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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt Joseph H. Castelli, O-791674 (MIA / KIA) MA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hugh A. Phelps O-735651 (MIA / KIA) NC Gunner Sgt Daniel W. Atkins, 6896381 (KIA, BR) NC Rear Gunner Pfc Harry J. Spies, 37419641 (MIA / KIA) IA Crashed August 7, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5581. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12946. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). Nicknamed "Margaret". Mission History On August 7. 1943 took off from Port Moresby pilot 1st Lt Joseph H. Castelli on a mission to practice formation flying. During the flight, this B-25 flew too low and crashed into the sea roughly two miles due east of Buna Airfield. This B-25 was officially condemned on August 9, 1943. Ryan Piper adds: "My dad, Herschel Piper, was a Gunner R/O in the 3rd BG 90th BS at the time of this event. In fact he was an eye witness flying in the same formation. This is an entry from his WWII diary describing what he saw: Herschel Piper Diary: "August 7, 1943: We lost Spies, my best buddy today, + on a routine local practice mission. There was a 3 plane formation flight practicing flying low over the water off coast of Buna. Lt. Helbert + I were also flying that day + saw the whole thing. Lt. Castelli, Lt. Phelps, Sgt. Atkins + Spies were all killed when the plane flew into the water. The left engine hit the water + broke the propeller off. It then flipped over + the right wing dug in + broke off + the plane flipped over on it's back + sank in a matter of seconds. Castelli + Atkins were thrown clear + pulled out of the water dead. Lt. Phelps + Spies are still in the wreckage in 10 fathoms of water. They may pull the wreck up + recover the bodies. There's some talk of it." Recovery of Remains At the time, only the body of Sgt Atkins was recovered. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the crash. The American crew members are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. After his remains were recovered, Atkins was permanently buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Spray, NC. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12946 "12946 condemned Aug 9, 1943" 90th Bombardment Squadron microfilm, frame 669 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph H. Castelli American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Hugh A. Phelps American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Harry J. Spies FindAGrave - 1Lt Joseph H Castelli (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2LT Hugh A Phelps (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Daniel Webster Atkins (photo, grave photo) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25 Mitchell 41-12946 Herschel Piper Diary August 7, 1943 via Ryan Piper (son) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 B-25  MIA 3 Missing |
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