USAAF
5th AF
90th BG
319th BS
1943
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Pilot Robert J. Tilden, O-747363 (MIA / KIA) Pasadna, CA
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Henry P. Baker, O-684671 (MIA / KIA) Greenwood, SC
Bombardier 1st Lt Corbett Laws, O-730335 (MIA / KIA)
Navigator 2nd Lt Vernon M. Moreland Jr., O-683851 (MIA / KIA) MD
Engineer T/Sgt Keith R. Bash, 17059181 (MIA / KIA) Kansas City MS
Radio T/Sgt John W. Twitty Jr., 33128079 (MIA / KIA) Portsmouth, VA
Gunner S/Sgt Frank W. Athey, 36434611 (MIA / KIA) San Francisco, CA
Gunner S/Sgt Lester E. Bacon, 19052514 (MIA / KIA) Oxnard, CA
Gunner S/Sgt Vernon M. Clogston, 14161811 (MIA / KIA) Grenada, MS
Gunner S/Sgt John W Kannapel, 35492426 (MIA / KIA) Hardinsburg, KY
MIA February 28, 1944
MACR 4339
Aircraft History
Assigned to the 90th Bombardment Group, 319th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "The Milk Run" with nose art of a baby running with a bottle. Later, renamed "Hit Parader" with a Vargas style woman, later adding another woman with a drum. This B-24 flew over forty combat missions and claimed several Japanese aircraft shot down.
When lost, this B-24 had engines: R-1830-43 Serial Numbers: 42-38666, 42-39854, 42-38461, 42-43736. 50 Caliber machine gun (flexible) serial numbers 315214, 122219 50 Caliber machine gun (fixed) serial numbers 666625, 666420, 688359, 467977, 216359, 112463, 454887.
Wartime History
Took off from Nadzab Airfield (No. 1) at 23:41 to bomb Hollandia. Last seen at take off. Other crews reported stormy weather with heavy rains to and from the target.
Search
No wartime search was conducted for this bomber.
Memorials
Officially, the crew were declared dead on Mach 7, 1946 and Baker, Bash & Bacon were declared dead on July 7, 1946. The entire crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
Relatives
Bill Purdham (nephew of Moreland)
"By all accounts he was a good Christian man , he was married , very smart ,very brave and very young. I believe that those us alive today owe so much to these men that it is our duty to do all we can to bring their remains home and with the technologies available today."
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Last Updated
November 21, 2009
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B-24
 MIA
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