews, Enoch H., Review of Circumstances Surrounding the Disappearance of Personnel Presumed dead, 11-13-47, Swanson was promoted to Captain, February 1, 1944,
[16] Perdue, Beverly, E., President of the Senate, Hackney, Joe, Speaker of the House of Representatives. General Assembly of North Carolina, 07-03-2008, http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/HTML/H2798v2.html 07-13-2008
[17] Phone conversation with Gary Zaetz, 07-13-2008
[18] Young, Jay M., Return of the Missing, Altoona Mirror, 2-24-2008 http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/504961.html. 6-13-2008
One of Kuhles’ recent discoveries occurred on December 7, 2006: Pearl Harbor Day, following a tip from a local hunting guide. “It took a couple of days to reach the site.” Kuhles said. “The paths are unrecognizable to most people. They are two inches wide. I had to totally depend on the Hunter’s expertise.”[2] Debris was scattered about and a large wing section leaned against a tree. Kuhles shined a flashlight inside the torn open wing to glimpse four hand painted numbers, 2878.[3]
No human remains were visible in the snow cover, but the hunter informed Kuhles he had seen human bones during previous visits. “It was unlikely any remains were touched because people in the area are very superstitious about disturbing human bones and remains.” remarked Kuhles.[4] When descending darkness prompted their leaving the site, Kuhles started walking back down. He noticed a small, neat, stack of aluminum alongside the trail, previously gathered by his guide to carry down the mountain for sale to a scrap dealer. Quickly inspecting each piece with his flashlight, Kuhles turned over the very last one. Stenciled on the backside was the identical number to the one inside the wing. Kuhles knew he found a key clue for identifying the aircraft.[5]
Kuhles submitted an archeological site report to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) upon his return to civilization, detailing his discovery and all pertinent information.[6] Then he contacted friend and colleague, Matt Poole, a long time CBI MACR researcher whose assistance has been invaluable to Kuhles. Matt perused his B-24 serial number database of over 18,000 B-24’s that revealed no corresponding numbers and surmised 2878 was the airplane’s construction number. In an incredible piece of investigative research and deductive reasoning, Poole cross referenced several databases to narrow the markings down to one aircraft: Kuhles had discovered B-24J #42-73308, Hot As Hell and her crew,[7] lost during a supply run from Kunmimg China to Chabua India on January 25, 1944.[8]
The site is located in mountainous jungle terrain, about ten miles north of the town of Damrah in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India at an elevation of 9,404 feet. Kuhles believed the aircraft crashed into the side of a mountain and fell into a ravine surrounded by rocks and trees.[9] He posted his find on his website www.MIArecoveries.org along with 16 photos, the aircraft serial number and a listing of the crew, hoping family members would find it and contact him.
1st. Lt. Irwin G. Zaetz, 26, from Burlington, served as navigator on the crew of Chug-a-lug. On January 25, 1944, he filled in at the last-minute for Hot As Hell’s regular navigator who was ill.[10] The navigator’s nephew, Gary Zaetz, searched the internet and found Kuhles website. Gary informed his father, Larry, Irwin’s younger brother who contacted Kuhles. The three men with descendants of the other seven crew members who Gary tracked down, have worked with JPAC to get back to India to investigate and excavate the site.[11]
On July 3, 2008, The North Carolina General Assembly passed by a unanimous vote, House Joint Resolution 2798, honoring the crew of Hot As Hell and commending Clayton Kuhles for his efforts in discovering the plane.[12] Sgt. James A. Hinson was a native of Greensboro, NC and Sgt. Alfred H. Gerrans was a native of Kinston, NC. Co-pilot, F/O Sheldon “Shell” Chambers, from Homers Gap outside of Altoona, PA, was the uncle of Shirley Black of Mocksville, NC, and 1st. Lt. Irwin Zaetz was the uncle of Gary Zaetz of Cary, NC.[13] Gary, his wife and four children were asked to rise and accept the applause of the legislators for the crew and Kuhles.[14] The other crewmen honored were Pilot, 1st. Lt. (Capt.) William A. Swanson,[15] Bombardier, 1st. Lt. Robert E. Oxford, Engineer S/Sgt. Charles D. Ginn and radio operator S/Sgt. Harry B. Queen.[16]
Gary Zaetz planned an unofficial visit to the crash site with Kuhles and other crew descendants after monsoon season, hopefully by the end of 2008. JPAC hopes by the end of the year to survey and assess the site to schedule and plan for the excavation and retrieval of human remains, sometime in 2009.[17]
All who spend their life on earth leaves behind a small part of them; carried forever within whose hearts they touched, never forgotten by those who loved them. Shell Chambers’ brother LeRoy, spoke often of his missing brother and shared memories with his son Steve. “Shell was always a presence in my life,” said Steve, who with his father built a Liberator model to honor his uncle that hung in Steve’s childhood bedroom. “I used to envision Shell and his crew, still up there in the clouds.”[18] Soon, after 66 long years, Shell Chambers and his crewmates may finally be flying home!
[1] Kuhles, Clayton, Telephone interview, 07-14-2008. Kuhles just recently determined the location of another 308th B-24, confirmed by JPAC who asked Kuhles for assistance in finding it. B-24 42-100184, lost 5-25-44, MACR 5292 (“Zoot Chute” as per Foreman, p. 132)
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid.
[4] ibid.
[5] ibid.
[6] Kuhles, Clayton, JPAC Archaeological Site Report Form B-24J serial# 42-73308, 12-2006
[7] Poole, Matt, personal research notes, 07-14-2008
[8] See Chapter 10
[9] Kuhles, Clayton, ibid.
[10] Hemingway, Sam, Burlington Free Press, 12-17-2007 http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article/Date=20071216
[11] Phone conversation with Gary Zaetz, 07-13-2008
[12] Perdue, Beverly, E., President of the Senate, Hackney, Joe, Speaker of the House of Representatives. General Assembly of North Carolina, 07-03-2008, http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/HTML/H2798v2.html 07-13-2008
[13] ibid.
[14] Email from Gary Zaetz, 07-04-2008
[15] Coffin, Capt. Sanford, Mathews, Enoch H., Review of Circumstances Surrounding the Disappearance of Personnel Presumed dead, 11-13-47, Swanson was promoted to Captain, February 1, 1944,
[16] Perdue, Beverly, E., President of the Senate, Hackney, Joe, Speaker of the House of Representatives. General Assembly of North Carolina, 07-03-2008, http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/HTML/H2798v2.html 07-13-2008
[17] Phone conversation with Gary Zaetz, 07-13-2008
[18] Young, Jay M., Return of the Missing, Altoona Mirror, 2-24-2008 http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/504961.html. 6-13-2008