An hour before midnight on April 6, 1952, a B-26 Invader (tail number 44-34601, call sign "Pintail 14") departed Kunsan Air Base with a crew of five. The briefed mission was a night-time bombing mission against the main supply route (MSR) between Pyongyang and Sinanju, known as Purple 4. As Pintail 14 cross into enemy territory, the pilot contacted the air controller (call sign "Dentist") reporting that they were inbound to the target area. This was the last known contact with this crew. Aerial searches were conducted the following day, but found no signs of the missing aircraft.

Captain Gilbert Jack Schauer, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, served with the 90th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group. He was one of three navigators aboard this B-26. No returned prisoners of war (POWs) mentioned having contact with Capt Schauer, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Captain Schauer 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.