Kadena AB, Okinawa, 1951–1952 — 19th Bomb Group
What's Here
The photographs below are from the collections of Edward P. Brooks
and Alfred E. Leiser, who were stationed with the 19th Bomb Group at
Kadena Air Base in Okinawa during the Korean War. They show the
aftermath of Uncle Edward's encounter with a MiG over North Korea as
well as contrasting activity at the Officers' Club.
Surnames Appearing in the Documents
ADAMS,
BLEYER,
BRECKINRIDGE,
BREWER,
BROOKS,
CAMERON,
COUCH,
CRISS,
DAILY,
DOLLOHAN,
HOLCOMB,
LEISER,
OLIVER,
PARSONS,
PAUL,
PRESTON,
SAWYER,
SWANSON,
THOMPSON,
WERNER
Notes
Captions are from Doc Leiser's inscriptions on the reverse of the
photos. The photographer is not yet determined.
Uncle Edward mentions that in addition to the damage shown below,
his number three and number four engines weren't working, and that
they bulldozed the end-of-runway fence to give him more landing
room, although it turned out he didn't need it. For this performance
he got a Distinguished Flying Cross.
The Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, has
a short history of the 19th BG's Korean
War activity.
Uncle Edward died on 17 June 2014. Read his obituary here.
Revision History
- 02 December 2008, revision 1.
- Initial publication.
- 04 July 2014, revision 2.
- Link to Ed's obituary.
Photographs
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B29 (Kadena, Okinawa). Hit on bomb run at Yalu River 1952.
Bombardier had his leg blown off. Flight surgeon on crew's roster
with a sophisticated 1st aid kit! Plane landed safely at Kimpo.
Bombardier survived.
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B29 (Kadena, Okinawa) 1952. One of many hits the plane took —
and with many controls damaged and not working the pilot (operation
officer) [Brooks] still was able to land safely at Kimpo.
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| B29 (Kadena, Okinawa) 1952. Hit by Migs — Yalu River. |
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| L-> R Brooks, Holcomb, Werner, Adams, Thompson, Oliver, me [Leiser], Cameron, Parsons, Daily. |
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| 19th Bomb Group, Kadena, 1951-1952. Col. Werner, Col. Bleyer in front of curtain. |
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| 19th Bomb Gp., Kadena, Okin. (1951-52). Thompson, Oliver, Swanson, Paul, Sawyer, Criss, Leiser, Cameron, Couch, Parsons. |
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| 19th Bomb Group, Kadena, Okinawa 1952. Thompson standing, Dollohan sitting (scowling) to left. |
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Col. Bleyer standing. Col. Werner to his right then Col. Preston.
Col. Breckinridge to left w/ cig., then Col. Criss, Col. Brewer. On
end is Col. Couch.
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| 19th Bomb Group, Kadena, Okinawa (1951-1952). Dollohan standing. |
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