Ted married Betty Friend March 1, 1938 (Berkeley, California), divorced July 1941.
He married Neva Fern Trantham (of Dalhart, Dallam county, Texas) on 7 Oct 1943 at the base chapel of Dalhart Army Air Base, near Dalhart, but south in Hartley county, Texas.
A 1944 article http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16365408/
Newspaper: Amarillo Daily News › 1944 › November › 16 November 1944 › Page 8 indicates that Fern (TRANTHAM) FAULKNER and step-son Lynn, live in Dalhart with her mother Mrs. James R[Riley?] Trantham and Fern's slightly older sister, Nita.
1Lt Ted S. Faulkner was the pilot that began a super-secret pre-war spy mission to overfly Japanese mandated islands and provide high altitude recon for both Army & Navy general officers. The mission was ordered at the highest levels on 26 November 1941. Two B-24A aircraft were requisitioned from Ferry Command for the mission. At that time, none of the 10 or so B-24's in the US inventory were assigned to bomber or recon squadrons. All had been assigned to the Ferry Command, where they had been stripped of their armor plate, guns, gun mounts, and bomb shackles. The B-24 was selected over the B-17 that the recon pilots had training and experience with because the B-24 could fly higher, faster, and further than the B-17's. The generals' hope was that the planes could overfly the area and get the aerial photos without being shot down and creating an "overt act" by which Japan could charge the US with starting WWII for America.
1Lt Faulkner and his crew accepted B-24A #40-2371 after a 1 hour test flight around Sacramento CA and in the afternoon they hopped over to Hamilton Field, just, north of San Francisco CA. A 2nd B-24A (40-2376) was also assigned to this project, that plane flown by 1Lt Harvey Watkins. The second plane had many mechanical issues and didn't arrive at Hamilton Field until 4 Dec 1941. The urgency of the mission caused the generals pushing this mission to have both planes depart at night on 4 Dec 1941 for Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii. Ted's plane made the flight using celestial navigation and following along with a commercial radio station out of Hawaii. About an hour out from San Francisco, Ted's crew heard the second plane turn back to Sacramento due to mechanical problems. (Continuing severe nose wheel shimmy problems, and engine problems.)
The B-24A's had been assigned to the recently formed Ferry Command. The planes were to be restored to combat ready condition so the crew could defend themselves by all means available if attacked over the Japanese islands. That goal, combined with the secrecy of the mission, led to delays on launching the mission. In the end, only one B-24A made it to Hickam Field as ordered, and it was far from combat ready.
Most of the 20 crew members for both planes came from the 88th Recon Squadron, with the exception of 1Lt Harvey Watkins, who piloted the 2nd B-24A. Since no bomber or recon squadrons had B-24's, almost none of the crew had any experience in B-24's when they picked up their aircraft at Sacramento.
The exception to that was the two pilots. Both 1Lt Ted Faulkner and 1Lt Harvey Watkins had both recently returned from "detached service" with the Ferry Command, where they both had gained experience flying the B-24. I believe Harvey Watkins had been delivering LB-30 "Liberators" across Canada for delivery to England. (LB-30 and B-24 were basically the same aircraft, but with variations.) It is not clear what Ted Faulkner was doing with Ferry Command, but it appears he was ferrying LB-30's to Canada, as well as ferry missions across the oceans. It's unlikely that he was there specifically to gain experience for this mission, since this mission appears to have sprung into action around 26 Nov 1941.
So... Ted Faulkner landed his B-24A #40-2371 at Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii early in the morning of 5 Dec 1941. He & his crew knew they had volunteered for a "very secret" mission, but did not yet know the details. Their airplane was met by two unidentified General officers and a cordon of armed guards. The plane was taken to the Hawaiian Air Maintenance (Hangar 15) where they were to install guns, gun mounts, armor plate, and bomb shackles. The "Kodaks" were two large vertical cameras mounted in one of the two bomb bays. They had already been installed at Sacramento. The 2nd aircraft was supposed to be bringing the guns. Gun mounts appeared to be the missing element and difficult to fabricate. The only armament on the plane when it arrived was a .30 caliber MG stowed in the nose and a twin .50 cal tail gun that had been installed.
