III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 326 

Recognizing the crew of the San Antonio Rose, B–17F, who sacrificed their 

lives during World War II, and honoring their memory during the week 

of the 75th anniversary of that tragic event. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 9, 2017 

Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. INHOFE, 

Mr. CRUZ, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. DAINES, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. HEINRICH, 

Mr. UDALL, Mr. TESTER, and Mrs. GILLIBRAND) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the crew of the San Antonio Rose, B–17F, who 

sacrificed their lives during World War II, and honoring 

their memory during the week of the 75th anniversary 

of that tragic event. 

Whereas, in 1943, the ongoing fighting against the Japanese 

in the Pacific during World War II was treacherous, a 

decisive outcome hung in the balance, and every victory 

against the Japanese contributed to the ultimate success 

in the region; 

Whereas, on January 5, 1943, six B–17s of the 43rd Bombardment Group and six B–24s of the 90th Bombardment Group left from Port Moresby, New Guinea, to 


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•SRES 326 IS 

bomb shipping at Rabaul, New Britain, to break up a 

major Japanese reinforcement convoy; 

Whereas, with the San Antonio Rose, B–17F (No. 41– 

24458), in the lead, the twelve bombers of the anti-shipping strike proceeded to Rabaul splitting the formation to 

target shipping in Blanche Bay, Simpson Harbor, 

Keravia Bay, and Vunapope; 

Whereas the American attack surprised the Japanese, and 

they did not fire anti-aircraft artillery until after the 

American bombs had been successfully dropped on their 

targets; 

Whereas, when bombers rejoined formation, the San Antonio 

Rose was no longer in the lead and did not rejoin the formation; 

Whereas the San Antonio Rose was last reported to have 

smoke trailing from the aircraft while being pursued by 

Japanese fighters into the clouds heading south just east 

of Vunakanau, New Britain Island, in what is now Papua 

New Guinea; 

Whereas the San Antonio Rose was never sighted again; 

Whereas the crew onboard the San Antonio Rose were declared missing in action on January 5, 1943, and subsequently declared killed in action on December 12, 1945; 

Whereas the members of the crew of the San Antonio Rose 

included— 

Pilot, Major Allen Lindberg, New York, New York 

Co-Pilot, Captain Benton H. Daniel, Hollis, Oklahoma 

Bombardier, 2nd Lieutenant Robert L. Hand, Fields 

Store, Texas 


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•SRES 326 IS 

Navigator, 1st Lieutenant John W. Hanson, Missoula, Montana 

Engineer, Technical Sergeant Dennis T. Craig, New 

York, New York 

Radio, Staff Sergeant Quentin W. Blakely, Washington, District of Columbia 

Gunner, Sergeant Leslie A. Stewart, East Chicago, 

Illinois 

Gunner, Private First Class Leland W. Stone, Oakland, California 

Gunner, Private First Class William G. Fraser, Jr., 

San Antonio, Texas 

Observer, Lieutenant Colonel Jack W. Bleasdale, 

San Fernando, California 

Observer, Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker, 

Cerillos, New Mexico; and 

Whereas the crew of the San Antonio Rose, including Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker, Medal of Honor recipient and highest ranking officer missing in action from 

World War II, have never been recovered and brought 

home to rest: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes that the heroic actions and self3 lessness of the crew of the San Antonio Rose, B– 

4 17F (No. 41–24458), led to lessons learned that di5 rectly impacted the success of subsequent missions, 

6 including the Battle of the Bismarck Sea; 

7 (2) commemorates the 75th anniversary of the 

8 loss of the San Antonio Rose and its crew; 


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•SRES 326 IS 

1 (3) expresses gratitude to the Airmen who 

2 served aboard the San Antonio Rose for their faith3 ful service; and 

4 (4) honors the memory of the crew of the San 

5 Antonio Rose with a pledge to never forget their sac6 rifice by encouraging the continued search and re7 covery of their remains, and to fulfill the promise to 

8 finally bring them home. 

Æ 


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