USAAF
5th AF
312th BG
386th BS
via Andrew Keeton
via Aerothentic 1944
via Hank Eales 1944
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.
A-20
MIA
