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  B-25C Mitchell Serial Number 41-12982  
USAAF
5th AF
3rd BG
90th BS

Pilot  2nd Lt Richard O. Yeager, O-790448 (KIA, BR) Trout, LA
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt Adelino D. Flores, O-791685 (KIA, BR) Fall River, MA
Navigator  2nd Lt Archibald Lindsay, O-790970 (MIA / KIA) Arlington, NJ
Bombardier  SSgt John L. Hill, 12045654 (MIA / KIA) Oneida County, NY
Gunner  SSgt Norbert W. Pansier, 36233937 (KIA, BR) Oconto County, WI
Gunner  SSgt Alexander J. Baggenstoss, 37094896 (KIA, BR) Albany, MN
Crashed  November 16, 1942
MARC  15104

Aircraft History
Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5673. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12982. 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). No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On November 16, 1942 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Richard O. Yeager on a bombing mission attacking anti-aircraft installations at Buna. Over the target, this B-25 sustained a direct anti-aircraft hit into the wing, causing it to catch fire and crashed near the coastline. None of the B-25s in the formation observed anyone parachute from the stricken bomber. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Fates of the Crew
In fact, Lindsay and Hill managed to bail out but their fate is unknown. The other four crew members died died in the crash.

Wreckage
This B-25 crashed into a coconut plantation at Buna. In early January 1943 after the Battle of Buna, Allied forces occupied the area and located the crash site.

Recovery of Remains
During early 1943, the remains of four of the crew who died in the crash were recovered and buried at Soputa Cemetery with Baggenstoss grave 176. Afterwards, exhumed and transported to Finschafen and reburied in American Cemetery at Finschafen at Finschaffen No. 2 Cemetery with Baggenstoss at grave 1245. Later, exhumed and transported to Manila for permanent burial.

Memorials
Lindsay and Hill were officially declared dead on December 10, 1945. Both earned the Purple Heart, posthumously and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

The other four crew members was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All four earned the Purple Hear, posthumously. All four were permanently buried at at Manila American Cemetery. Yeager at Plot D Row 6 Grave 109. Flores Plot D Row 9 Grave 99. Pansier at Plot A Row 6 Grave 150. Baggenstoss at Plot F Row 1 Grave 30.

Relatives
Alexander Baggenstoss (father Baggenstoss)
Gertrude Baggenstoss (mother Baggenstoss)
Elieen Baggenstoss (wife Baggenstoss)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Adelino D. Flores
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John L. Hill
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Norbert W. Pansier
Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) Alexander J. Baggenstoss
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12982
"12982 lost to AAA Nov 17, 1942"
3rd BG History 9085 page 85
MACR 15104 (MACR 15104) was created retroactively
CILHI coded this site "PNG #83"
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25 Mitchell 41-12982
FindAGrave - 2Lt Richard O Yeager (grave)
FindAGrave - 2Lt Adelino D Flores (grave)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Adelino D. Flores
FindAGrave - 1Lt Archibald Lindsay (tablets of the missing photo)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John L. Hill
FindAGrave - SSgt John L. Hill (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Norbert William Pansier (grave)
FindAGrave - SSgt Alexander Jacob Baggenstoss (grave)
Thanks to Edward Rogers and Daniel Leahy for additional information

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
February 18, 2020

 

Tech Info
B-25

MIA
MIA
2 Missing
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