Posted by Theodore Rundall
on 4/4/2008, 7:00 pm, in reply to "Raymond T. Marks"
72.90.14.253
Hello, Marlin
The VMB-423 war diary for that date has the following entry:
PBJ crashed just after takeoff on night navigation flight;. All crew killed: 1st Lt.Alden R. Carlson,
2nd. Lt. ThaddeusBanachowski, S/Sgt.Clyde E.Yates, Corp. John T. Gunn, Corp. Raymond T.
Marks, Corp.Reber H. Smith.
I was a radio gunner in VMB-423 and probably knew all those men, but I’m sorry to say that I do
not now remember any from that particular crew. At that time, we were flying out of Espiritu
Santos in the New Hebrides, still training for the combat missions to come.
Here is some advice given earlier by Linda Henley in response to a similar inquiry:
There have also been 2 books of VMB-423 recollections published by one of our members
Go to the home page of the VMB-423 website. On the left side, scroll down to:
93rd Seabees Battalion--Green Island NEW!
When you get to the Seabees page, scroll down about 3/4 of the way to the section about U. S.
Marines. Under Marine Bomber Squadrons you should see VMB-423: PBJ (B-25). There are
links to History of VMB-423 and the Collection of Memories: Book 1, Part 1; Book 1 Part 2;
Book 2. The VMB-423 Yearbook is also there: click on the Album link.
I am also sending a copy of this message to the editor of our newsletter, who may publish your
inquiry --- perhaps one of the readers remembers Raymond T. Marks and will contact you.
Good luck.
Ted Rundall
Message Thread:
« Back to thread