Capt Richard Elliott Fate (1920-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

Richard Elliot Fate was born on 8 November 1920 to parents: Grace B. and John E. Fate of Wahoo in Saunders County, Nebraska. He enlisted (ASN: 17019843) in the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet on 21 May 1941 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Graduated from Primary/Basic/Advanced Flying Schools, and was commissioned (AO-433666) a Second Lieutenant in the USAAF. Underwent B-29 aircraft transition and combat crew training at Great Bend Army Air Field, Kansas.

He deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO), and was assigned to 20th Air Force, XXI Bomber Command, 73rd Bomb Wing, 497th Bombardment Group (VH), 869th Bomber Squadron stationed at Isely Field on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.

After numerous combat missions, he flew as the Aircraft Command Pilot aboard a Boeing B-29A-40-BN Superfortress, nicknamed "Fickle Finger of Fate" serial #44-61663, tail code A-Square-16, enroute to Kwajalein and the United States.

Approximately two hours after take-off, the #1 engine caught fire and had to be feathered to extinguish the fire. The crew radioed they would return to Saipan. At approximately 0230 hours, on 5 October 1945, the aircraft crashed while landing in a strong cross-wind at Kobler Naval Air Field on Saipan.

Captain Fate and 15 others did not survive the crash.

Richard E Fate