Briefing Document: Elford Raymond Bowman

Subject: Life and Military Service of Elford Raymond Bowman

Date: October 26, 2023

1. Introduction

This document provides a summary of information pertaining to Elford Raymond Bowman, a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot who went missing in action during World War II. The information was extracted from the provided text.

2. Key Biographical Information

Full Name: Elford Raymond Bowman

Date of Birth: May 22, 1922

Place of Birth: Cherokee, San Saba County, Texas

Parents:Sarah Elizabeth Bickley (Mother, b. 1889 Texas, d. 1982 Tarrant County, Texas)

Tyra James Bowman (Father, b. 1893 San Saba County, Texas, d. 1928 El Paso County, Texas)

Education: Graduate of Cherokee High School, with four years of high school education noted in his military enlistment record.

3. Early Life and Family

Elford's parents were 30 (mother) and 29 (father) at the time of his birth.

His father died when Elford was young.

The 1930 census shows Elford (age 8) living with his mother, two brothers, a sister, and his grandfather, Edward P. Bickley, in San Saba County, Texas. He remained in the same general area with his family, being listed as living in Cherokee in both the 1935 and 1940. The 1940 Census records him living with his mother and two brothers.

4. Military Service

Enlistment: Elford R. Bowman enlisted as a private in the US Army Air Corps on April 10, 1942, from civilian life in Lubbock, Texas. He had the service number asn-18075528. He was single and listed as a white male.

Rank: He became a Second Lieutenant (O-686627) in the US Army Air Forces.

Unit: He was assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force.

Aircraft: He was the pilot of a P-51C Mustang aircraft, tail number 43-24986.

5. Circumstances of Loss

Date of Incident: October 28, 1944

Location: Bowman was flying a ferry mission from Luliang Airfield to Luichow Airfield, China.

Incident: Bowman and seven other P-51s encountered bad weather and overcast skies. His P-51 was last sighted about 30 miles southeast of Kweilin Airdrome, China.

Status: He was declared missing in action (MIA) after failing to arrive at Luichow.

6. Declaration of Death and Memorialization

Finding of Death (FOD): The War Department issued a finding of death one year plus one day after his disappearance, declaring him dead on October 29, 1945.

Memorialization: Second Lieutenant Elford R. Bowman is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines.

7. Key Themes & Important Facts:

Early Loss and Family: Bowman's life was marked by the early loss of his father, and he grew up in a close family unit primarily with his mother.

Transition from Civilian to Soldier: The text outlines Bowman's transition from a young man in rural Texas to an officer in the Army Air Forces. He enlisted directly from civilian life, working as an office clerk.

Combat Loss: His service culminated in a tragic loss during a flight mission in China, a result of encountering severe weather conditions. He is one of many men that were lost, never to return from WWII.

Impact of War: The details highlight the devastating impact of World War II, particularly on the young men who fought and often sacrificed their lives in service.

Ongoing Memorialization: The memorial in the Philippines serves as a place to remember the many service members, like Bowman, who were never recovered after the war.

8. Concluding Remarks

The information paints a picture of a young man whose life was cut short by World War II. Elford Raymond Bowman went from a high school graduate in Texas to a pilot fighting in a distant land, and he will be forever remembered for his service and ultimate sacrifice.