USAAF
19th BG
435th BS 'Kangaroo Squadron'
1942
Pilot 1st Lt Wilson L. Cook, O-417007 (Bradley,
OK)
Co-Pilot F/Sgt George S. Andrews, 6694 RAAF (Brisbane, QLD)
Navigator 2Lt Hubert S. Mobley, O-441131 (Tampa, FL)
Bombardier 2Lt Joseph R. Cunningham, O-433008 (Travelers Rest,
SC)
Engineer SSgt Elwyn O. Rahier, 6566980
Asst. Engineer SSgt John J. Dunbar (Tujunga, CA)
Radio TSgt Irving W. McMichael, 6580398 (Lincon, NE)
Asst Radio Cpl Charles M. Hartman, 6583190 (Gettysburg SD)
AVS / Gunner Pvt David B. Beattie, 16039053
Gunner Cpl Richard K. Pastor, 12007946 (Lynbrook, NY)
MIA August 14, 1942
Aircraft History
This aircraft was paid for by the citizens of Seatle, Washington
State during a bond campaign sponsored by the newspaper to
raise $280,535 to pay for a B-17E. The bomber these funds purchased
was nicknamed "Chief Seattle from the Pacific Northwest", and cristened
in a ceremony on March 5, 1942.
Wartime History
Sent overseas by July 1942 to join the
19th BG. It was briefly assigned to the 43rd BG, flown to Fenton, then
recalled and assigned to 19th BG 435th BS two days later. Its first mission
was recon over Rabaul and Kavieng. For its upcoming second mission, the bomber flew from Townsville to 7-Mile (Jackson Drome) near Port Moresby.
Mission History
Took off at 6:02am on on a recon mission flying
to Buna, Gasmata, Rabaul, Kavieng and the Solomons sea lanes, and to report
any enemy activity. Nothing was ever heard from the plane again,
presumed lost sometime between 10am - 7pm.
References
"Chief Seattle from the Pacific Northwest" by
Glen Spieth, 1988 (self-publshed) four page pamphlet.
B-17
MIA
Australia @ War Chief Seattle
