USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
500th BS
Pilot 1st Lt. Frank E. Gullette,
Jr., O-664577 (MIA/KIA)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Jackson D. Harbert, O-798495 (MIA/KIA)
Bomb/Nav 1st Lt. John R. Duggins, O-731037 (MIA/KIA)
Engineer S/Sgt Glen A. Lamb, 19102345 (MIA/KIA)
Radio T/Sgt Charles H. Mahan, 31073113 (MIA/KIA)
Tail Gunner Sgt Jack G. Hallack, 19078197 (MIA/KIA)
MACR 1146
Ditched November
20, 1943 at 1320 hours
Aircraft History
Assigned to the 345th BG on July 12, 1944. A model D-15 it was converted to D-1 strafer at Townsville. Engines: R-2600-13 Left: 42-76929, Right: 42-76691
Mission History
Part of an 18 bomber strike on the Hansa
Bay area, escorted by four squadrons of P-47s. One of eight B-25 that bombed and strafed Awar Airfield, but was hit by large caliber anti-aircraft fire, and damaged, leaving holes in the right wing
and trailing smoke from its engine. On the return flight it
sucessfully ditched 2 miles off Mawok near Uligan Harbor.
The bomber floated for about three minutes and the crew was seen in the water. Other B-25s dropped rafts and circled. The tail gunner reportedly failed to get out of the wreck. A PBY was sent from Port Moresby around midnight, with several pilots from the mission serving as guides. They circled the area but were unable to find any trace of the crew.
Fate of the Crew
In fact,
all of the crew made it ashore but were captured and taken prisoner and taken to Kemei Tai HQ at Amron
Mission. After interrogation, they were shot, and natives from a nearby
village conscripted to dig graves.
Recovery of Remains
In 1948, the remains were recovered
from information by one of the natives, and bodies identified three
years later.
References
Warpath Across the Pacific pages 92, 367, 392
Note: This aircraft incorrectly listed by RAAF and CILHI in records as 41-30572.
B-25
MIA
Resolved
