USAAF
5th AF
19th BG
30th BS
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Pilot 1/Lt Earl L. Hageman, Jr., O-417618 (MIA / KIA ) WA
Crew 1/Lt Dale E. Hanson, O-425083 (MIA / KIA ) IA
Crew 2/Lt Angelo P. Bianco, O-434589 (MIA / KIA ) PA
Crew 2/Lt Wade H. Lowry, O-431682 (MIA / KIA ) NC
Crew S/Sgt Michael G. Adamow, 6946756 (MIA / KIA ) PA
Crew Sgt Thomas H. Jack, 6149279 (MIA / KIA ) ME
Crew Cpl Frank J. Mehock, 7021597 (MIA / KIA ) PA
Crew PFC Thomas W. Wilzbacher, 17026627 (MIA / KIA ) MN
Tail Gunner Sgt Frank W. Plunkett, 6578296 (MIA / KIA ) WV
MIA October 5, 1942
MACR 15207
Aircraft History
One of thirty-two brand-new Flying Fortresses delivered to Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA, between May and June 1942, for Britain as part of Lend-Lease agreement. Boeing applied the RAF roundels and numbers at the factory, but retained their original Army Air Forces radio call numbers on their tails. These would be painted over after the aircraft arrived in England. However, during the first week of August 1942, four of this batch of Fortresses: B-17E 41-9235, B-17E 41-9234, B-17E 41-9244 and this bomber were instead assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group, and ferried to Australia (SUMAC).
Wartime History
Took off from Mareeba Airfield and refueled at 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby. One of six B-17s that bombed Vunakanau Airdrome led by Major Rouse.
Other the target, the formation was attacked by approximately 25 Zeros, most of the attacks being directed against the lead aircraft and this B-17. After about the third attack, this bomber was seen to have an engine feathered and shortly thereafter smoke was seen coming from another engine. The aircraft left the formation and was alst seen entering a small cloud with 11 Zeros in pursuit.''
Memorials
The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission and are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
Relatives
Maury Hurt (nephew of Frank Plunkett)
"Sgt Frank Plunkett, served as a B-17 tail gunner, and flew in the Battle of Midway (with Lt. Jack Whidden on B-17 41-2428) prior to being transferred in August 1942 to the 5th AF, 19th BG, 30th. One of the rewards of my research was that I was able to find Lt. Jack Whidden, who retired as a colonel and is alive and well at 87. He remembers Sgt Plunkett well, as Plunkett was one of the members of his first crew in 1941-42. Col Whidden is the only person I've ever been able to talk with who knew him in the service. His memory is no less than incredible, and he loves to talk about "the old days" "
References
Bruce Hoy status card, PNG Museum
B-17 At Black Cat Pass by Steve Birdsall, Flightpath
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Last Updated
November 8, 2009
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B-17
MIA
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