Spain Rhea L.

Monuments

The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan

Name:

Rhea L. Spain

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-711810

Unit:

373rd Bomber Squadron, 308th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1945-03-22

State:

New Mexico

Cemetery:

Manila American Cemetery, Taguig, Philippines

Plot:

Walls of the Missing

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Rhea L. Spain entered the military service in New Mexico. He served in the 373rd Bomber Squadron, 308th Bomber Group, Heavy as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of B-24M aircraft during World War II. B-24M #44-50334 was lost 22 March 1945 on a combat sea sweep mission out of the air base at Liulang, China, over Samah Bay, off Hainan Island. All men were killed in action and the remains of only one man, Lt Harvey, were recovered. 2Lt Spain is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.

He was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is also commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov