Kullervo T. Aalton was born on May 25, 1912 in Negaunee, Marquette County, Michigan. Aaltonen was the flight engineer on C-46 #41-5204, assigned to the Air Transport Command, 1st Transport Group, 6th Transport Squadron. They were carrying cargo from Mohanbari, Assam, India to Yang Kai China. The plane had engine problems and went down in Chirdwin Valley India, killing the six men aboard.

Because his remains were not recovered, Aaltonen is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing.

"Technical Sergeant Kullervo T. Aaltonen, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for conspicuous gallantry in action against an opposing armed force while serving with the 6th Squadron, 1st Transport Group, Tenth Air Force during World War II."

He was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China. His name on the monument is inscribed as Ullervo T. Altonen and ranked as a Master Sergeant.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com