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  B-24D-53-CO "Scrap Iron" Serial Number 42-40384  
USAAF
13th AF
307th BG
424th BS

Pilot  1st Lt. Jack M. Cobb, O-665966
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt. Carl O. Beisser, O-796647
Navigator  2nd Lt. Calvin G. Brown, O-795192 (KIA)
Bombardier  2nd Lt. Melville G. Brown, O-734417 (survived)
Engineer  T/Sgt John F. Bjornberg, 18041378
Asst Engineer  S/Sgt Harley H. Hartwig, 36221778
Radio  T/Sgt Oliver Ordway, 39087899 (survived)
Asst Radio  S/Sgt Edward R. Schank, 13113508
Tail Gunner  S/Sgt Wilborn L. Craft, 14082111
Armor Gunner  Pvt Dale E. Riley, 37131284

Ditched  July 7, 1943
MACR  45 and 1487

Crew History
This crew flew six missions previously. Including June 10 Vila, June 14 Kahili, June 20 Nauru, June 21 Ballale and this mission when lost.

AIrcraft History
This aircraft was a modified D model with a nose turret. Engines R-1830-43 a) 42-44611 b) 42-44631 c) 42-44660 d) 42-44807.

Mission History
Took off from Carney Field at 3:57am on a mission to the north on a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield. On the return flight, this B-24 ditched off then northern tip of Santa Isabel Island in approximately 40' of water at night.

In the crash, Navigator Brown was not seen after the crash, and was possibly killed when the ball turret came loose and struck him. He was never seen again, despite searches by the other crew. Other crew members sustained injuries in the crash. Local people assisted to the crew to safety, and afterwards they returned to the United States.

When the bomber failed to return, eight B-24s flew search missions to locate this bomber, but achieved negative results.

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Tech Information
B-24

SCUBA
40'

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