USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
64th
BS
Former Unit Assignment:
380th BG
529th BS
Pilot Lt. John E Terpnin, O-685310
Co-Pilot 2Lt William R. Parkinson
Bombardier 2Lt Kermit H. Kinne
Navigator 2Lt George S. Silverman
Engineer TSgt Sidney E. Branch
Radio SSgt James M. McKain
Gunner SSgt Earl R. Pearson
Asst. Engineer SSgt Raymond E. Thompson
Asst. Radio Sgt Richard F. Dixon (New Britain, CT)
Gunner Sgt Micheal E. Drucker
MIA May 7, 1944
MACR 5664
Mission History
Failed to join formation after take off from Nadzab Airfield for
a raid on Sarmi . Crew had mechanical trouble
on their first bomber and took off 20 minutes late to join formation aboard this bomber. Failed to return from the mission.
Wreckage
Discovered in 1974, north of Kaiapit.
Richard Leahy adds:
"I visited this site on Sunday September 16, 1973 and did not take too many details as it had already been reported to authorities, it was at 2,000'. I do have a set of his photographs and they are OK but not nearly comprehentive enough."
Recovery of Remains
Many of the crew's remains found still at their positions. An Australian
Army team carried out their remains. The remains were brought to the
US Army Central Identification Labratory branch at
Tachikawa, Japan.
Relatives
Ed Dixon (nephew of Richard F. Dixon)
B-24
MIA
