A-20G-25 "Sweet Milk" | "Baby Doll II" Serial 43-9113 Tail F

USAAF
5th AF
312th BG
386th BS

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via Andrew Keeton
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via Aerothentic 1944
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via Hank Eales 1944
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Justin Taylan 2003

 

Pilot  1st Lt. Stanley M Keeton, O-804175 (Hillsburo, TX) (MIA / KIA)
Gunner  S/Sgt John S. Turek, 16065871 (MIA / KIA)
Crashed  May 15, 1944
MACR  779

Aircraft History
This aircraft was shared by two pilots. The right side had the "Baby Doll II", the nickname of Frank C. Hogan. The left side had "Sweet Milk", the nickname Stanley Keeton, the other pilot.

Mission History
Took off from Gusap for a bombing and strafing mission. During an attack over Dagua Airstrip, the aircraft was lost at 9:20, saw suddenly nose over and wreckage burned immediately.

(Captain 386th BS and flight leader) Hank Eales recalls:
"On that day May 15, 1944 I was nursing a sprained wrist and on the doctor's advice I was not to fly. Stan had been wanting to lead my 'A' flight and so he was assigned to take my place. I wondered for many years why him and not me, normally I would have been leading that flight that day. Call it fate I guess. From reports that I had at the time, from his wingmen, his plane was hit on his strafing and skip bombing run. I was told that he tried to get out and it was reported that it appeared that he had pulled the rip cord of his chute, it looked like the chute was trailing the plane down and into the trees. However, it could have been trailing smoke. Now, if this was the case, there couldn't be any escape and at that speed, no survivors. All this time we all thought that he and his gunner couldn't possibly survive the crash. This story that you have forwarded puts a new direction to the crash. With the terrain around the Dagua and the trees at the end of the runway I don't see how it was possible, but funny things happen with no explanation. It was tough putting his effects together for shipment home."

Recovery of Remains
Remains of the crew were recovered at the end of the war from the crash site and both were buried at the Manila American Cemetery. More remains were found and recovered in 1972 by the Australian Assistant District Commissioner in East Sepik Province.

Wreckage Today
The wreck consists of the tail of the aircraft, broken off and a separated from the main body of wreckage. The "club" marking of the 386th BS is still visible on both sides of the tail, as well as the serial number. Nearby are the wings and engines. Also, remains of the cockpit and nose.

Justin Taylan visited this wreck in 2003:
"The wreckage is still there in a Sago Swamp. According to the locals, the crew survived the crash, and were executed by the Japanese, and the aircraft was burned. A local man had a ring he found near the wreckage that belonged to one of the crew, and wants to return it to the relatives in the United States."

Resources
Thanks Andrew Keeton and Hank Eales also Aerothentic for the historical details of the mission.

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Tech Info
A-20

MIA
MIA

 

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