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  B-24D-115-CO Liberator Serial Number 42-40924  
USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
403rd BS

Pilot  1st Lt. Robert J. Schuessler, O-672883 (KIA, BR) IL
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt. Linwood W. Perkins, O-801305 (KIA, BR) ME
Navigator/Observer  1st Lt. Louis Metaxatos, O-449985 (KIA, BR) MA
Navigator   2nd Lt. Samuel E. Adams, O-803935 (KIA, BR) OH
Engineer  TSgt Anthony M. Cucchiaio, 32457514 (KIA, BR) NJ
Crew  2nd Lt. Jay A. Porter, O-731395 (KIA, BR)
Crew  TSgt Vernon Harper, 34337453 (KIA, BR) AL
Crew  SSgt Joseph A. Haczynski, 31223212 (KIA, BR) MA
Crew  Sgt Frank Macano, 33249349 (KIA, BR)
Crew  SSgt Walter A. Majawski, 35313949 (KIA, BR)
Crew  SSgt Carl L. Wallenharst, 35464667 (KIA, BR)
Observer  C. W. Schrander, NEI Army (KIA, BR)
Crashed  November 1, 1943
MACR  15601

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated in San Diego. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-115-CO Liberator serial number 42-40924. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 403rd Bombardment Squadron (403rd BS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine and weapon serial numbers unknown.

Mission History
On November 1, 1943 at 2:00am took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Robert J. Schuessler on a weather reconnaissance flight bound for Rabaul. This B-24 crashed on take off at the end of the runway, killing the entire crew. The cause of the crash was never determined.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission and their remains were recovered. Postwar, the remains of the crew were transported to the United States for permanent burial.

Three of the crew are buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Metaxatos at plot B grave 635. Cucchiaio at plot O grave 1350. Adams at plot C grave 1495.

Schuessler is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34 site 1711.

Harper is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tallassee, AL.

Perkins is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Bangor, ME.

Porter at Union Cemetery in Humboldt, IA at lot 34 block 13.

The burials of Haczynski, Macano, Majawski and Wallenharst are unknown, but presumed to be in private cemeteries in their hometowns in the United States.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Joseph A. Haczynski

Missing Air Crew Report 15601 (MACR 15601) does not list the serial number of this bomber
FindAGrave - Lieut Louis Metaxatos (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Robert J Schuessler (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Samuel E Adams (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Anthony M Cucchiaio (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Lieut Linwood W Perkins date of death incorrectly listed as November 1, 1944
FindAGrave - LT Jay A. Porter
FindAGrave - Sgt Vernon Harper (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Joseph Haczynski date of death incorrectly listed as 1945

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Last Updated
October 31, 2022

 

Tech Info
B-24
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