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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 499th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Claude W. Burger (survived) Co-Pilot Captain Edison K. Walters C. O. 499th BS (WIA, survived) Navigator 2nd Lt. Louis E. Higgins (WIA, survived) Crashed July 8, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8193. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-5 Mitchell serial number 41-30028. Ferried via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History During March 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 499th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS) "Falcons". Assigned to pilot Claude W. Burger and crew chief Bright. Nicknamed "Blunder Bus". Mission History On July 8, 1943 took off from Durand Airstrip (17 Mile) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Claude W. Burger. After take off, the pilot lowered the nose gear incorrectly, believing the co-pilot had already raised the gear. It hit the runway and ended up in the swamp, and the bomber's fuselage had broken. Three crew members were hospitalized in the crash. The aircraft was abandoned. Wreckage This B-25 remained in situ until the early 1980s. Afterwards, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Memorials Burger retired from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a Lieutenant Colonel. He passed away November 1, 1993. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at columbarium 3 HH-6-4 Walters graduated West Point (class of 1941) and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He passed away May 8, 1956. He is buried at Daytona Memorial Park in Daytona Beach, FL. Higgins passed away December 16, 1995. He is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-5 Mitchell 41-30028 "30028 (499th BS, *Blunder Bus*) crashed Jul 8, 1943 in takeoff accident. 3 crew members injured." FindAGrave - Claude Wirt Burger, Jr (Arlington grave) FindAGrave - Edison Kermit Walters (grave photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Louis E. Higgins (grave photo) Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) pages 32-33, 386 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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