USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
500th BS
October 1943
Pilot Captain Lyle E. Anacker (KIA)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. David E. Koenig (KIA)
Bomb / Nav Lt. Migliacci (survived)
Engineer S/Sgt George M. Hardy, Jr. (WIA / KIA)
Radio S/Sgt Millard Svec (KIA)
Tail Gunner Sgt Henderson (survived)
Crashed October 18, 1943
Aircraft History
Assigned to the 345th BG in March 1943 and piloted by Naigle with crew chief Cheney. This model D-5 was converted to D-1 strafer at Townsville.
Mission History
flying an unescorted bomber strike mission against Rabaul on October 18, 1943. They attacked a 6,000 ton ship off Vunapope along with B-25D "Tondelayo" 41-30669 and B-25D "Sorry Satchul" 41-30056. Damaged by Japanese fighters on the return flight and claimed five enemy fighters shot down before being damaged. On fire, it was forced to ditch off Cape Kwoi. Four of the crew escaped the bomber, but only two made it ashore. They sucessfully linked up with friendly native people and coastwatchers and lived with them for six months before being rescued by PT Boat on March 26, 1944. The 500th BS received a distinguished unit citation for this mission.
References
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 49, 70-71, 73-74, 366, 391
B-25
