B-29 #44-61554, with the 20th Air Force, 58th Bombardment Wing, 40th Bombardment Group, 45th Bombardment Squadron. Two weeks after the Japanese had surrendered, this crew volunteered to fly from their base on Tinian carrying desperately needed supplies to Prisoner of War camps near Yawata Japan, where allied prisoners were still awaiting liberation. In dense fog and pouring rain the B-29 attempted to cross the Sobo Mountain Range, but clipped a mountain peak and crashed, bursting into flames near Mount Oyaji. All aboard were killed. In 1995 the "Prayer for Peace" Memorial was dedicated in Takachiho.

See also the magazine article in: America In WWII, April 2013 Issue, p. 64, GI Section, "Airman Down", submitted by Jeremy Amick. The article is about Alfred Eiken. Two photos accompany the article.

There is a similar article that is more indepth in the Missouri Life Magazine online "Cross-continental Story of Sacrifice", Nov. 10, 2011, submitted by Jeremy Amick. The article is about Alfred Eiken and the "Prayer for Peace" memorial in Japan for the Riggs Crew. Two other photos accompany the article.

See also the Findagrave memorials for the other members of the flight crew:

1Lt. Jack Lee Riggs the pilot.
2Lt. John G. Cornwell.
1Lt. George H. Williamson.
Capt. Henry Brown Baker.
SSGT Henry N. Frees.
Cpl. John D. Dangerfield the gunner.
SSgt.Solomon H. "Solly" Groner.
SSgt. Walter R. Gustaveson.
Cpl. Bob L. Miller.
Sgt. John M. Hodges, Jr.
Sgt. Norman E. Henninger.

Reburial At Taos For Lieut. Eiken
Killed in Japan

The Remains of Lt. Alfred Eiken of Taos, killed in action over Kyushu Island Aug. 30, 1945, will arrive here tomorrow morning for funeral services at Toas Saturday. Lt. Eiken, a bombardier with the 20th Airforce, was killed when his bomber crashed on a hillside, just 15 days after the war's end. The plane was on a mission to Fukuoka from Tinian Island to deliver supplies to American prisoners of war. Lt. Eiken was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Eiken of Taos. He was born Feb. 17, 1922, in that town, and attended St. Francis Xavier High School graduating in 1941. He enlisted in the Army Air Force May 14, 1942, and was graduated from the Midland AAF bombardier's school July 15, 1943, as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant in December of 1944 while stationed in India, in the CBI theater of operations. He was transferred to Tinian before the war's end, and had completed 26 missions, receiving three air medals, four battle stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross before the fatal flight. Lt. Eiken is survived by his parents, three brothers, Silver, Joseph and Edward, and seven sisters: Margaret, Frances Ann, Theresa, Edna Mary, Tillie and Susan of Toas, and Mrs. Clarence Winkleman of Westphalia. Jefferson City Post-Tribune, Thursday Afternoon, April 7, 1949, p. _, Col. 6)