USAAF
5th AF
22nd BG
33rd BS
Pilot William A. Garnett, O-21982
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Frank A Corts, O-420576
Navigator 2nd Lt Newell A Wells, O-433117
Bombardier 2nd Lt William Crooks, O-432968
Radio S/Sgt Theron K Lutz, 6833758 (POW, survived)
Gunner Cpl Reese S. Davies, 6991607
Crashed April 18, 1942
Aircraft History
Ferried to Australia on January 4, 1942.
Mission History
Took off to bomb Lakunai Airfield and shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. Last seen diving into cloud for cover with two A6M Zero fighters on the bomber's tail. The plane caught fire and crashed.
Five crew were killed, but two managed to bail out, were captured and spent 41 months as POW’s. Released at the end of the war. Believed to be the only 22nd BG airmen who were captured and survived.
B-26
POW
