USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
64th BS
April 12, 1943
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Pilot Major Kenneth D. McCullar, O-393172 (KIA) Batesville, MISS
Crew 2nd Lt Byron G. Andrews, O-665265 (KIA) Washington, DC
Crew 2nd Lt Blaine McCord Jr., O-733445 (KIA)
Crew 2nd Lt John W. Schultz Jr., O-662304 (KIA)
Crew T/Sgt Elmer R. Hansen, 16028554 (KIA) WI
Crew S/Sgt Philip A. Zumwalt, 16019084 (KIA)
Crew Sgt Bert F. Bredemeier, 17038221 (KIA)
Crew Cpl George A. Mowad, 18089283 (KIA) TX
Crew Pvt David W. Stuckey, 14068148 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Pierre R. O'Grady, 6146594 63th BS (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Michael J. Paz Jr., 7021462 63rd BS (KIA) NJ
Crashed April 12, 1943 at 01:48
Aircraft History
Assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group. Nicknamed "Blues In The Nite".
Steve Birdsall adds:
"I've never been happy about 41-9209's name because I've seen too many variations and never a photo. I believe my most reliable source is Lucky Stevens, and he said (and had written it in his diary) as "Blues in the Nite".
Mission History
While taking off on a bombing mission from 7-Mile Drome at 1:48am, the tire and rim came off this B-17 on take off which might have punctured the bomber's hydraulic system. The aircraft cleared the runway but at about 200 yards after take off it caught on fire and crashed. The three 500 lb bombs aboard exploded and all on board were instantly killed. A dead wallaby was later found on the runway, but it is not known if this was the cause of the crash.
Steve Birdsall adds:
"McCullar's aircraft crashed at 0148 in the morning of April 12 . . . . Harry Staley had taken off at 0130 in B-17F "Lulu Belle" 41-24358 with extra bomb bay tanks "to act as weather and observation ship" for a 64th and 65th Squadron maximum effort against the Rabaul airstrips. McCullar was first to take off of the main force. According to Anthony Mireles there are eight photos in a report that he identifies as "AAF Form # 14 Aircraft Accident Reports Call # 46189, April 12, 1943, Accident # 502", but I've never seen it."
Diary of S/Sgt Gilbert L. Cameron, 41st FS:
"12 April 1943: One Flying Fortress taking off from our drome this morn. at 2:00 AM developed a cracked wheel spindle—crashed with a full bomb load—bombs let go a destroyed ship & crew."
Memorials
The entire crew was declared dead the day of the crash. Four of the crew are buried at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl). Andrews is buried at Plot F Row 0 Grave 557. Hansen is buried at Plot A Row 0 Grave 1043. Mowad is buried at Plot F Row 0 Grave 1308. Paz is buried at Plot A Row 0 Grave 302.
References
This B-17 is incorrectly recorded as #209 in 63rd BS history.
AAF Form # 14 Aircraft Accident Reports Call # 46189, April 12, 1943, Accident # 502
Nickname appears as "Blues in the Night" and "Blue in the Night in some sources
Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information
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Last Updated
November 8, 2009
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B-17
Accident Report
McCullar Obituary
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