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SSGT Walter Cecil Boedeker

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SSGT Walter Cecil Boedeker

Birth	:	12 Jan 1920 Round Mound Township, Osborne County, Kansas, USA
Death	:	11 Apr 1950 Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
Burial	:	Natoma Lutheran Cemetery, Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.1907700, -99.0162700
Inscription	:	SSgt Boedeker perished when U.S. Air Force B-29 Superfortress #45-21854 crashed 6 miles east of Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Added by Contributor: J Page
Description	:	Walter Cecil Boedeker was born in Round Mound Township, Kansas on January 12, 1920 to Martha (nee Pfortmiller) age 43 and William Boedeker age 51. He was the youngest of four siblings, a sister and three brothers all of whom worked on the family farm. In the 1940 Census the family is recorded as living in Natoma Township, Kansas. It is however suspected that the family farm did not move but simply their Census location designation changed. Round Mound Township was merely 6 miles north-northeast of Natoma. After graduating from high school Walter continued to work on the family... Read More	Walter Cecil Boedeker was born in Round Mound Township, Kansas on January 12, 1920 to Martha (nee Pfortmiller) age 43 and William Boedeker age 51. He was the youngest of four siblings, a sister and three brothers all of whom worked on the family farm. In the 1940 Census the family is recorded as living in Natoma Township, Kansas. It is however suspected that the family farm did not move but simply their Census location designation changed. Round Mound Township was merely 6 miles north-northeast of Natoma. After graduating from high school Walter continued to work on the family farm, now with his oldest brother Herman in charge and his father age 70 being semi-retired. On October 5, 1940 Walter a few months short of turning 21 enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Fort Riley, Kansas, Army Serial No. 17002461. On October 21, 1941 Walter’s father died. At the time Pvt Walter Boedeker was in training with the 37th School Squadron, Chanute Army Air Field, Rantoul, Illinois. In a remarkable act of compassion Chanute Field, Commanding Officer Col E. E. O’Neil flew Walter in a Northrop A-17/Nomad from Chanute to Fort Riley the nearest airfield to Natoma, making it possible for Walter to attend his father’s funeral. Unfortunately that is where the Walter C Boedeker World War II service record ends. As such it as yet remains unknown if Walter served in the European, Pacific or other theater of war. After World War II Walter remained in the Air Force attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant holding the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 750 Airplane Maintenance Technician. At some point Walter transitioned into the B-29 Superfortress, and then into the Silverplate (nuclear capable) B-29. In this capacity he was assigned to the 830th Squadron, 509th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, Strategic Air Command (SAC) operating from Walker Air Force Base (AFB), located near Roswell, New Mexico (NM). Walter was married and had two young children, however only the identity of one of his children his known, as she is deceased. Beatrice Martha Boedeker: 1950 Roswell, Chaves, New Mexico to 1998 Danville, Vermilion, Illinois, age 48. On 11 April 1950 Walter was flying with Airplane Commander Capt John R Martin on what was labeled as a training mission however may have had a broader scope. The plane departed Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico and landed at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM. After “loading” the plane departed Kirtland AFB becoming airborne at 2138 (9:38 PM) with Carswell AFB, near Fort Worth, Texas its intended destination. Walter along with twelve other crew members were all killed shortly after takeoff aboard Silverplate B-29, Serial Number 45-21854 when it crashed into the Manzano foothills about 6 miles east of Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was the first Continental United States (CONUS) "Broken Arrow" incident as the plane was carrying a Mark 4 atomic bomb. This weapon was designed with the safety concept of in flight insertion (IFI) where the fissile material was held in a module outside of the weapon and would be inserted into and arming the weapon as the aircraft neared its target during combat conditions. The M-102 'Birdcage' fissile insertion module was recovered rapidly from this crash site with no reported radiological contamination. Brief Walter Cecil Boedeker bio by S Muselin Vindicator I B-29, Serial Number 45-21854 crash research content by J Page Crew members of Silverplate B-29, Serial Number 45-21845, which crashed in the Manzano foothills on 11 April 1950. Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Listed in the order as recorded on the USAF Accident Report. Capt John R Martin (AC) 1st Lt Thomas J Stultz Jr (P) 1st Lt Lewis B Ranck (B) 1st Lt Richard A Coates (N) S/Sgt Richard E Cooper (FE) 1st Lt Ralph E Farmer (Radar) S/Sgt James B Karney (Radio) S/Sgt Eugene R Thompson (G) S/Sgt James R Chilton (G) S/Sgt Gerald M Powell (Armorer) S/Sgt Walter C Boedeker (Crew Chief, CE Radio, Airplane Maintenance Technician) Sgt Virgil R Tennyson (Engine Mechanic) Capt David H Foust (N & Observer/Passenger)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is SSGT Walter Cecil Boedeker's memorial?
SSGT Walter Cecil Boedeker's memorial is located at: Natoma Lutheran Cemetery, Natoma, Osborne County, USA.
When did SSGT Walter Cecil Boedeker death?
SSGT Walter Cecil Boedeker death on 11 Apr 1950 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
Where are the coordinates of the SSGT Walter Cecil Boedeker's memorial?
Latitude: 39.1907700
Longitude: -99.0162700

Family Members:

Parent

William A. Boedeker

(1868 - 1941)

Martha Pfortmiller Boedeker

(1875 - 1961)

Siblings

Herman Gustav Boedeker

(1903 - 1954)

Alice Selma Boedeker Wilson

(1905 - 1983)

Arnold Howard Boedeker

(1908 - 1982)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Natoma Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1907700, -99.0162700

2. Natoma Lutheran Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1907700, -99.0162700

3. Natoma Catholic Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2054050, -99.0289480

4. Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2708015, -99.0096970

5. Mount Hermon Cemetery
Paradise, Russell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1324997, -98.9439011

6. Bowlby Ranch Cemetery
Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1127430, -99.0513540

7. Round Mound Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2630997, -98.9636002

8. Conger Cemetery
Plainville, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1978700, -99.1232100

9. IXL Cemetery
Natoma, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2491989, -98.9218979

10. Aurora Cemetery
Laton, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2778015, -99.0847015

11. Shiloh Cemetery
Codell, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2350006, -99.1410980

12. Victor Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2380981, -98.8613968

13. Norman Cemetery
Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1044006, -99.1575012

14. Chalk Mound Cemetery
Laton, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3208008, -99.0852966

15. Fairport Cemetery
Russell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0463982, -99.0207977

16. Cedar Bluff Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2496986, -98.8431015

17. Pleasant Plain Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3367004, -99.0372009

18. Paradise Center Cemetery
Codell, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2050570, -99.2058100

19. Cole Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2352982, -98.8060989

20. Waldo Catholic Cemetery
Waldo Township, Russell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1036600, -98.8162400

21. Covert Cemetery
Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2896996, -98.8107986

22. Mount Ayr Cemetery
Alton, Osborne County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3764000, -98.9717026

23. Twin Mound Cemetery
Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2855988, -99.2319031

24. Survey Cemetery
Woodston, Rooks County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3722000, -99.1333008