San Bernardino National Forest near Running Springs in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
B-26 No. 40-1475
Keller Peak
| | December 30, 1941 | |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. B-26 Marker
This plaque is dedicated to the brave men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States of America, especially:
1. 2d Lt Frank A. Kobal
2. 2d Lt Joseph B. Maloney
3. Tsgt Waldo C. Jensen
4. Sgt Roger F. Organ
5. Pfc William R. Chinn
6. Pfc Vernon H. Englebrecht
7. Pfc George C. May
8. Pfc Robert M. Enyeart
9. Pvt Jack C. Shirley
who died in the service of their country on Keller Peak December 30, 1941 aboard aircraft no. 40-1475. In bad weather this B-26 collided with the north slope. All aboard were killed.
Dedicated by: William K. Blake Jr., David K. Blake, David G. Schmidt.
Our thanks to the U.S. Forest Service for permission to remember those who died in the service of their country.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • Military.
Location. 34° 11.758′ N, 117° 2.96′ W. Memorial is near Running Springs, California, in San Bernardino County. It is in San Bernardino National Forest. It is on Keller Peak Road 5½ miles south of California Highway 18. Located near the summit of Keller Peak. Roads might be closed due to weather, or wildfire damage. Touch for map. Memorial
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Los Angeles, in the San Bernardino Mountains, in the Peninsular Ranges, and specifically in the Transverse Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hunsaker Flats (approx. 3.2 miles away); Champion Lodgepole Pine (approx. 4.6 miles away); Old Bear Valley Dam (approx. 5.3 miles away); Greenspot Road Bridge (approx. 7.3 miles away); Henry Harbinson Sinclair (approx. 7.4 miles away); Trails Through Time (approx. 7.8 miles away); Point of Beginning (approx. 7.8 miles away); Camp Mill Creek (approx. 8.1 miles away).
More about this memorial. This area, including the historic Keller Peak Fire Lookout tower, was destroyed by the 2024 Line Fire.
Regarding B-26 No. 40-1475. On 12/30/41 a USAAF Martin B-26 #40-1475 crashed into cloud-enshrouded Keller Peak in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California killing the crew of nine. The B-26 was one of nine rushed to the West Coast prior to being flown to Hawaii to reinforce our armed forces following the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack. #40-1475 was en route to March Field in Riverside County from Muroc AAB when it crashed. The other eight B-26s reached March Field and went on to Hawaii, from there they were flown to
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. B-26 Marker
Weather was a factor in this accident. A few hundred yards east, west, or a few hundred feet higher and they would have cleared the peak.
In 1994 a memorial plaque was placed above the crash site by David G. Schmidt of Running Springs, CA.
The R-2800 engines still remain, along with the landing gear and assorted small parts.
-from Aircraftwrecks.com
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Keller Peak Fire Lookout
Built in 1926. Destroyed by the Line Fire in 2024.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