Ted and his crew (all) belonged to the 88th reconnaissance Squadron, the bomber was assigned to the 1st Photographic Group, attached to Ferry Command and arrived at Hickam Field, Hawaii on December 5, 1941 to complete final preparations for a secret project to photograph Japanese military bases in the Marshall and Caroline Islands. Problems were encountered in installing the machine guns and the aircraft was still there on the morning of 7 December. That morning, Faulkner and some of his crew were at Hangar 15 preparing their plane for a short check flight before leaving on the next leg of their journey when the Japanese attack began. A bomb hit nearby, killing the navigator instantly, and wounding another crewman. Another crewman was killed elsewhere on the base, apparently by strafing, and several more wounded. The navigator (Louis Moslener) was the first American killed in World War II, and the plane was the first US aircraft destroyed in the war.
In March 1942 he piloted the plane that evacuated President Manuel Quezon and others from the Philippines.
In June 1942 he bombed Japanese naval forces during the battle of Midway.
He became the commander of the 468th Bombardment Group in August 1944.
From the Daily Diary kept for General Curtis E. LeMay:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/37161060/Curtis-E-LeMay-Daily-Diary-1944-1945
30 Sep 1944 - Left Headquarters with the General (LeMay) at 1745 hours, driving to the Headquarters of the 468th Group at Salua, where we had supper with Colonel Faulkner, C.O. of the Group, and members of his staff. Returned Headquarters at 2200 hours.
See other entrys for XX Bomber Command. (i.e. 20th Bomber Command)
5 Nov 1944 diary entry...
All but one ship returned from the mission run today, this one ship being
piloted by Colonel Ted Faulkner, C.O. of the 468th [Bomb] Group. Reports are fragmentary but not too much hope is being held out for his safe return.
NOTE - the mission launched on the 4th of November at night,
but the loss occurred on 5 Nov 1944.
On November 5 1944 he was the pilot of B-29-15-BW #42-6370 nicknamed 'Lethal Lady'. assigned to the 20th Air Force, 58th Bombardment Wing, 468th Bombardment Group, 793rd Bombardment Squadron. They were on a night time mission to bomb the Singapore naval base when the plane exploded and crashed into the sea. None of the crew survived. It is very likely that an engine caught on fire, causing the loss of the aircraft.
Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing.
Faulkner received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
He married Neva Fern Trantham (of Dalhart, Dallam county, Texas) on 7 Oct 1943 at the base chapel of Dalhart Army Air Base, near Dalhart, but south in Hartley county, Texas.
A 1944 article http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16365408/
Newspaper: Amarillo Daily News › 1944 › November › 16 November 1944 › Page 8 indicates that Fern (TRANTHAM) FAULKNER and step-son Lynn, live in Dalhart with her mother Mrs. James R[Riley?] Trantham and Fern's slightly older sister, Nita.
1Lt Ted S. Faulkner was the pilot that began a super-secret pre-war spy mission to overfly Japanese mandated islands and provide high altitude recon for both Army & Navy general officers. The mission was ordered at the highest levels on 26 November 1941. Two B-24A aircraft were requisitioned from Ferry Command for the mission. At that time, none of the 10 or so B-24's in the US inventory were assigned to bomber or recon squadrons. All had been assigned to the Ferry Command, where they had been stripped of their armor plate, guns, gun mounts, and bomb shackles. The B-24 was selected over the B-17 that the recon pilots had training and experience with because the B-24 could fly higher, faster, and further than the B-17's. The generals' hope was that the planes could overfly the area and get the aerial photos without being shot down and creating an "overt act" by which Japan could charge the US with starting WWII for America.
1Lt Faulkner and his crew accepted B-24A #40-2371 after a 1 hour test flight around Sacramento CA and in the afternoon they hopped over to Hamilton Field, just, north of San Francisco CA. A 2nd B-24A (40-2376) was also assigned to this project, that plane flown by 1Lt Harvey Watkins. The second plane had many mechanical issues and didn't arrive at Hamilton Field until 4 Dec 1941. The urgency of the mission caused the generals pushing this mission to have both planes depart at night on 4 Dec 1941 for Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii. Ted's plane made the flight using celestial navigation and following along with a commercial radio station out of Hawaii. About an hour out from San Francisco, Ted's crew heard the second plane turn back to Sacramento due to mechanical problems. (Continuing severe nose wheel shimmy problems, and engine problems.)
