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  B-24D-65-CO "Toughy" Serial Number 42-40525  
USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
64th BS

Former Assignment
380th BG
529th BS


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380th BG c1943

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389th BG c1944

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Richard Leahy 1973
Pilot  1st Lt. John E. Terpning, O-685310 (MIA / KIA / BR) Mount Prospect, IL
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt William R. Parkinson, O-66907 (MIA / KIA / BR) Norfolk, VA
Bombardier  2nd Lt Kermit H. Kinne, O-752337 (MIA / KIA / BR) Barry, IL
Navigator  2nd Lt George S. Silverman, O-688116 (MIA / KIA / BR) Long Island, NY
Engineer  TSgt Sidney H. Branch, 13064865 (MIA / KIA / BR) Richmond, VA
Radio  SSgt James M. McKain, 33329925 (MIA / KIA / BR) Philadelphia, PA
Gunner  SSgt Earl R. Pearson, 33409784 (MIA / KIA / BR) North East, PA
Asst. Engineer  SSgt Raymond "Ray" E. Thompson, 19005820 (MIA / KIA / BR) Pendelton, OR
Asst. Radio  Sgt Richard F. Dixon, 20135813 (MIA / KIA / BR) New Britain, CT
Gunner  Sgt Michael E. Drucker, 12126135 (MIA / KIA / BR) New York, NY
Crashed  May 7, 1944
MACR  5664

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego between March 6-17, 1943. Constructors Number 1602. On March 19, 1943 first test flight. On March 20, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial number 42-40525.

On March 24, 1943 flown to the Tucson modification center. On April 14, 1943 flown to Long Beach. On April 16, 1943 to Topeka for on further modification between April 20-26. On May 1, 1943 departs Hamilton Field on a ferry flight via Hickam Field across the Pacific arriving May 19, 1943 at Amberly Field near Brisbane.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 380th Bombardment Group (380th BG), 529th Bombardment Squadron (529th BS) based at Manbullo Airfield. Nicknamed "Toughy". Crew chief was MSgt Bartholemew H. Healy. This bomber's first combat mission was over New Guinea and flew a total of 21 combat missions. White bomb markings were painted below the left cock window indicating missions flown. Assigned to the squadron until December 5, 1943. Modified at the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field near Townsville replacing the original "green house" nose section with a nose turret.

Afterwards, transferred to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS). When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-36761, 42-65349, 42-36900 and 42-65469. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 5664 (MACR 5664).

Mission History
The original B-24 assigned to this crew had engine trouble and the crew transfered to another B-24 that got stuck in mud and was later pulled out by a Cletrac tractor.

On May 7, 1944 took off off from Nadzab No. 4 Airfield APO #712, Unit 1 piloted by 1st Lt. John E. Terpning approximately twenty-five minutes late on a bombing mission against Sarmi. As the last bomber to take off, this bomber attempted to catchup with the formation, but never joined them and was never heard from after take off and failed to return. Officially stricken off charge on May 8, 1944.

Search
After this B-24 was reported as missing, a search mission was flown by two B-24s from Nadzab piloted by Lt. Amick and Lt. Russell over the Ramu Valley to Buria roughly ten miles south of Tadji to Wakde Island and return via the northern coast of New Guinea. Near Manam Island, a yellow life raft with a something partially inside the raft was was spotted by Lt. Amick, who made several passes but was unable to determine what it was and reported the find to the rescue service at Saidor. During the war, no trace of the bomber was found.

Wreckage
During 1973, the wreckage of this bomber was discovered in the mountains at an elevation of roughly 2,000' near Kaiapit, roughly five nautical miles northwest of Nadzab.

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'. It was discovered not long prior to my trip in to the site. The entire crew were there at the time of my visit. Amazingly it did not either explode or burn. The troops at Nadzab never found it. I do have a set of his photographs and they are OK but not nearly comprehensive enough. The aircraft was badly bent and the photographs only show instrument panel and under the left wing."

Recovery of Remains
An Australian Army team recovered the remains of the crew and dog tags. Many were still found at their positions. The aircraft was identified by the tail US Army serial number and an identification dataplate. Reportedly, the team detonated the B-24's unexploded bombs on site instead if defusing them. Their detonation futher degraded the crash site.

The recovered remains were transported to the US Army Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) at Tachikawa then were transported to the United States for permanent burial.

Afterwards, this cash site was visited at least two other occasions by the US Government.

1) In 2002, the crash site was again investigated by a team from Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).

2) In 2008, another JPAC follow up mission conducted a month long investigation and recovery at the crash site. This effort recovered additional remains from the wreckage. These remains were later identified using mDNA samples from two Thompson's two female cousins.

During November 2012, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced Thompson was identified.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

On October 18, 1974 after the recovery of remains, the entire crew was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in a group burial at section 30 site 486.

After the 2012 individual identification of Thompson, his additional remains will be buried at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton, Oregon on April 10, 2013.

Relatives
Ed Dixon (nephew of Richard F. Dixon)

Daisy Seaman (sister of Thompson)
Verla Tomlinson (sister of Thompson)
"The Army had declared him dead two years after the crash, but we always had lingering doubts. We weren't sure, but what he was still alive, maybe wandering around not knowing who he was. We knew he was an airplane mechanic, but he didn't want anyone to know he was flying for fear we would worry. They’ve taken all this time, money and effort to make sure families know what happened."

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-65-CO Liberator 42-40525
"40525 (43rd BG) lost May 7, 1944, SW Pacific. MACR 5664. Failed to join formation after takeoff from Madzab for raid on Sarmi. Crew had mechanical trouble on the first aircraft and took off 20 min late to join formation. Wreck discovered in 1974 north of Kaiapit."
Missing Air Crew Report 5664 (MACR 5664)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 42-40525
380th Bomb Group - Aircraft Data Sheet B-24D 42-40525 "Toughy"
The Best in the Southwest (1995) pages 56, 103
King of the Heavies page 143, 163
Union Bulletin "Seven decades after disappearance, WWII airman to be buried" by Kathy Aney March 16, 2013
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) News Release "WWII Soldier Identified (Terpning)" March 28, 2013
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) News Release "Soldier Missing In Action From WWII Identified (Parkinson)" January 15, 2013
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John E. Terpning
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William R. Parkinson

American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Kermit H. Kinne
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George S. Silverman
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Sidney H. Branch
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James M. McKain
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Earl R. Pearson
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Raymond "Ray" E. Thompson
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Richard F. Dixon
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Michael E. Drucker
FindAGrave - John E. Terpning (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - Kermit H. Kinne (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave William R. Parkinson (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - George S. Silverman (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - Sidney H. Branch (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - James M. McKain (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - Earl R. Pearson (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - Ray E. Thompson (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - Richard F. Dixon (Arlington grave photo)
FindAGrave - Michael E. Drucker (Arlington grave photo)
Thanks to Richard Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
December 2, 2022

 

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B-24

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Lat 6.22 Long 146.30

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