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| USN USS Saratoga (CV-3) VT-12  USN 1943  USN 1943 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Stefan A. Nyarady,121489 (POW, survived) Bronx, NY Gunner AOM2c Harlan J. Burrus, 6103156 USNR (POW, executed November 24, 1943, MIA) Buchanan, MI Radio ARM3c Jerry L. O'Hagen, 3830952 (MIA / KIA) CA Crashed November 11, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as a model G-40. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TBF-1 Avenger bureau number 23973. Wartime History Assigned to USS Saratoga (CV-3) to Torpedo Squadron 12 (VT-12). No known nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On November 11, 1943 took off from the USS Saratoga (CV-3) piloted by Lt(jg) Stefan A. Nyarady armed with an aerial torpedo on a strike against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor near Rabaul. Over the target, hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. O'Hagen failed to exit the aircraft and died in the crash and likely went down with the aircraft. When this plane failed to return, it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew Nyarady and Burrus survived and were captured by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) 81st Guards Unit and both became Prisoners Of War (POWs) at the Rabaul POW Prison at Rabaul. On November 24, 1943 Burrus was removed from captivity and executed at Rabaul and his remains have never been located. He remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). According to Catholic Father Joseph Lamarre, Burrus was one of twelve prisoners taken away from the camp on November 24, 1943. The Japanese guards told the civilian prisoners that the twelve were being taken to Japan. Lamarre wrote in his statement dated April 12, 1946, "About two weeks later Indian prisoners of war told me that twelve American airmen had been beheaded on the outskirts of Rabaul." On December 20, 1943 Nyarady was transported aboard a Japanese bomber from Rabaul via Truk to Japan with two other prisoners: Sqn Ldr Noel Thomas Quinn pilot Beaufort A9-262 and Ensign William T. Welles pilot F6F Hellcat 08884. Nyarady was interned at Ofuna Camp and survived captivity until the end of the Pacific War. Departed Tokyo Dispatch Camp #5-Kawaski Tokyo Bay Area and returned to the United States. He passed away on October 5, 1987. Memorials Burrus and O'Hagen were officially declared dead on January 11, 1946 and remain listed a Missing In Action (MIA). Both earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Burrus and O'Hagen are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Relatives Are you a relative of this crew? Contact Us Monsignor Jon F Majarucon adds: "Stefan A. Nyarady was a dear friend of mine. His son Peter was my best friend in High School. Stefan was my wrestling coach from 1972-1975. He was born on December 15 1919 and died on October 5, 1987. I assisted at his funeral mass in St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, Camarillo California. He was a strong man and I still have his flight scarf and knee board from the late 1940s and early 50's (given to me as a gift when I received my flying license). God bless Stefan Nyarady and all of our Veterans." References Note, pilot Stefan A. Nyarady first name listed as "Stephen" in some sources or as Stefan A. Nyarady, Jr. Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBF-1 Avenger 23973 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List November 1943 - TBF-1 Avenger 23873 NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Stephen A. Nyarady NARA Tokyo POW Camp Name List as of Aug. 15, 1945 page 36 (Nyarady, Stefan Albert Lt. J.G.) NARA State Summary of War Casaulties [New York] U.S. Navy 1946 page 182 (Page 182) "Released Prisoners: Nyarady, Stefan Albert, Lieutenant (jg), USNR. Parents Mr. and Mrs. Stefan Nyarady, 3819 Orloff Ave., New York." NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Harlan J. Burrus American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Harlan J. Burrus FindAGrave - AOM2 Harlan J Burrus (photo, tablets of the missing photo) NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Jerry L. O'Hagen American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jerry L. O'Hagen FindAGrave - ARM3 Jerry L O'Hagen (tablets of the missing photo) Harlan J. Burrus| Harlan J. Burrus Tribute Page Testimony of Paul J. Cascio, Jr. includes a reference to Nyarady Father Joseph Lamarre statement April 12, 1946: "About two weeks later Indian prisoners of war told me that twelve American airmen had been beheaded on the outskirts of Rabaul." FindAGrave - Stefan Albert Nyarady (photo, grave photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers, Jim Sawruk, David Forrester and Monsignor Jon F Majarucon for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 20, 2022 |
 Avenger  POW / MIA 1 Missing 2 Prisoners |
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