The B-24A's had been assigned to the recently formed Ferry Command. The planes were to be restored to combat ready condition so the crew could defend themselves by all means available if attacked over the Japanese islands. That goal, combined with the secrecy of the mission, led to delays on launching the mission. In the end, only one B-24A made it to Hickam Field as ordered, and it was far from combat ready.
Most of the 20 crew members for both planes came from the 88th Recon Squadron, with the exception of 1Lt Harvey Watkins, who piloted the 2nd B-24A. Since no bomber or recon squadrons had B-24's, almost none of the crew had any experience in B-24's when they picked up their aircraft at Sacramento.
The exception to that was the two pilots. Both 1Lt Ted Faulkner and 1Lt Harvey Watkins had both recently returned from "detached service" with the Ferry Command, where they both had gained experience flying the B-24. I believe Harvey Watkins had been delivering LB-30 "Liberators" across Canada for delivery to England. (LB-30 and B-24 were basically the same aircraft, but with variations.) It is not clear what Ted Faulkner was doing with Ferry Command, but it appears he was ferrying LB-30's to Canada, as well as ferry missions across the oceans. It's unlikely that he was there specifically to gain experience for this mission, since this mission appears to have sprung into action around 26 Nov 1941.
So... Ted Faulkner landed his B-24A #40-2371 at Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii early in the morning of 5 Dec 1941. He & his crew knew they had volunteered for a "very secret" mission, but did not yet know the details. Their airplane was met by two unidentified General officers and a cordon of armed guards. The plane was taken to the Hawaiian Air Maintenance (Hangar 15) where they were to install guns, gun mounts, armor plate, and bomb shackles. The "Kodaks" were two large vertical cameras mounted in one of the two bomb bays. They had already been installed at Sacramento. The 2nd aircraft was supposed to be bringing the guns. Gun mounts appeared to be the missing element and difficult to fabricate. The only armament on the plane when it arrived was a .30 caliber MG stowed in the nose and a twin .50 cal tail gun that had been installed.
Ted and his crew (all) belonged to the 88th reconnaissance Squadron, the bomber was assigned to the 1st Photographic Group, attached to Ferry Command and arrived at Hickam Field, Hawaii on December 5, 1941 to complete final preparations for a secret project to photograph Japanese military bases in the Marshall and Caroline Islands. Problems were encountered in installing the machine guns and the aircraft was still there on the morning of 7 December. That morning, Faulkner and some of his crew were at Hangar 15 preparing their plane for a short check flight before leaving on the next leg of their journey when the Japanese attack began. A bomb hit nearby, killing the navigator instantly, and wounding another crewman. Another crewman was killed elsewhere on the base, apparently by strafing, and several more wounded. The navigator (Louis Moslener) was the first American killed in World War II, and the plane was the first US aircraft destroyed in the war.
In March 1942 he piloted the plane that evacuated President Manuel Quezon and others from the Philippines.
In June 1942 he bombed Japanese naval forces during the battle of Midway.
He became the commander of the 468th Bombardment Group in August 1944.
From the Daily Diary kept for General Curtis E. LeMay:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/37161060/Curtis-E-LeMay-Daily-Diary-1944-1945
30 Sep 1944 - Left Headquarters with the General (LeMay) at 1745 hours, driving to the Headquarters of the 468th Group at Salua, where we had supper with Colonel Faulkner, C.O. of the Group, and members of his staff. Returned Headquarters at 2200 hours.
See other entrys for XX Bomber Command. (i.e. 20th Bomber Command)
5 Nov 1944 diary entry...
All but one ship returned from the mission run today, this one ship being
piloted by Colonel Ted Faulkner, C.O. of the 468th [Bomb] Group. Reports are fragmentary but not too much hope is being held out for his safe return.
NOTE - the mission launched on the 4th of November at night,
but the loss occurred on 5 Nov 1944.
On November 5 1944 he was the pilot of B-29-15-BW #42-6370 nicknamed 'Lethal Lady'. assigned to the 20th Air Force, 58th Bombardment Wing, 468th Bombardment Group, 793rd Bombardment Squadron. They were on a night time mission to bomb the Singapore naval base when the plane exploded and crashed into the sea. None of the crew survived. It is very likely that an engine caught on fire, causing the loss of the aircraft.
Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing.
Faulkner received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Ted married Betty Friend March 1, 1938 (Berkeley, California), divorced July 1941.
