The Search for B-29 Joltin’ Josie the Pacific Pioneer

Author(s): Madeline J. Roth

Year: 2020

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "East Carolina University Partnerships and Innovation with Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency" , at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

The B-29 Superfortress revolutionized American aviation during World War II. Developed as a long-range bomber, the aircraft arrived in the Pacific theater following the capture of the Mariana Islands. Joltin’ Josie the Pacific Pioneer (S/N 42-24614) was the first B-29 to land on Saipan in October 1944. A member of the XXI Bomber Command, Joltin’ Josie participated in long range bombing missions against the Japanese Islands. The evening of 1 April 1945, Joltin’ Josie departed Isley Field for Tokyo, bursting into flames shortly after takeoff. The eleven crew members and one passenger on board remain unaccounted for. This presentation discusses the joint East Carolina University, Task Force Dagger Foundation, and DPAA search for Joltin’ Josie off Isley Field, Saipan during the 2019 field season.

Cite this Record

The Search for B-29 Joltin’ Josie the Pacific Pioneer. Madeline J. Roth. 2020 ( tDAR id: 456951)

Keywords

Temporal Keywords
World War II

Spatial Coverage

min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 478