Pilot  Captain William C. Gronemeyer, O-888807 (475 FG, 431 FS) (KIA)
Passenger  1/Lt Charles W. Springer, O-681729 (347 FG, 67 FS) (KIA)
MIA  December 31, 1944
MACR  11680

Aircraft History
Engines - V-1710-89, V-1710-91 Serial Numbers 42-93062 and 42-92801.

Pilot History
Gronemeyer was a bomber tail gunner with the 73rd BS, 28th Composite Group in the Aleutians from September 25, 1940 until October 6, 1942 when he reported to Flight School. Afterwards, he joined the 5th AF, 475th FG, 431st FS on June 23, 1943. He flew 500 combat hours on 135 missions in New Guinea and Philippines.

Mission History
Took off from Nadzab Airfield #1 at 13:15 hours with three P-47s. At about 1330, the formation leader climbed to 17,000' to avoid weather in the Tsili Tsili area. At 1335 hours, this aircraft left the formation and headed for a small valley, still climbing. He was called to rejoin the formation, but no reply was received. When last seen, the aircraft was still climbing on a heading of 220 degrees at approximately 1345 hours. It is believed this P-38 was not carrying oxygen during this flight.

Wreckage
Located by Richard Leahy and David Pennefather on November 2, 1980. Later, a US Army CILHI team visited the crash site and recovered a small collection of bones.

Richard Leahy adds:
"This MIA site is actually the first that I can claim responsipility for locating. Both the pilot and his piggy back passenger were recovered. Located ten miles south west of Maralinen. He was on his way from Nadzab to Moresby. He had a passenger as well. This aircraft was being flown by Capt. William Gronemeyer, an experienced pilot who was on his way out on R&R at the time. I have often wondered what happened to him. The flight from Nadzab to Moresby is not a difficult one at all, especially in a high powered ship like a P-38. WWII pilots have told me that the gyro instruments they had in those days were notoriously unreliable. He also said that pilots were expected to remain visual, that they received an absolute minimum of instrument training. I have a set of photographs of this site taken by CILHI at the time they made the recovery staging out of Engati. "

Both Capt Gronemeyer and 1/Lt Springer are listed on the ABMC database as having their "Remains Recovered".

Relatives
Mark Gronemeyer (nephew of William Gronemeyer):
"He rose to the rank of Captain and received 7 Air Medals. His plane crashed trying to cross New Guinea on New Years Eve 12-31-44 to attend festivities. The plane was found with the Assistance of Richard Leahy on November 2, 1981. Gronemeyer and Springer are buried at Fort Snelling, MN. I sent extensive information for Possum, Clover & Hades History of the 475th FG in WWII and historian for the P-38 Museum."

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