He married Neva Fern Trantham (of Dalhart, Dallam county, Texas) on 7 Oct 1943 at the base chapel of Dalhart Army Air Base, near Dalhart, but south in Hartley county, Texas.
A 1944 article http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16365408/
Newspaper: Amarillo Daily News › 1944 › November › 16 November 1944 › Page 8 indicates that Fern (TRANTHAM) FAULKNER and step-son Lynn, live in Dalhart with her mother Mrs. James R[Riley?] Trantham and Fern's slightly older sister, Nita.
1Lt Ted S. Faulkner was the pilot that began a super-secret pre-war spy mission to overfly Japanese mandated islands and provide high altitude recon for both Army & Navy general officers. The mission was ordered at the highest levels on 26 November 1941. Two B-24A aircraft were requisitioned from Ferry Command for the mission. At that time, none of the 10 or so B-24's in the US inventory were assigned to bomber or recon squadrons. All had been assigned to the Ferry Command, where they had been stripped of their armor plate, guns, gun mounts, and bomb shackles. The B-24 was selected over the B-17 that the recon pilots had training and experience with because the B-24 could fly higher, faster, and further than the B-17's. The generals' hope was that the planes could overfly the area and get the aerial photos without being shot down and creating an "overt act" by which Japan could charge the US with starting WWII for America.
1Lt Faulkner and his crew accepted B-24A #40-2371 after a 1 hour test flight around Sacramento CA and in the afternoon they hopped over to Hamilton Field, just, north of San Francisco CA. A 2nd B-24A (40-2376) was also assigned to this project, that plane flown by 1Lt Harvey Watkins. The second plane had many mechanical issues and didn't arrive at Hamilton Field until 4 Dec 1941. The urgency of the mission caused the generals pushing this mission to have both planes depart at night on 4 Dec 1941 for Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii. Ted's plane made the flight using celestial navigation and following along with a commercial radio station out of Hawaii. About an hour out from San Francisco, Ted's crew heard the second plane turn back to Sacramento due to mechanical problems. (Continuing severe nose wheel shimmy problems, and engine problems.)
The B-24A's had been assigned to the recently formed Ferry Command. The planes were to be restored to combat ready condition so the crew could defend themselves by all means available if attacked over the Japanese islands. That goal, combined with the secrecy of the mission, led to delays on launching the mission. In the end, only one B-24A made it to Hickam Field as ordered, and it was far from combat ready.
Most of the 20 crew members for both planes came from the 88th Recon Squadron, with the exception of 1Lt Harvey Watkins, who piloted the 2nd B-24A. Since no bomber or recon squadrons had B-24's, almost none of the crew had any experience in B-24's when they picked up their aircraft at Sacramento.
The exception to that was the two pilots. Both 1Lt Ted Faulkner and 1Lt Harvey Watkins had both recently returned from "detached service" with the Ferry Command, where they both had gained experience flying the B-24. I believe Harvey Watkins had been delivering LB-30 "Liberators" across Canada for delivery to England. (LB-30 and B-24 were basically the same aircraft, but with variations.) It is not clear what Ted Faulkner was doing with Ferry Command, but it appears he was ferrying LB-30's to Canada, as well as ferry missions across the oceans. It's unlikely that he was there specifically to gain experience for this mission, since this mission appears to have sprung into action around 26 Nov 1941.
So... Ted Faulkner landed his B-24A #40-2371 at Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii early in the morning of 5 Dec 1941. He & his crew knew they had volunteered for a "very secret" mission, but did not yet know the details. Their airplane was met by two unidentified General officers and a cordon of armed guards. The plane was taken to the Hawaiian Air Maintenance (Hangar 15) where they were to install guns, gun mounts, armor plate, and bomb shackles. The "Kodaks" were two large vertical cameras mounted in one of the two bomb bays. They had already been installed at Sacramento. The 2nd aircraft was supposed to be bringing the guns. Gun mounts appeared to be the missing element and difficult to fabricate. The only armament on the plane when it arrived was a .30 caliber MG stowed in the nose and a twin .50 cal tail gun that had been installed.
