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  A-20G-40-DO "The Queen of Spades" Serial Number 43-21309 Tail H
USAAF
5th AF
312th BG
389th BS

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312th BG 1944
Pilot  2nd Lt. William C. Clark, O-760573 (KIA, BR) Santa Rosa, CA
Passenger  Lt(jg) George P. McNeay, USN (KIA, BR)
MIA  January 28, 1945
MACR  none

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-40-DO Havoc serial number 43-21309. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 417th Bombardment Group (417th BG), 675th Bombardment Squadron (675th BS). On March 20, 1944 assigned to the 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG), 389th Bombardment Squadron (389th BS). Tail letter H. Assigned to pilot 1st Lt. Kenneth Hedges with crew chief Keller. Nicknamed "The Queen of Spades" in cursive above woman with a coat over one shoulder atop a large spade (suit in playing cards) outlined. This aircraft flew at least 56 combat missions.

Mission History
On January 28, 1945 took off from Los Negros piloted by 2nd Lt. William C. Clark with passenger Lt(jg) George P. McNeay, U.S. Navy who was a friend to give him a joyride flight. While flying too low crashed at Los Negros killing the pilot and passenger plus fourteen soldiers on the ground.

Memorials
Clark is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot D row 7 grave 113. McNeay has an unknown burial, presumably in his hometown in the United States.

References
NARA
USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G-40-DO Havoc 43-21309
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William C. Clark
FindAGrave - 2Lt William Charles Clark (photo, grave photo)
Rampage of the Roarin' 20s (2009) pages 80 (photo), 196 (painting) 197, 206 (profile #20), 213 (profile #20 detail), 351-352 (January 28, 1945 loss), 365 (43-21309, 389th BS), 370, 371 (photo). 387 (Profile #20 description), 414 (index The Queen of Spades)

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Last Updated
December 28, 2021

 

Tech Info
A-20
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