Ramon F. Noches
March 4, 1918 – June 6, 1945
Class: 44-G-TE
Graduation date: 8/4/1944
Rank at time of graduation: Flt. Officer
Unit: 477th Bombardment Group
Service # T64626
From: Junction City KS
Ramon F. Noches graduated from Advance Flying training at Tuskegee Army Air Field as a Flight Officer on August 4, 1944 as a twin engine pilot. His entire twin engine class was immediately transferred to Douglas Army Air Field, Douglas, Arizona for B-25 Transition Training. He then joined the 477th (Med) Bombardment Group on November 7, 1944 and was assigned to the 619th Bombardment Squadron (M) on December 2, 1944.
On June 5, 1944 F/O Noches was assigned as co-pilot on B-25J 44-30184 to perform a routine navigation flight from Godman Field, Ky to TAAF, Tuskegee, Ala., and return. He departed Godman Field at 1345 and arrived at Tuskegee at 1552. On arrival at TAAF it was learned that there was no 100/130 octane gasoline available, so it was decided to land at Gunter Field, Ala for service.
The aircraft departed TAAF at 2245 and arrived at Gunter Field at 2303. That aircraft was serviced with 425 gallons of 100/130 octane gasoline. At approximately 0005, 6 June 1945, the aircraft departed Gunter Field en-route to Godman Field, Ky.
Take off was made into the east on runway 10-28. At 0006 the ship crashed in a tree covered swamp approximately three and one-half miles east of Gunter Field. The wreckage caught fire and burned almost completely, except for a few scattered pieces. All personnel aboard, with the exception of one, were dead when the rescue party arrived at the scene of the accident.
Due to the aircraft being completely destroyed it was impossible to determine the cause of the accident.
The pilot violated Operations Order #121 dated 5 June 1945, 619th Bomb Sq. in taking two passengers unauthorized F/O Denny C. Jefferson and Pvt. James Ewing.
Six other airmen were also killed:
Flt. Off. Charles E Wilson, Pilot
Flt. Off. Edward Glover Navigator
Cpl. Luther A Cox Radio Operator
Cpl. Henry H Valentine Radio Operator
Pvt. James Ewing Passenger
Flt. Off. Denny C Jefferson Flight Officer
Watch this great video about the life of Ramon Noches on YouTube!
*Disclaimer, they state the Airmen never lost a bomber which is not accurate. Read the “Eleven Myths about the Tuskegee Airmen” by Dr. Daniel Haulman
Another great story to read! Airman continues grandfather’s Tuskegee legacy at Balad
Sources:
Craig Huntly, Subject Matter Expert
Findagrave.com
