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Pilot 1st Lt Robert K. Freeman, O-425072 (KIA, BR) Chicago, IL Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Clinton L. Smith, O-726838 (KIA, BR) Chesterhill, OH Crew 2nd Lt Harry L. Moy, 18004570 (KIA, BR) Wilburton, OK Crew SSgt Richard M. Cullison, 6940977 (KIA, BR) Gettysburg, PA Crew SSgt James M. Iverson, 6146915 (KIA, BR) ME Crew Sgt Wilbert H. Grogan, 6971925 (KIA, BR) Crew Cpl Saul Bernstein, 12193727 (KIA, BR) New York, NY Gunner Cpl Morris McFarland (KIA, BR) Ohiopyle, PA Crew Cpl Robert F. Wright, 16012771 (KIA, BR) MI Crashed December 2, 1942 at 2:15am MACR none Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2256. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-9194. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 435th Bombardment Squadron (435th BS) "Kangaroo Squadron". No known nickname or nose art. During November 1942 transfered to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Assigned to 1st Lt Robert K. Freeman. This bomber was equipped with a SCR-521 radar. Mission History On December 1, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt Robert K. Freeman on a first bombing mission against a Japanese convoy of four destroyers off Basabua on the north coast of New Guinea and returned safely. Later that same at night, day took off again on the same mission and returned safely. For the third time that same day at night, took off on the same mission. On December 2, 1942 at 2:15am prior to landing at 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) crashed into a hill near Moitaka between 5 Mile Drome (Ward) and 7 Mile Drome (Jackson). On impact, the entire crew were killed and the bomber burned. D. Hassemer, 43rd Bomb Group, former operations officer: "Went into a steep wing level glide while turning on finals and crashed into a hill between Wards Drome and Jackson Drome. Angle of crash was estimated to be about 35 degrees down. Crash was so abrupt that concentrated debris: didn't show much evidence of the cause." Wreckage Until the 1970s, this bomber remained on the top of a hill near the Moitaka Wildlife Farm. Bruce Hoy reports: "On a hill behind the wildlife farm at Moitaka was the remains of this B-17, with just the wing spars and engines plus smaller items. With squatters now nearby, perhaps nothing remains." Recovery of Remains The entire crew were officially declared dead they day of the crash. Afterwards, the remains of the crew were recovered and buried in New Guinea. Postwar, their remains were transported to Territory of Hawaii and the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Freeman is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot F, grave 662. Smith is buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery at plot 3, grave 923-M. Moy is buried at Wilburton City Cemetery in Wilburton, OK. Cullison is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Swatara Township, PA. Iverson is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot B, grave 1079. Grogan is buried at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem, NC. Berstein has an unknown burial, presumably in his hometown in the United States. McFarland was buried with military honors on March 4, 1948 at Gettysburg National Cemetery at section 2, row 2, grave 53. Wright is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot B, grave 643. Relatives David Smith (great-nephew of Clinton Smith) "Smith was born January 28, 1920 Chesterhill, Morgan County, Ohio." References Previously, three crew members of this crew flew a bombing mission on different B-17s during the Battle of Midway. Some sources list the date of the crash incorrectly as December 3, 1942 [sic December 2, 1942 at 2:15am]. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert K. Freeman NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Clinton L. Smith NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harry L. Moy NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Saul Bernstein USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9194 "9194 crashed into hill at Port Moresby Dec 2, 1942." Hassemer, Operations Officer 43rd Bomb Group: "[This B-17] went into a steep wing level glide while turning on finals and crashed into a hill between Wards Drome and Jacksons Drome. Angle of crash was estimated to be about 35 degrees down. Crash was so abrupt that concentrated debris: didn't shay much evidence of the cause." Cadiz Republic "Fortress Pilot Killed In Action" December 17, 1942 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-17E 41-2445 FindAGrave - Robert K Freeman (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Clinton L Smith (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Harry L. Moy (grave photo) McAlester News Capital Harry Moy Dies in Action by Associated Press (AP) January 1, 1943 "The two are Second Lieut. Harry L. Moy, Wilburton, whose father is Tony Moy, also of Wilburton... Lieutenant Moy was killed in the southwest Pacific, the report says." FindAGrave - Richard M. Cullison (photo, western union, letter) News “Hill Neighbor Tu… To Cheer Flier’s Aim” circa 1942 "spotting enemy Jap ships and sinking an aircraft carrier in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire on the second day of the Midway Battle" News "Youth Joins Navy To Avenger Death of Hero Brother" FindAGrave - James M Iverson (grave photo) FindAGrave - Wilbert H. Grogan (photo, grave photos) FindAGrave does not list Saul Berstein FindAGrave - Corp Morris McFarland (grave photo, obituary) News Morning Herald "Military Rites For Yough Hero" March 4, 1948 "...will be held at 3 p.m. today in Gettysburg National Cemetery" FindAGrave - Corp Robert F Wright (grave photo) Ken’s Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume I: Prewar to October 1943 The B-17 Era (2016) page 91 (December 2, 1942), 328 (65th BS, 41-9194) Ken’s Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume I: Prewar to October 1943 The B-17 Era (2020) page 94 (December 2, 1942), 337 (65th BS, 41-9194) Thanks to Bruce Hoy and Steve Birdsall for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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