Early in the evening of April 26, 1951, a B-26C Invader (tail number 44-35974A, call sign Duncan 02) departed Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, with a crew of three aviators. The briefed mission was a night intruder operation with a primary target of Mirim (K-24) Air Base, followed by an visual reconnaissance of main supply route (MSR) one. Upon completion of the reconnaissance operation the aircraft was scheduled to land at Taegu (K-2) Air Base. Approximately one hour and sixteen minutes after takeoff, Duncan 02 made a routine check with ground controllers near Taegu. This was the last contact anyone had with this aircraft. On April 27, after the Invader was declared overdue, the Joint Operation Center was notified, and Air Sea Rescue units were alerted. All ramp-checks in Japan and Korea and all search efforts failed to locate the mission aircraft; all four aviators were listed missing in action. 

Major Arthur Myles Austin entered the U.S. Air Force from Washington and was assigned to the 731st Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group. He was the copilot of this Invader when it went missing. No returning POWs mentioned contact with Major Austin, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Major Austin is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. 

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

If you are a family member of this serviceman, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.