USAAF
5th AF
90th BG
320th BS
1943
Justin Taylan 2003 |
Pilot 2nd Lt William B. Cox, O-523742 (KIA)
Co-Pilot 1st Lt Robert F.
Violet, O-659612 (KIA)
Bombardier 2nd Lt Fred H. Verhein Jr., O-738949 (KIA)
Navigator 2nd Lt Patrick J. Byrnes Jr., O-674140 (KIA)
Crew F/O Gerard M. Keogh, 266551 (RAAF) (KIA)
Crew F/O Fred L. Evans T-60667 (KIA)
Crew T/Sgt Jacob M. Kesler 35356999 (KIA)
Crew T/Sgt Richard D. Marsh 32405881 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt George A. Kiferd 13089529 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Harold E. Kuhn 12016263 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Stanley Marczak 16066245 (KIA)
Crew Pvt James A. Franklin 18064953 (KIA)
Crashed August 31, 1943
Aircraft History
Constructors Number 2165. Nicknamed "Eager Beaver" with the nose art of an indian and a bomb. Later, the moby dick motif was added to the front of the nose.
Mission History
This aircraft crashed shortly after take off, at an altitude of about 4,000'. It hit a 200'-300' cliff, burnt on impact, and some of the bombs exploded, the wreckage being scattered over a wide area.
Attempts to Recover Remains
Attempts were made to recover the remains from this crash site in 1943 and 1945, but
it was deemed too difficult, due to the rough cliff face, and presence
of unexploded bombs at the crash site.
Wreckage
Located on a slope inside the Varirata National Park, near Sogeri to the north of Port Moresby
Justin Taylan visited the site in
July 2003:
"John Douglas took me to this wreck. Its scattered down a difficult cliff face, down a hillside. Wreckage
areas include
the
wing, and
main
gear
and an engine. Lower, a section of fuselage wreckage
including the sperry ball turret and two other engines. Then,
one of the powered turrets, and finally,
the other wing section. There are reports of wreckage pieces,
including a propeller and tail pieces closer to one of the Varirata's walking
Trails."
References
Legacy of the 90th Bombardment Group page 110
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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