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  A-20G-25 "Bevo" Serial Number 43-9432 Tail V
USAAF
5th AF
312th BG
387th BS

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312th BG July 22, 1944
Pilot  1st Lt. James L. Knarr, O-797844 (MIA / KIA) Brady Township, PA
Gunner  SSgt Charles G. Reichley, 13093592 (MIA / KIA) Shamokin Dam, PA

Crashed  July 22, 1944
MACR  16140

Pilot History
Prewar, James L. Knarr was a school teacher. He had flown and survived the April 16, 1944 "Black Sunday" mission against Hollandia when severe weather was encountered on the return flight. He was overseas for a year and had flown at least 70 combat missions prior to his death. Reichley flew at least 46 combat missions.

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. On November 22, 1943 assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-20 Havoc serial number 43-9432. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 417th Bombardment Group. On March 20, 1944 assigned to the 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG) "Roarin' 20's", 387th Bombardment Squadron (387th BS). Nicknamed "Bevo" with tail letter "V" and a white tail band and diamond marking, the motif of the 387th Bombardment Squadron painted on the rear fuselage.

Mission History
On July 22, 1944 took off from Hollandia Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. James L. Knarr as one of twelve A-20 Havocs led by Col. Strauss on a low level mission against Kokas. This A-20 was part of the last flight of three aircraft, led by Captain Jack W. Klein, with wingman 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson. Approaching the target from the inland direction, this A-20 dropped its 250 lbs bombs and strafed gun positions. Hit by antiaircraft fire at low level, this A-20 crashed into the sea off Kokas, exploding on impact. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

The other A-20s, involved in their own runs and evasive maneuvers were unaware of the fate of this aircraft, until the mission's photography was developed and printed. A series of four photos, taken by another A-20 ahead of it captured the plane's last moments in the air. These photos were later released to the media and appeared in Yank Magazine and TIME Magazine in support of the war bond drive captioned "Death of an A-20".

Memorials
Both crew members were declared dead the day of the mission and are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

Knarr eaned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Morningside Cemetery in Du Bois, PA.

Reichley earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James L. Knarr
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles G. Reichley

Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) - James L. Knarr
(Page 13) "Basis For Declaring Remains Non-Recoverable
1. 1st Lt. James L. Knarr, O-797 844 and S/Sgt. Charles G. Reichley, 13 093 592, were crew members of an A-20 type aircraft that was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 22 July 1944. The plane crashed into the sea near Kokas, Dragonshead, Netherlands New Guinea, at 2° 40' S, 132° 25; E. Reports indicate parachutes were not used and there was no possibility of any one surviving the crash.
2. Final area search operations of the Dragonshead area, Netherlands New Guinea, including the small islands adjacent thereto (PHILCOM Search Area No. 71), was completed 14 July 1948 with negative results relative to the recovery of the remains of the above named crew members."
(Page 19) Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) no number, no date
Missing Air Crew Report 16140 (MACR 16140) was created retroactively circa 1945-1946
USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G-25-DO Havoc 43-9432
"9432 (387th BS, 312th BG) lost in action Jul 22, 1944, Kokas, New Guinea."
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James L. Knarr

American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles G. Reichley
FindAGrave - 1Lt James L Knarr (photo, tablets of the missing, photo)
FindAGrave - James L. Knarr (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Charles Grover Reichley (tablets of the missing photo)
Rampage of the Roarin' 20's (2009) pages 151, 152-153 (photos), 155, 205 (profile no. 14), 358, 384 (photo)

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Last Updated
February 2, 2023

 

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A-20

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