Memorials › CPT Bernard D. Cernosek

CPT Bernard D. Cernosek

21 Nov 1919 – 23 Jun 1953

Birth	21 Nov 1919
Death	23 Jun 1953
Cemetery	Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery West , McLennan County , Texas , USA
Added by	Theresa Cernosek on 12 Jul 2023
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44516718

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Capt. Bernard Cernosek Missing in Korea Flight Capt. Bernard Cernosek, 33-year old West veteran of two wars, has been reported missing in flight from Japan to Korea on June 23 by the Air Force. A member of the 815th Troop Carrier Squadron, Capt. Cernosek is believed to be the pilot of an ill-fated C-119 "Flying Boxcar" carrying paratroops and supplies from Japan to Korea considered missing since 1:39 a.m. Tuesday (Japan time). In an United Press story dateline Tokyo, Tuesday, June 23, the plane was believed to have crashed. Later radio accounts stated that the wreckage of the plane had been spotted, but gave no further details. The United Press story continued, "The big transport carried four crewmen and three paratroopers of the 187th Airborne Regiment and regimental vehicles." "The pilot (presumed to be Capt. Cernosek) had radioed shortly after take off that he was having trouble with his gyrocompass and was returning to base." Capt. Cernosek's mother, Mrs. Johana Cernosek, was notified Tuesday that her son was missing. In a telegram to his mother, the Air Force Department related the news as follows: "It is with deep regret that I officially inform you that your son Capt. Bernard D. Cernosek has been missing in flight since 23 June 1953 between Japan and Korea. Extensive search now being conducted. When further information is received you will be notified immediately. A letter containing further details will be forwarded to you at the earliest possible date. Please accept my sincere sympathy in tis time of anxiety. Major General John H. McCowman, Director of Military Personnel Headquarters, USAF." Capt. Cernosek, a former student of West High School and Texas A&M, began his military career with the Army in 1942. He received his lieutenant's commission a year later while serving with the famed 42nd Rainbow Division at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He entered flight training with the Air Force soon after receiving his commission and trained at Blackland and Waco Army Air Fields in Waco. He served two tours of duty in Alaska and one in Canada during World War II and was stationed at Alamogordo, New Mexico, prior to being assigned overseas some three months ago. His wife of less than a year resides in New Mexico. The West News, West, Texas, Volume 63, No. 7, Edition 1, Friday, June 26, 1953, page 1. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Capt. Cernosek Fourth West Korean Casualty Official word confirming the death of Capt. Bernard Cernosek on a June 23 Air Force flight from Japan to Korea was received in West last Friday. Capt. Cernosek had previously been listed as missing on the flight of a C-119 "Flying Boxcar" attached to the 815th Troop Carrier Squadron. The Air Force Department notified his widow that no recovery of the body was made. Survivors are his widow, Mrs. Lenora Cernosek, his mother, Mrs. Johana Cernosek; three brothers, Ben Cernosek and John Cernosek of West, and Ivan Cernosek of Dallas. Capt. Cernosek is the fourth West serviceman to die in the Korean War. Pvt. John A. Aimer, 18, died in Korea on November 29, 1950; Pvt. Leo Pavlicek, 20, was a casualty on May 26, 1951, and Pvt. William Klimitchek lost his life on the Korean front October 13, 1952. A veteran of two wars, Capt. Cernosek was 33 years old. He had been overseas since May 1 with the 815th Troop Carrier Squadron. He was the pilot of the C-119 transport that had been reported missing in flight on Tuesday, June 23, Japan time. The Air Force established last contact with the plane at 1:30 a.m. on the 23rd when Capt. Cernosek had radioed that he was having trouble with his gyrocompass and was returning to base. Born at Ammannsville, Fayette County, Cernosek came to West with his family when one year old. He had since lived in the West community. He graduated from West High School in 1939 and attended Texas A&M College for three years. In the service 10 years, he received his lieutenant's commission in the Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1942. Shortly after, he entered Army Air Force cadet training and won his wings. He served two tours of duty in Alaska and one in Canada during World War II. The West News, West, Texas, Volume 63, No. 8, Edition 1, Friday, July 3, 1953, page 1. Contributor: Betty Fajkus Marek (48445083) The West News, West, Texas, Volume 63, No. 7, Edition 1, Friday, June 26, 1953, page 1. Contributor: Betty Fajkus Marek (48445083)

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