Ted and his crew (all) belonged to the 88th reconnaissance Squadron, the bomber was assigned to the 1st Photographic Group, attached to Ferry Command and arrived at Hickam Field, Hawaii on December 5, 1941 to complete final preparations for a secret project to photograph Japanese military bases in the Marshall and Caroline Islands. Problems were encountered in installing the machine guns and the aircraft was still there on the morning of 7 December. That morning, Faulkner and some of his crew were at Hangar 15 preparing their plane for a short check flight before leaving on the next leg of their journey when the Japanese attack began. A bomb hit nearby, killing the navigator instantly, and wounding another crewman. Another crewman was killed elsewhere on the base, apparently by strafing, and several more wounded. The navigator (Louis Moslener) was the first American killed in World War II, and the plane was the first US aircraft destroyed in the war.
In March 1942 he piloted the plane that evacuated President Manuel Quezon and others from the Philippines.
In June 1942 he bombed Japanese naval forces during the battle of Midway.
He became the commander of the 468th Bombardment Group in August 1944.
From the Daily Diary kept for General Curtis E. LeMay:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/37161060/Curtis-E-LeMay-Daily-Diary-1944-1945
30 Sep 1944 - Left Headquarters with the General (LeMay) at 1745 hours, driving to the Headquarters of the 468th Group at Salua, where we had supper with Colonel Faulkner, C.O. of the Group, and members of his staff. Returned Headquarters at 2200 hours.
See other entrys for XX Bomber Command. (i.e. 20th Bomber Command)
5 Nov 1944 diary entry...
All but one ship returned from the mission run today, this one ship being
piloted by Colonel Ted Faulkner, C.O. of the 468th [Bomb] Group. Reports are fragmentary but not too much hope is being held out for his safe return.
NOTE - the mission launched on the 4th of November at night,
but the loss occurred on 5 Nov 1944.
On November 5 1944 he was the pilot of B-29-15-BW #42-6370 nicknamed 'Lethal Lady'. assigned to the 20th Air Force, 58th Bombardment Wing, 468th Bombardment Group, 793rd Bombardment Squadron. They were on a night time mission to bomb the Singapore naval base when the plane exploded and crashed into the sea. None of the crew survived. It is very likely that an engine caught on fire, causing the loss of the aircraft.
Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing.
Faulkner received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
He married Neva Fern Trantham (of Dalhart, Dallam county, Texas) on 7 Oct 1943 at the base chapel of Dalhart Army Air Base, near Dalhart, but south in Hartley county, Texas.
A 1944 article http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/16365408/
Newspaper: Amarillo Daily News › 1944 › November › 16 November 1944 › Page 8 indicates that Fern (TRANTHAM) FAULKNER and step-son Lynn, live in Dalhart with her mother Mrs. James R[Riley?] Trantham and Fern's slightly older sister, Nita.
1Lt Ted S. Faulkner was the pilot that began a super-secret pre-war spy mission to overfly Japanese mandated islands and provide high altitude recon for both Army & Navy general officers. The mission was ordered at the highest levels on 26 November 1941. Two B-24A aircraft were requisitioned from Ferry Command for the mission. At that time, none of the 10 or so B-24's in the US inventory were assigned to bomber or recon squadrons. All had been assigned to the Ferry Command, where they had been stripped of their armor plate, guns, gun mounts, and bomb shackles. The B-24 was selected over the B-17 that the recon pilots had training and experience with because the B-24 could fly higher, faster, and further than the B-17's. The generals' hope was that the planes could overfly the area and get the aerial photos without being shot down and creating an "overt act" by which Japan could charge the US with starting WWII for America.
1Lt Faulkner and his crew accepted B-24A #40-2371 after a 1 hour test flight around Sacramento CA and in the afternoon they hopped over to Hamilton Field, just, north of San Francisco CA. A 2nd B-24A (40-2376) was also assigned to this project, that plane flown by 1Lt Harvey Watkins. The second plane had many mechanical issues and didn't arrive at Hamilton Field until 4 Dec 1941. The urgency of the mission caused the generals pushing this mission to have both planes depart at night on 4 Dec 1941 for Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii. Ted's plane made the flight using celestial navigation and following along with a commercial radio station out of Hawaii. About an hour out from San Francisco, Ted's crew heard the second plane turn back to Sacramento due to mechanical problems. (Continuing severe nose wheel shimmy problems, and engine problems.)
