Aircraft History
Constructor Number 969. This C-87 was assigned to the ATC (Air Transport Command).

Passengers
Lt. Gen. Millard F. Harmon was commanding general of the AAF/POA (7th Air Force) and and Deputy Commander of the 20th Air Force. On March 2, Major General Willis H Hale, AAFPOA deputy commander for operations, assumes Harmon's positions. Depot Field on Guam was renamed "Harmon Field" in his honor. Decorations: Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, British Most Honorable Order of the Bath, French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star.

Brigadier General James R. Andersen, served as a staff officer in strategic planning during World War II, with assignments in Washington, D.C. and the Pacific. In 1944, as a colonel, he went to Hawaii as the chief of staff, Headquarters Army Air Forces, Pacific Ocean Area (AAF/POA). He was the principal planner for the move of the headquarters to Guam, which was accomplished in January 1945. Andersen was promoted to Brigadier General that same month. On Guam, North Field renamed "Andersen Field" in his honor.

Mission History
Took from Guam on a flight to Hawaii transporting senior staff for prepare for a high-level meeting on plans for the final assault on Japan. Weather was reported as broken clouds at 3,000' - 6,000'. The first leg of the flight to Kwajalein was successful. The aircraft was lost at sea between Kwajalein and Hawaii.

Last contact was by radio at 12:15 with Sgt Stanley H. Long, reporting the aircraft's position as 11 degrees 15' north, 174 degrees 15' east.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on February 26, 1945. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl).

References
MACR 12769 does not list engine serial numbers of this aircraft and incorrectly lists McInerney as 'McInery'.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 19, 2009

C-87

MIA