On January 9, 1951, a B-29A Superfortress (tail number 42-93974) carrying twelve crew members took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, on a night leaflet dropping mission with ten scheduled drops over Pyongyang, Sinan-ju, Anju, Pakchon, Chong-ju, Namsi, Kosong, Pukchin, Huichon, and Tokchon. While approaching Namsi, this aircraft took multiple direct hits from enemy anti-aircraft fire and was severely damaged. Tentatively regaining control of the aircraft, the pilot headed for Paengnyong-do Island off the west coast of North Korea, which was under friendly control. Continuing to fight for control, the pilot put the aircraft in a circular orbit over the island, and all twelve members of the crew, including the pilot, reportedly were able to bail out. The B-29 then went out of control and crashed on the island. Ten of the crew landed on the island; another landed in the water and paddled his survival raft to shore, while the pilot could not be located following the incident.

Captain Donald Gaile Bigham entered the U.S. Air Force from Arizona and was assigned to 342nd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Wing (Medium). He was on temporary duty assignment with the 343rd Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Wing, and was the pilot of this bomber at the time of its loss. He reportedly bailed out and made a water landing, but was not able to be located at the time. An extensive aerial and water surface search located the wreckage of the aircraft, but the pilot was not found. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with Capt Bigham, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. His remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Captain Bigham 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 Deferred.

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.