Blizzard, William A., 1927-1952

For his leadership and valor, Staff Sergeant Blizzard was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Staff Sergeant Blizzard was a crew member on a RB-29A with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, U.S. Air Force. On June 13, 1952, the aircraft departed Yokato Air Base, Honshu, Japan on an electronic surveillance mission. It was shot down by 2 Russian MiG-15's over the Sea of Japan south of Mys Ostrovnoy, north of Hokkaido and 120 miles from the Russian coast. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on November 15, 1955.

<p>Staff Sergeant Blizzard was a crew member on a RB-29A “Over Exposed” (# 44-61813) with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, U.S. Air Force.</p>

<p>On 13 June 1952, the aircraft departed Yokoto Air Base, Honshu, Japan on an electronic surveillance mission. It was shot down by 2 Russian MiG-15's over the Sea of Japan south of Mys Ostrovnoy, north of Hokkaido and 120 miles from the Russian coast. </p>

<p>Nothing was ever found of crew or aircraft.</p>

<p>Crew:</p>
<p>1st Lt. Robert J. McDonnell, Navigator</p>
<p>S/Sgt. Roscoe G. Becker, Right Scanner</p>
<p>S/Sgt. Eddie R. Berg, Tail Gunner</p>
<p>SSgt Leon F. Bonura, Left Scanner</p>
<p>MSgt. William R. Homer, Flight Engineer</p>
<p>Capt. Samuel D. Service, Radar Operator</p>
<p>1st. Lt. James A. Sculley, Pilot </p>
<p>Major Samuel N. Busch, Aircraft Commander </p>
<p>S/Sgt. William A. Blizzard , Radio Operator</p>
<p>S/Sgt. Miguel W. Monserrat, Central Fire Control Gunner</p>
<p>A1c Danny Pillsbury, Camera Operator</p>
<p>TSgt. David L. Moore</p>

<p>SSGT William Archibald Blizzard</p>
<p>Distinguished Flying Cross</p>
<p>91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron</p>
<p>Air Force</p>
<p>Hostile, Died While Missing (MIA)</p>
<p>Remains Not Recovered</p>
<p>Date Of Loss: June 13, 1952</p>
<p>Service Number: AF19244175</p>
<p>Born: October 29, 1927</p>
<p>Home Or Place Of Enlistment</p>
<p>Norfolk, Virginia</p>
<p>Location Or Battle Zone: Russia</p>
<p>Town Or Area: At Sea</p>
<p>Comments: Staff Sergeant Blizzard was a crew member on a RB-29A with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, U.S. Air Force. On June 13, 1952, the aircraft departed Yokato Air Base, Honshu, Japan on an electronic surveillance mission. It was shot down by 2 Russian MiG-15's over the Sea of Japan south of Mys Ostrovnoy, north of Hokkaido and 120 miles from the Russian coast. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on November 15, 1955.
Son of Mrs. W.A. Blizzard of San Diego, California.</p>

<p>The RB-29 Crew Shot Down on 13 JUN 52</p>

<p>June 13, 1952: US Air Force Aircraft</p>
<p>Lost in Sea of Japan/Kamchatka Peninsula Area</p>

<p>Date: 06/13/52</p>
<p>Aircraft: US Air Force B-29</p>
<p>Crew: 12 (no survivors or remains recovered)</p>

<p>Crewmembers:</p>

<p>Busch, Samuel N. .. MAJ Philadelphia, PA</p>
<p>Scully, James A. .. 1LT Philadelphia, PA</p>
<p>Service, Samuel D. .. 1LT Berkeley, CA</p>
<p>McDonnell, Robert J. .. 1LTOceanside, NY</p>
<p>Homer, William B. .. MSGJeanette PA</p>
<p>Moore, David L. .. MSG Ashland, KY</p>
<p>Blizzard, William A. .. SSG Arlington, CA</p>
<p>Monserrat, Miguel W. .. SSG Philadelphia, PA</p>
<p>Berg, Eddie R. .. SSG Blackduck, MN</p>
<p>Bonura, Leon F. .. SSG Beaumont, TX</p>
<p>Becker, Roscoe G. .. SSG Tillamoock, TX</p>
<p>Pillsbury, Danny A. .. A1C Orange, TX</p>

<p>This aircraft was apparently shot down either over the Sea of Japan or near the Kamchatka Peninsula of the USSR. No remains or survivors were recovered by US or allied forces. In the diplomatic note of July 17, 1956, noted above, the US Government states that:

<p>An officer, believed by the United States Government ti have been a member of this crew, was observed in October 1953, in a Soviet hospital north of Magadan near the crossing of the Kolyma River between Elgen and Debin at a place called Narionburg. This officer stated that he had been wrongfully convicted under Item 6 of Article 58 of the Soviet Penal Code.</p>

<p>13 Jun 52 – shot down in the Sea of Japan near the Kamchatka Peninsuula by Russian fighters. All 12 crew presumed killed. Later reported that an officer, believed to be a crewmember from this aircraft, was observed in a Soviet hospital at Narionburg near the Kolymar River in Oct 53. The USSR repeatedly denied holding any survivors from this aircraft.</p>