Early in the morning on April 7, 1951, a B-29 Superfortress (tail number 44-86268) with a crew of eleven aviators departed Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a 36-Superfortess strike force. The briefed mission was a daylight bombing operation targeting the highway and railroad bridges near Uiju, which crossed the Yalu River between North Korea and China. Just before releasing its bombs, the Superfortress was attacked by enemy fighters, sustaining severe damage including the loss of two engines and its communications systems. In hopes of reaching friendly territory, the pilot began flying south along the west coast, but a fire broke out in the rear bomb bay. Realizing that the B-29 could no longer sustain flight, the pilot turned out over the water toward a rescue ship, and the aircraft commander gave the order for the crew to bail out. Three parachutes were seen to emerge from the aircraft before it exploded in mid-air and crashed into the water. An extensive search of the area located one of the eleven aviators on board. 

First Lieutenant Duane Martin Phillips, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Illinois, was assigned to the 371st Bombardment Squadron, 307th Bombardment Group. He was the radar observer aboard this Superfortress when it was lost. No returning POWs mentioned contact with 1st Lt Phillips, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, First Lieutenant Phillips 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.