USAAF
5th AF
19th BG
30th BS
Pilot Capt C. H. Hillhouse, O-21838
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt A. F. Neel, O-431973
Bombardier 1st Lt R. B. Gooch, O-412732
Navigator 2nd Lt R. L. Worley, O-434213
Engineer S/Sgt J. A. Foster, 6551202
Assist. Engineer Cpl Joseph C. Wateski, 7021588
Radio Sgt J. L. Hickey, 19000147
Gunner Pvt S. Schwimmer, 39678760
Gunner Cpl J. R. Bayles, 14070416
Crashed August 7, 1942
Aircraft History
This aircraft was ferried via New Caledonia in May 1942, and then onto Australia.
Gordon Manuel recorded in his diary:
"May 20, 1942: Went down and took a look at the ship, it looks like a really fine ship it is a B-17E 2617. It has to have a new engine. They are sending a new engine down by air.
May 23, 1942: Today I installed the bombsight in the ship it sure looks like a honey.
May 24 1942: This morning I made my first flight around the island.. It sure is very picturesque. The islands are all hills and mountains there are little towns all around the coastline the largest town is Nouméa, the capital. We had machine gun practice. We fired at an old merchant ship that had been run up on a coral reef. I fired over 100 rounds at it."
Mission History
Took off from 7-Mile Drome, and crashed due to unknown reasons. There were no fatalities.
Relatives
Joseph C. Wateski (son of Joseph C. Wateski)
"I feel that my father was a bonafide hero, having been awarded numerous Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star for gallantry in action."
References
History 1986 Moresby.
B-17
