Bomber Mountain facts for kids

Bomber Mountain is a tall peak located in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, a state in the United States. It stands right next to Cloud Peak, which is the highest mountain in this range. Bomber Mountain is about 23 miles (37 km) west of the town of Buffalo. This mountain received its unique name in 1946 after a military plane crash happened there during World War II.

Discovering Bomber Mountain

Bomber Mountain reaches an elevation of over 12,840 feet (3914 meters) above sea level. It forms part of a long ridge line within the beautiful Bighorn Mountains. The mountain is found where Johnson and Big Horn counties meet in Wyoming. Its rugged landscape is a part of the vast wilderness of the area.

Weather on the Mountain

The weather on Bomber Mountain is often very cold and snowy. Winters are long and harsh, with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Even in summer, the mountain experiences cool temperatures. The area receives a good amount of precipitation throughout the year, often as snow, which helps feed the streams and lakes in the region.

The Story Behind the Name: 1943 Air Accident

Bomber Mountain got its name from a sad event that happened during World War II. This story helps us remember the brave people who served their country.

A Wartime Journey Gone Wrong

On June 28, 1943, a large military plane called a B-17 Flying Fortress took off from Oregon. This plane, nicknamed "Scharazad," was on its way to Nebraska. From there, it was supposed to join other planes and fly to England to help with the war efforts. Around midnight, the pilot sent a radio message saying they were near Powder River, Wyoming. After that, no one heard from the plane again. When it didn't arrive in Nebraska, the Army started a search, but they couldn't find any trace of it. Another search was done the next year, but still, nothing was found.

A Discovery Years Later

More than two years later, on August 12, 1945, two cowboys were riding in the Cloud Peak area. They saw something shiny on a mountain ridge. When they investigated, they found the wreckage of the missing plane. Sadly, they also discovered that the crew members had tragically lost their lives. Authorities were contacted, and an operation was organized to recover the crew members and return them to their families.

It was thought that the plane's original paint color blended in with the mountain, making it very hard to see during the first searches. After a few years, the paint wore off, revealing the shiny aluminum underneath. This made the wreckage visible to the cowboys. No exact reason for the crash was ever officially stated. However, it is believed that bad weather, a very dark night, and problems with the plane's navigation equipment meant the pilot didn't see the mountain ridge until it was too late.

Honoring the Crew

To honor the ten brave crew members who lost their lives, veterans' groups in Wyoming asked for the unnamed ridge to be given a special name. On August 22, 1946, the U.S. Forest Service officially named it Bomber Mountain. A special plaque was placed near Florence Lake, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the crash site, to remember the crew.

The crew members included:

• William R. Ronaghan (pilot)
• Anthony J. Tilotta (co-pilot)
• Leonard H. Phillips (navigator)
• Charles H. Suppes (bombardier)
• James A. Hinds (aircraft engineer)
• Ferguson T. Bell, Jr. (radio operator)
• Lee 'Vaughn' Miller (assistant aircraft engineer)
• Charles E. Newburn, Jr (assistant radio operator)
• Jake F. Penick (aircraft gunner)
• Lewis M. Shepard (assistant aircraft gunner)