Pilot Lt. Willis F. Evers, T-001043 (KIA)
NB
Crashed November 2, 1943
MACR 1178
Aircraft History
Engines V-1710-55 and 51 serial numbers 42-29464 and 42-93242
Mission History
Took off from Kiriwina AIrfield escorting B-25s on a mission over Rabaul. The weather was closing in over the target and rain squalls and heavy clouds. Evers was flying as wingman for element leader Schriber in the first flight.
Last sighted at 1:30pm over Rabaul by Louis Schriber, before an engagement with 70-80 enemy fighters in the area. MACR map lists his loss as south of Ralaung Point, on the southern coast of Blanche Bay.
Schriber noted in MACR, page 9:
"The last time I saw F/O Evers was when we dove into some enemy fighters. After this attack which took place at approximately 4,000', I could not see F/O Evers anywhere.
After the loss, no specific search was made for this aircraft, aside from routine flights by Allied bombers and fighters.
Wreckage
US Army CILHI recovered remains from this crash site in during August 1984. Also, in 1986 (CIL 0082-86). Wreckage recovered to Kokopo in 1986.
Memorials
Declared dead on December 15, 1945. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
References
Thanks to Bruce Hoy for additional information
ABMC lists Evers as 'remains recovered'
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Last Updated
October 5, 2009
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