Pilot History
Sewart was the commanding officer of the 26th Bombardment Squadron.

Mission History
One of five B-17s that took off leading a bombing mission against shipping at Tonolei Harbor off Bougainville.

Over the target, the formation was intercepted by fifteen Japanese fighters (40 fighters and floatplanes).

Richard Dunn adds:
"The formation also included a total of 11 B-17s, 4 B-26s (69th BS) and 8 P-38s. One flight of B-17s had bombs hang up and made a second run over Buin. One 582 pilot KIA (per Hata/Izawa) was KIA."

Twice, this B-17 was attacked by fighters making head-on firing passes, concentrating on the bomber's nose. The attacks killed the pilot Sewart and mortally wounded the co-pilot Lee. Colonel Saunders, who was aboard as a passenger took the controls immediately.

Damaged during the attacks, the no. 2 engine was feathered and no. 1 engine was running away and smoking. The no. 2 fuel tank was on fire. The crippled bomber was escorted by the other B-17s away from the target, and was loosing altitude but able to fly on only two engines.

The bomber managed to ditch off Baga Island (Mbava) near Vella Lavella, and deploy life rafts. Sewart was already dead and went down with the bomber as it sank. By the time their rafts reached shore, Lee had died and was buried on the beach.

Meeting friendly natives in a canoe, the crew was unable to communicate with them and they departed, then returned with coastwatcher Jack Keenan, who arrived three hours after their ditching. After dark, they were moved in canoes to Paramata village on Vella Lavella and were served a meal and rested in Silas Lezatuni's house. During the night, fellow coastwatcher Henry Josselyn came down to the village to relieve Keenan.

Meanwhile, Methodist nurse Merle Farland was notified of the wounded crew at 3:30am the next day. She departed immediately across the island and reached Paramata village. When she arrived, she arrived to diagnosed the wounded crew members, just as the rescuing PBY was heard. Without time to render medical treatment, the crew prepared to be rescued.

Rescue
The crew were rescued by a USN VP-11 PBY Catalina piloted by Lt. Charles Willis, escorted by three F4F Wildcats. His rescued is believe to have had fighter cover. Later, Willis became an advisor to the President Eisenhower administration on aviation matters.

Memorials
According to the MACR, Sewart and Lee were declared dead the day of the mission. Sewart is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Lee is not listed on ABMC.

References
MACR, prepared after this loss incorrectly notes serial number as 41-21531 nor does it contain the complete crew list
Thanks to Richard Dunn and Jim Sawruk for additional information.
Lonley Vigil page 112-115

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Last Updated
November 8, 2009