First Lieutenant Alford Cleve Palmer entered the U.S. Air Force from Oklahoma and was assigned to the 7th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. Just before noon on September 5, 1942, he departed Taegu Air Base flying an F-84E Thunderjet (tail number 49-2386A, callsign Jell Blue 2) as the number two pilot in a flight of four. The briefed mission was a daylight interdiction operation targeting an enemy supply depot approximately 12 miles northeast of Kunu-ri, Korea. The four aircraft on Jell Blue flight reached the target area without incident; however, they were forced to orbit their target because other aircraft were attacking adjacent targets. Australian aircraft (Meteors) were also operating in the same area. When their target area appeared to clear, Jell Blue flight began their bomb run. A few seconds later, Jell Blue 3 observed that the Meteors were also making an attack run and appeared to be on a collision course with the American aircraft. The pilot of Jell Blue 3 radioed a quick warning, just as an Australian jet was seen firing across the path of 1st Lt Palmer’s aircraft. Jell Blue flight briefly lost sight of Jell Blue 2. When visual contact was reestablished, the Thunderjet was seen in an uncontrolled descent, and disappeared in the clouds below. This was the last anyone saw of 1st Lt Palmer or his aircraft. In 1953, unconfirmed reports were received indicating that 1st Lt Palmer was possibly alive in a prison camp; however, these reports could not be confirmed, and there are no other indications that 1st Lt Palmer was ever alive in enemy hands. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Palmer 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.