USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
498th BS
November 27, 1943
Pilot Captain William L. "Kizzy" Kizzire (MIA / KIA)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Charles G. Reynolds (MIA / KIA)
Navigator 1st Lt. Joseph W. Carroll, Jr. (MIA / KIA)
Radio S/Sgt Roy E. Showers, Jr. (MIA / KIA)
Engineer S/Sgt Wilred J. Paquette (MIA / KIA)
Gunner S/Sgt Fred D. Nightwine (MIA / KIA)
Ditched November 27, 1943
MACR 1248
Aircraft History
Assigned to the 345th BG in March 1943 and piloted by Kilgore with crew chief Rustun. This model D-5 was converted to D-1 strafer at Townsville. This aircraft flew a parafrag attack against Vunakanau Airfield on October 12, 1943. Gunners claimed a Zero over Rapopo Airfield on October 18, 1943 .
Mission History
This aircraft was leading the formation of B-25s on a low level strike against Boram Airfield near Wewak. The third wave to hit the airfield, the anti-aircraft fire had increased. While strafing a small wooden vessel in the harbor, this B-25 was hit by 20mm shell from a freighter anchored at Cape Moen.
The right engine was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, and pilot Kizzire was heard over the radio to state: "God almighty, I can't feather it... It hit the oil sump. I can't feather the engine."
Turning back towards base, bomber successfully ditched in the shallow water of Murik Lagoon, with the tail and rear fuselage visible. The crew were observed to get to shore safely. Supplies and an escape map were dropped to them and observed until the next day.
Rescue Mission
On the 29th, a US Navy PBY Catalina of Patrol Squadron 11 was sent to the area, with a fellow 345th pilot who observed their crash, Robinette flying with them. Three flares were observed from the ground, about 3 miles west of the lagoon. Prior to landing, a Japanese bomber was spotted overhead, and the search was aborted, returning to Milne Bay to refuel.
The same Catalina returned at sunrise the next morning and searched for an hour and a half, and found nothing. Another PBY, escorted by 11 fighters returned an hour later, circling for another hour and also found nothing. Another Catalina was scheduled to search the next morning but the attempt was aborted as the fighter escort turned back.
The crew was never seen again. Unofficial radio broadcasts in March 1944 reported the crew members Showers, Paquette and Nightwine were "alive and safe" as POWs at Wewak, but no official notification was passed to the Red Cross or American authorities. Undoubtedly, they were captured by Japanese forces, imprisoned at Wewak and executed or died in captivity.
References
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 37, 55, 63, 95-96, 367, 381
B-25
MIA
