Sgt Clark Kuntz - Tail Gunner 425 BS 308th BG - 14th AAF CBI China Burma India 1943/44

Work in progress 7/15/02

The 14th AAF along with the 10th Airforces are little recognized units of WWII. People think of the Shark Mouth P-40's of the volunteer group the AVG (Flying Tigers)that provided the scant news of victory in early 1942 . This unit disolved in mid 1942 and the cadre of air and ground staff that stayed behind was used to form the nucleus of the 14th AAF. Unlike the 8th in Europe and the 5th in New Guinea the theater was remote. Being at the end of the longest logistical line in the war it had little media coverage. As the naval battles and island hopping campaign took center stage the CBI (China Burma India) recieved even less attention though the majority of the Japanese Army and a great deal of her airforces were tied up there in 1943 and 1944. That contribution kept aircraft away from Macarthurs drive in New Guinea. By their own admission the enemy command later said of the 14th AAF, "Had it not been for their interference the Japanses Army could have gone virtually anywhwere in China they wanted." In particular the 425th and its companion units fought a battle every bit as savage as the skies over Schwinefurt, Ploeisti, Rabaul and Guadalcanal in 1943. Clark was one of the few survivors of that early campaign where the bombers went through without escorts and regardless of the odds. In 1943 the chances of a crew surviving their complete tour of duty was statistically impossible. Unlike their counterparts in other theaters they had to fly their own supplies in for missions over the worst terrain in the world. This claimed more aircraft than the enemy. He has passed on but his daughter has gathered some of his story that we will host here in the coming weeks.

Clark W. Kuntz, was born January 16th 1922 in Big Run, Pennsylvania.
The B-24 Hot as Hell with the appropriate artwork adorning the nose.
A few of Clarks crew Clarks Blood Chit. This small Nationalist flag (much larger in life size) stated that the bearer was to be helped and taken to the closest Nationalist unit. It saved some crews who would have been helpless without civilian assistance. The Japanse took brutal reprisal against anyone helping Americans. In a punitive campaign after the Dolittle raid the Japanese army killed tens of thousands of civilians and the land was laid waste for helping the American crews escape. A note from Jack Averitt veteran of the 425th who served in late 44 as a gunner radio man.

Jack: " In 1944, John Wayne made a corny movie called "Flying Tigers" and wore that flag on his back. When I got to China, I was told never to wear it on the back of my jacket because it would make a good target...instead, to wear it on the inside. Even so, a bombadier from another squadron once told me that when he had to bail out, Chinese villagers (1) could not read the Chinese written on it and (2) did not recognize their own flag."

This is a shot of some 425 group members possibly at Kunming China. Clark is the man in the center rear leaning against the post.
New information as of October 9th 2006 from Cheryl Ketchum writing on behalf of a friend.

Cheryl: I'm interested in the man sitting on the ground with the dog in front of him. The dog's name is Whiskey. The man's name is George R. Maupin. His plane went down and he is still MIA to this day. The man is my friend's grandfather. She never met him, but she has a collection of his letters that he wrote during the war (there are around 500). I transcribed all of the letters, and I'm working on using them in a book. Unfortunately, we only have a couple of photos of him -- none in uniform. But I recognized his face and his dog right away.

Thank you for any help you can provide. George Maupin wrote home that his airplane's name was the China Clipper, but I haven't been able to find any photos on the internet. Anyone who can help should contact the web page owner whos e-mail address is at the bottom of the page.


