Pilot  2ns Lt. George W. Vandervort, O-662204 KIA
Co-Pilot  S/Sgt John J. Gerrity (did not fly mission)
Engineer  T/Sgt Sgt Stephen J. Pitch, 33118721 KIA
Radio Sgt George B Kershner, 35267797 (Dayton, OH) survived
Chaplain  Capt "Ted" Theodore W. Barron, O-31196 KIA
Passenger  Sgt James M Verstay, 20633547 KIA
Passenger  Pvt Vernon R Moak, 39304877 KIA
Passenger  Pvt Charles W Raddatz, 37139035 KIA
Passenger  Pvt Charles I Stokes, 37139199 KIA
Passenger  Pvt Margarito Padilla, 38070304 KIA 11/10/42)
Passenger  Pvt Carlos D Failin (MI) (KIA)
Passenger  Pvt Gerald M Grove, 37111466 (Iowa) KIA drowned
Passenger  PFC Frank A Thomas Jr., 37139278 (CA) survived
Passenger  PVT Duane R Butler, 36154720 (MI) survived
Passenger  Sgt Edward K Holleman, 36155513 (SD) survived
Passenger  Pvt Floyd L August, 37139105 (Dorchester, NE) survived
Passenger  Pvt John W Mobley, 39085305 (Oakland, CA) survived
Passenger  TEC5 Lawrence E Peterson, 36308327 KIA at site
Passenger  Pvt John J Bellus, 27139313 KIA at site
Passenger Pfc Malvern E Patton, 39382982 Dayton, WA KIA at site
Passenger  Pvt Theodore Romero, 39083083 KIA at site
Passenger  Pfc William L Smith, 38083372 KIA at site
Passenger  Pvt Martin J Brandon, 20636075 KIA at site
Passenger  Pvt Antonio T Montes, 38070252 KIA at site
Crashed  November 10, 1942

Aircraft History
This aircraft was the 374th TCG first wartime loss. Tail Code VH-CCU. Nose number 564.

Mission History
Took off from 5-Mile Drom (Wards Drome) near Port Moresby to deliver supplies to Pongani Airfield, and carrying troops of the 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment.

The aircraft became caught in a severe downdraft, and crashed into the side of Mount Obree at 9,000' in a flat area.

Fate of the Crew & Passengers
Seventeen of the 23 onboard survived the crash. Many had serious injuries and burn, and died afterwards waiting for help. Others were not injured at all. Two groups of the most health survivors went off to find help and left the others at the crash site. The first group left the site to try to locate help.

They were followed by a second group, two days later. They followed a stream bed, and eventually found an outpost. By the time an Australian patrol reached the crash site those left behind had all died.

Diary on the Door
A chilling legacy of their last days was written in pencil on the toilet door of the plane. It is a diary of the survivors from November 10, 1942, to the last entry on Friday, January 1, 1943. Notes about the weather, their optimism, or the deaths of comrades and home are recorded on the door.

Wreckage
The crash site was rediscovered during searches for a missing Piaggio in March 8, 1961. It was unclear from records held by the Papua New Guinea administration whether the transport had been discovered before, so Cadet Patrol Officer J. Absolom directed a visit the site. The Flying Dutchman wreckage was located after a difficult trek, the last three days requiring a path to be cut. During the visit the legible diary written in charcoal on the aircraft's rear cargo door was discovered.

Door Diary
The door was recovered and was later displayed at the PNG Museum until the 1980s, along with a piece of the nose art. The door was later put on permanent loan to the USAF Museum. A replica of this artifact is still exhibited at the PNG Museum Read the door diary inscription.

Survivors
George Kershner lived in Australia after the war.

References
Forty of the Fifth includes a profile of this aircraft
Thanks to Bob Piper and April Thompson for additional information.

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