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| USAAF 5th AF 312th BG 389th BS Former Assignments 417th BG |
Pilot 1st Lt Walter S. Sparks, O-735680 (MIA / KIA) NV Gunner Sgt Howard F. Williams (WIA, rescued) Crashed July 9, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-30-DO Havoc serial number 43-9499. 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). On March 20, 1944 transferred to the 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG), 389th Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On July 9, 1944 took off from Hollandia Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Walter S. Sparks as one of twenty-four A-20s from the 388th Bombardment Squadron and 389th Bombardment Squadron led by Col. Strauss on a low level strike against Babo Airfield. Flying at low level over the Kasira River, the 388th BS attacked first flying six planes abreast, followed by the 389th BS followed. On the ground, Japanese anti-aircraft gunners had adjusted their fire. Over the target, this A-20 was hit by gunfire in both engines and ditched into into Bentoni Bay near Babo. Also lost were A-20G 42-86720 and A-20G 43-21430. Fates of the Crew During the ditching, Sparks with thrown clear of the cockpit and landed 50' from the aircraft but fractured both his arms and drowned before he was able to inflate his life vest and drown before Williams who was also wounded was able to reach him. He dived down unsuccessfully to locate him and his body was never recovered. Rescue Williams was rescued by a U.S. Navy PBY Catalina that observed sharks circling nearby. Saved, he returned to duty. Memorials Sparks was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G-30-DO Havoc 43-9499 Rampage of the Roarin' 20's (2009) pages 144-146, 365 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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