B-24 42-40075,
425th Bomb Squadron (Hot As Hell)
William A. Swanson, 1Lt, Pilot
Frederick L. McNeeland, 2Lt, Copilot
Robert E. Oxford, 2Lt, Bombardier
Mathieas J. Quackenbush, 2Lt, Navigator
James H. McGee, SSgt, Engineer
Harry B. Queen, Cpl, Radio
Michael O'Keefe, Pfc, Asst Engineer
Jerry G. Kuchar, Sgt, Asst Radio
Clark W. Kuntz, Sgt, Gunner
Leland B. Farnell, Capt, Passenger

The 308th Shield and the tail markings of each squadron. Courtesy of Heavy bombers web site.
Schools Attended:
sturon Keesler Field Jun.42-Aug.42
sturon Las Vegas, Nevada Aug42-Oct 42
425th bomron Tuson, Arizona Oct 42-Nov 42
425th bomron Wendover, Utah Nov42-Dec42
425th bomron Pueblo, Co. Dec42-Jan43
425th bomron West Palm Beach, Fl. Jan43-Feb43
425th bomron Kunming, China Feb43-Mar44
324th Tng sq Savannah, Ga.
It was in Savannah that Clark met his future wife in May 45, at Chatham Field near Savannah. They were married September 1945. They were married for 30 years before his death June 1975 at the age of 53.



Japanese 25, 75 and 120 Millimeter Antiaircraft guns every bit as deadly as the Japanese fighters.

<
The opposition included the Zero, Tony,


July 29th they missed the link up with their fighter protection but flew the mission anyway. Almost 100 japanese aircraft came up to hit them. (The Japanese Army Oscar)
They shot down squadron leader Bruce Beat and wounded the lead plane pilots in the other elements. The battle went on for 27 minutes. The rest of the aircraft were badly shot up. One aircraft landed in LIng Ling others managed to crash land in Kweilin with dead and wounded. After that they were sent up again three days later. Same story this time with heavy Flak and 40 fighters hit the seven aircraft that made it to the target Hankow. (The Japanese Army fighter Nick)
In a 40 minute battle half the force was shot down over the target the others came back to crashland with dead and dying. One of these accidentily crashed the next day on the way home and all the crew were killed. The 425 was effectively wiped out after that mission. Clark was right, he said was very lucky to be alive.

As bad as the combat was the flying the HUMP from India to Kunming with supplies, as everything had to be air freighted over the Himalayas mountains. The sudden down drafts and extreme tempratures swallowed many crews. Some aircraft are still being found to this day and crews being recovered. Even here the Japanese Army Airforces at time managed to attack the transports. (The Tojo of the IJAAF.)

Clarks family knew little of his experiencs. "Before his death in June 1975 at the age of 53 he spoke very little about his time in China to his family. He would tell of the air raid sound and having to run for the rice patties and lay flat. He started telling a story about when the aircraft got shot up really bad, so he left his position to see if he could help anyone, when he reached the middle of the aircraft his good buddy all shot up and dead. This is were he stopped the story, it was too painful of a memory. He spoke of the thick flak back in his bubble and flying on the China Burma road missions. There was one mission where they were shot up so bad he had to land the plane himself.
...
The Distinguished Flying Cross (Est 1926) Criteria: Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

The Air Medal (Est 1942) Criteria: Heroic actions or meritorious service while participating in aerial flight.

Army Good Conduct Medal (Est 1941) Criteria: Exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity during three years of active enlisted service with the U.S. Army (1 Year during wartime).

Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal - WWII (Est 1942) Dates: 1941-46 Criteria: Service in the Asiatic-Pacific theater for 30 days or receipt of any combat decoration.

World War II (WWII) Victory Medal (Est 1945) Dates: 1941-46 Criteria: Awarded for service in US Armed Forces between 1941 and 1946. Notes: None.


The Distinguished Unit Citation was established as a result of Executive Order No. 9075, dated 26 February 1942. The Executive Order directed the Secretary of War to issue citations in the name of the President of the United States to Army units for outstanding performance of duty after 7 December 1941. The design submitted by the Office of the Quartermaster General was approved by the G1 on 30 May 1942. b. The Distinguished Unit Citation was redesignated the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) per DF, DCSPER, date 3 November 1966.


LINK:
308th BG web site Source of the 425th patch.
Heavy Bombers great site on all heavy units in WWII


E-Mail Me @ worldwar2mem@yahoo.com


Copyright © Ken Arnold 1999. All rights reserved.

---

This page hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page