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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 71st BS |
Pilot 1st Lt Elmer P. Brinkman, O-660626 (MIA / KIA) Sioux County, IA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt William S. Goodchil, O-72801 (MIA / KIA) Ontario, CA Navigator 2nd Lt Thomas M. Logsdon O-726003 (MIA / KIA) Shelby County, TN Bombardier T/Sgt Henry C. Bogart, 17036936 (MIA / KIA) Jenkins, MN Engineer Sgt James W. Conner, 14056588 (MIA / KIA) Carrollton, GA Radio S/Sgt Louis E. Reabold, 14070241 (MIA / KIA) McComb, MS Gunner S/Sgt James F. Flannagan Jr., 37100627 (MIA / KIA) St. Francis County, AR Ditched January 7, 1943 at 8:15am MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-7873. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D Mitchell serial number 41-29708. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS) "The Wolf Pack". Nicknamed "Royal Flush". Mission History On January 7, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt Elmer P. Brinkman as one of six B-25s from the 71st Bomb Squadron (71st BS) plus six B-25s from the 405th Bomb Squadron (405th BS) on a mission to attack a Japanese convoy consisting of eight vessels including four destroyers bound for Buna. Over the convoy, this B-25 apparently received anti-aircraft fire and was hit in its right engine which caught fire but as the plane neared the water, the pilot managed to extinguish the fire in the engine. It is believed that Lt Brinkman gained control of the aircraft and made a perfect water landing, but the bomber broke in two in the region of the bomb bay and sank immediately. It was thought that three of the crew managed to bail out of the aircraft. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. Each of the crew earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Brinkman earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Goodchild also has a memorial marker at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, CA at Mausoleum Unit 1 Sec. D. Conner also has a memorial marker at Carrollton City Cemetery, in Carrollton, GA. His memorial marker epitaph reads: "In memory of Sgt James W. Coner, USAF [sic USAAF] first casualty of Carroll County of Lula Griffin & John Conner Gave his life in service of his country at Lae New Guinea Jan 7, 1943 Born Carrollton GA July 2, 1917" References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Elmer P. Brinkman NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Thomas M. Logsdon NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Henry C. Bogart NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Louis E. Reabold USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D Mitchell 41-29708 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25 Mitchell 41-29708 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Elmer P. Brinkman American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William S. Goodchild American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas M. Logsdon American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Henry C. Bogart American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James W. Conner American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Louis E. Reabold American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James F. Flannagan Jr. FindAGrave - 1Lt Elmer P Brinkman (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt William Steele “Bill” Goodchild (photos, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Lt. William S. Goodchild (photos, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Thomas M Logsdon (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - TSgt Henry C Bogart (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Louis Edward Reabold (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt James F Flannagan Jr. (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Sgt James W Conner (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - James W Conner (memorial marker photo) 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 7 Missing  6.40 147.55 |
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