Pilot  Captain William Compton (WIA)
Co-Pilot  1/LT Donovan
Crew  1st Lt. Paul Maaske
Crew  T/Sgt Paul Paddilla
Crew  S/Sgt J.C. Matthowa (WIA / dies of wounds)
Crew  Cpl Julian Simmons (WIA / dies of wounds)
Crew  2nd Lt. Edward Scudero
Crew  T/Sgt Delbert Steinka
Crew  T/Sgt C. M. Porter
Crew  S/Sgt Charles Kreig
Passenger  T/Sgt Cecil Clarke
Passenger  PFC Swain
Passenger  S/Sgt John Masiars
Passenger  Pte Daniel Pechman
Passenger  Pte Paul Graf
Passenger  T/Sgt T. Underwood
Passenger  Pfc James Colorusso
Crashed  March 24, 1944

AIrcraft History
Formally assigned to 19th BG, 30th BS. This bomber was then assigned to the 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron.

On one mission during November 1942, this bomber transported from Australia one U.S. Army howitzer, tractor, ammunition and eight man crew to 7-Mile Drome. After arrival, the cargo was divided between several C-47s and flown to the north coast for use in the Battle of Buna.

Mission History
This bomber was transporting troops on furlough to Australia. On its final approach to Horn Island, the nose began to unexpectedly rise. The aircraft stalled, did a quarter turn flat spin from 250' and crashed in about 4 feet of water in nearby mangroves.

One of the first at the scene was US Army Captain John D. Ewing. The crew was rescued by Americans and Australian personnel who cut a hole into the top of the bomber to remove the passengers. Australians from 34 HAA (Heavy Anti Aircraft) Battery and the 157t LAA (Light Anti Aircraft) Battery helped rescue those on board. 17 of the 18 on board received injuries and spent the night in the hospital until another aircraft took them to Townsville the next day. Two died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Susan Ewing-Wolfe (daughter of John Donald Ewing) adds:
"Aussies, my father and a few Americans, helped pull the survivors to safety. It was a transportation mission."

Wreckage
Remains of this bomber still remains on the island in the mangroves. In 1997, Australian members of the anti-aircraft units involved in the rescue revisited the island and crash site to pay tribute to those killed.

References
Flightpath Vol 10 No 4, pg 62-63
Horn Island page 199-200
Thanks to Richard Rudd and Susan Ewing-Wolfe for information.

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