USAAF
5th AF
3rd BG
13th BS
Pilot 2nd Lt. Sam L. Norris, O-677419 (MIA / KIA) TX
Gunner S/Sgt Michael P. Schussman, 36189953 (MIA / KIA) MI
Photographer S/Sgt Lewis B. Conser, 19024398 (MIA / KIA) CA
Ditched February 15, 1944 around 9:45am
MACR 16315
Crew History
Norris was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Gamage was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart,
Conser was a combat photographer from 5th AF Camera Unit
Mission History
Took off from Nadzab Airfield to attack shipping in Kavieng
Harbor. After attacking shipping, this A-20 was observed to partially explode at about 200' altitude and go down with the left engine and wing on fire. It hit the water and exploded about out 200 yards north of Nusa Island, another A-20 overflew the wreckage and saw only a portion of the wing on the surface. Another reference places the position as 200 yards east of Nusa Island off Kavieng
Harbor
Wartime History
Crashed after being hit by anti-aircraft fire over Kavieng,
Memorials
The crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
References
Thanks to Aerothentic
Publications for this information.
Thanks to Phil Fazzini and Edward Rogers for gunner information.
A-20
MACR Map
MIA
