USAAF
5th AF
38th BG
71st BS
Dan Gillan, 2007
Pilot 1/Lt. Terrence J Carey, O-433651 (POW, KIA executed)
Co-Pilot 2/Lt. Lauren S. Meader (KIA/MIA)
Navigator 2/Lt. Philip E. Germain (KIA/MIA)
Bombardier 2/Lt. Kenneth M. Cassie (KIA/MIA)
Radio-Gunner Sgt. Paul D. McElroy (KIA/MIA)
Gunner PFC. Richard J. Conlon (KIA/MIA)
Photograhper S/Sgt. John A. Pagliuso (KIA/MIA)
Crashed October 5, 1942
Mission
History
Took off from 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a shipping strike in the Buna-Gona area. Crashed at Uhita village near Popondetta.
Fates of the Crew
After the Allies reoccupied the area, local natives told Australian authorities they had reached the crash and found two alive. One American (Carey) was led to Higaturu and never seen again. The other was beheaded by a native named "Parere", who was later executed by the Australians for this crime. Postwar, Lt. Carey's ID bracelet was discovered near a shallow grave containing his headless remains. The fate of the rest of the crew has never been determined.
Wreckage
Crashed near Awala. Wreckage confirmed by Paul Ekman and Daniel Gillan from the tail serial number.
Daniel Gillan adds:
"During our visit to Awala. (My old house was the site owned by Clen Searle and used by the Army as a base during WW2) where I grew up in the 1980’s we were told of a plane wreck not far from where I was staying. As I find WWII wrecks rather interesting I asked for a look. The land belongs to a friend of mine and so of course was not a problem. The wreck was half an hour walk in from the road at Soputa. It appears that the plane has come in from Buna direction and slammed into the side of a small hill. My friends have a garden there and as they have been turning the soil have uncovered many pieces of wreckage. The two engines, tail rudder and one wing are the largest pieces above ground. It appears that the plane has exploded on impact and strewn wreckage within reasonably a small area. We were unable to find the fuselage, however the land owner advised us that it is buried in the soft ground."
References
Thanks to Daniel Gillan, Paul Ekman, Wally McCollum and Larry Hickey / International Research & Publishing for additional information.
B-25
Photo Archive
