EISENBARTH, Walter P.
EISENBARTH, Walter P. (1917-1943)[Service Number 37312876], gunner killed along with all twelve passengers in the Consolidated B-24E that crashed into Green Mountain on San Miguel Island on July 5, 1943. His hometown was Hazelton, ND.
In the News~
July 5, 1943: Consolidated B-24E (#42-7180) U.S.A.A. F. crashed on Green Mountain. Twelve men died in the crash. The site was not located until March 19, 1944. The bomber had been dispatched to find a missing B-24 that was later found 10 miles inland from Santa Barbara. All personnel were members of the 2nd Air Force, 34th Bomb Group, 7th Bomb Squadron stationed at Salinas Army Air Base, Salinas, California. The remains of the crew were returned to their next of kin:
- Vernon C. Stevens, Pilot
- Douglas Thornburg, Command Pilot
- Floyd P. Hart, Copilot
- Justin M. Marshall, Bombardier Instructor
- Bose Gorman, Navigator
- Noah H. Yost, Bombardier
- Bernard Littman, Engineer
- Ralph S. Masterson, Assistant Engineer
- Lyle L. Frost, Radioman
- Walter P. Eisenbarth, Gunner
- Lee E. Salzer, Gunner
- Henry L. Bair, Assistant Radioman
March 21, 1944 [Santa Cruz Sentinel]: “12 Killed in Army Bomber Crash. Santa Maria, Cal. March 20 — Wreckage of an army bomber missing since last July has been discovered on San Miguel Island in the Santa Barbara channel with 12 bodies aboard, Santa Maria army air field officials reported today.”
March 21, 1944 [San Bernardino Sun]: “Plane wreckage Found on San Miguel Island. Santa Maria, March 20 — Wreckage of an Army bomber missing since last July has been discovered on San Miguel Island in the Santa Barbara channel with 12 bodies.”
