Mission History
There was a crew change in the days prior to the mission. The original pilot for the crew was Lt. Norman Coorssen. He, the co-pilot, and the photographer were replaced prior to the mission.

Hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire, crashed into the sea between Koror and Babeldaub. Three crew members bailed out and made it to a village. Captured by the Japanese and later executed.

Wreckage
Located by located by Bent Prop headed by Pat Scannon on January 26, 2004 on a coral head approximately two miles west of Babeldaub. The rear fuselage was also located, separated from nose and starboard wing.

MIA Investigation
In late January 2006, JPAC augmented with divers and equipment assigned to the Mobile Underwater Diving Salvage Unit 1, deployed yesterday to Palau to conduct an underwater excavation of a World War II aircraft loss for 60 days. (Reference: JPAC / News Release 07-01 January 23, 2007)

The bomber was again visited in February 2008, and JPAC conducted underwater recovery. (Reference: JPAC to conclude mission, found remains, February 25, 2008)

Relatives
Nancy Doyle (daughter in law of S/Sgt Jimmie Doyle)
"Doyle was born born Oct. 29, 1918. My husband, Tommy, and I traveled to Palau where my husband dove on the plane. He had learned to scuba dive and had been certified only 2 weeks before the dive."

Janet Potts (niece of Earl Yoh):
"Earl Yoh was my Uncle and this is the first photo I’ve seen of him with the crew."

References
Last Flight Home interviews Doyle's relatives & footage of the B-24
Thanks to Pat Scannon, Dan O'Brien and Bent Prop for additional information
JPAC continues recovery mission February 4, 2008
JPAC to conclude mission, found remains February 25, 2008

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Last Updated
November 5, 2009

B-24

MIA

70'

BentProp
B-24 Discovery