Pilot  2nd Lt. Harold F. Wurtz, Jr., O-814817 (MIA, KIA) Dearborn, MI
Passenger  ARC Harriet Gowen (MIA, KIA) Stillwater, MN
Crashed  May 5, 1945 01:48pm
MACR  14435

Pilot History
Harold Wurtz was born September 19, 1923 and nicknamed "Junior". After his death, he was postumusly promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

Harriet E. Gowen was born May 11, 1917, and joined the American Red Cross.

Aircraft History
Engine: R-2800-21 Serial Number 42-IZ4111

Mission History
Gowen was a member of the American Red Cross. She agreed to take a ride with Wurtz, seated on his lap as a passenger. This P-47 took off from Runway #1 at Nadzab Airfield at 1348 for a local flight. Last seen by the tower operator, headed on a course of 90 degrees (due east). It was not seen after take off. Aerial searches on May 12th and 13th proved unsuccessful.

Wreckage
Crash site was located in the Nadzab area. A woman's shoe was found in the wreckage, revealing the second passenger. The remains were recovered.

Richard Leahy adds:
"It is located about 12 NM west of Nadzab Airport. It went in at high speed almost vertically. The soil is black loam and not hard. The motor ended up about 15' under the ground. Not much left of two occupants. I visited the site on October 16, 1997. I was told that the site was visited by American tourists in 1996 who passed on their finding to either CILHI or the US Embassy in POM. I have no idea who they were."

Daniel Leahy adds:
"RAAF cards on USAAF aircraft appear as if they may have grabbed just
the serial, pilot and engine numbers from MACRs. Occasionally they'll
have brief details of the loss. I believe this was just in case something was found in the area. If the site was visited, the card usually has details handwritten stating details. This card was blank, I highly doubt the RAAF (or Aust Army) visited the site."

Memorial
Both Wurtz (Section 60, Grave 7827) and Gowen (Section 60, Grave 7828) were interred in Arlington National Cemetery on August 6, 1999.

Relative
Ernest Peaslee (nephew of Gowen)

Contribute Information