The B-24A's had been assigned to the recently formed Ferry Command. The planes were to be restored to combat ready condition so the crew could defend themselves by all means available if attacked over the Japanese islands. That goal, combined with the secrecy of the mission, led to delays on launching the mission. In the end, only one B-24A made it to Hickam Field as ordered, and it was far from combat ready.
Most of the 20 crew members for both planes came from the 88th Recon Squadron, with the exception of 1Lt Harvey Watkins, who piloted the 2nd B-24A. Since no bomber or recon squadrons had B-24's, almost none of the crew had any experience in B-24's when they picked up their aircraft at Sacramento.
The exception to that was the two pilots. Both 1Lt Ted Faulkner and 1Lt Harvey Watkins had both recently returned from "detached service" with the Ferry Command, where they both had gained experience flying the B-24. I believe Harvey Watkins had been delivering LB-30 "Liberators" across Canada for delivery to England. (LB-30 and B-24 were basically the same aircraft, but with variations.) It is not clear what Ted Faulkner was doing with Ferry Command, but it appears he was ferrying LB-30's to Canada, as well as ferry missions across the oceans. It's unlikely that he was there specifically to gain experience for this mission, since this mission appears to have sprung into action around 26 Nov 1941.
So... Ted Faulkner landed his B-24A #40-2371 at Hickam Field in the Territory of Hawaii early in the morning of 5 Dec 1941. He & his crew knew they had volunteered for a "very secret" mission, but did not yet know the details. Their airplane was met by two unidentified General officers and a cordon of armed guards. The plane was taken to the Hawaiian Air Maintenance (Hangar 15) where they were to install guns, gun mounts, armor plate, and bomb shackles. The "Kodaks" were two large vertical cameras mounted in one of the two bomb bays. They had already been installed at Sacramento. The 2nd aircraft was supposed to be bringing the guns. Gun mounts appeared to be the missing element and difficult to fabricate. The only armament on the plane when it arrived was a .30 caliber MG stowed in the nose and a twin .50 cal tail gun that had been installed.
Ted and his crew (all) belonged to the 88th reconnaissance Squadron, the bomber was assigned to the 1st Photographic Group, attached to Ferry Command and arrived at Hickam Field, Hawaii on December 5, 1941 to complete final preparations for a secret project to photograph Japanese military bases in the Marshall and Caroline Islands. Problems were encountered in installing the machine guns and the aircraft was still there on the morning of 7 December. That morning, Faulkner and some of his crew were at Hangar 15 preparing their plane for a short check flight before leaving on the next leg of their journey when the Japanese attack began. A bomb hit nearby, killing the navigator instantly, and wounding another crewman. Another crewman was killed elsewhere on the base, apparently by strafing, and several more wounded. The navigator (Louis Moslener) was the first American killed in World War II, and the plane was the first US aircraft destroyed in the war.
In March 1942 he piloted the plane that evacuated President Manuel Quezon and others from the Philippines.
In June 1942 he bombed Japanese naval forces during the battle of Midway.
He became the commander of the 468th Bombardment Group in August 1944.
From the Daily Diary kept for General Curtis E. LeMay:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/37161060/Curtis-E-LeMay-Daily-Diary-1944-1945
30 Sep 1944 - Left Headquarters with the General (LeMay) at 1745 hours, driving to the Headquarters of the 468th Group at Salua, where we had supper with Colonel Faulkner, C.O. of the Group, and members of his staff. Returned Headquarters at 2200 hours.
See other entrys for XX Bomber Command. (i.e. 20th Bomber Command)
5 Nov 1944 diary entry...
All but one ship returned from the mission run today, this one ship being
piloted by Colonel Ted Faulkner, C.O. of the 468th [Bomb] Group. Reports are fragmentary but not too much hope is being held out for his safe return.
NOTE - the mission launched on the 4th of November at night,
but the loss occurred on 5 Nov 1944.
On November 5 1944 he was the pilot of B-29-15-BW #42-6370 nicknamed 'Lethal Lady'. assigned to the 20th Air Force, 58th Bombardment Wing, 468th Bombardment Group, 793rd Bombardment Squadron. They were on a night time mission to bomb the Singapore naval base when the plane exploded and crashed into the sea. None of the crew survived. It is very likely that an engine caught on fire, causing the loss of the aircraft.
Because his body was not recovered, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing.
Faulkner received the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Washington state where he went to college.
Family Members
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