|
|||||||
Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
USAAF 13th AF 868th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Gordon E. Brums, O-709764 (MIA / KIA, BR) Sigourney, IA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Anthony Slabis, O-711809 (MIA / KIA, BR) Melrose Park, IL Navigator 2nd Lt. Leslie W. Jacobs, O-2056602 (POW, executed February 15, 1945, BR) Akron, OH Bombardier 2nd Lt. Wayne P. Ruth, O-718022 (MIA / KIA, BR) Reading, PA Engineer Cpl Frank J. Molinari, 32967255 (WIA / POW, executed, February 15, 1945, BR) Brooklyn, NY Asst Engineer Cpl George Krisfalusi, 35064799 (MIA / KIA, BR) Cleveland, OH Radio Cpl Herman F. Marquardt, Jr., 36815437 (MIA / KIA, BR) Spring Valley, WI Asst Radio Sgt James W. Hagerty, 13167406 (POW, executed February 15, 1945, BR) Youngstown, OH Gunner Cpl Kenneth C. Dague, 36417827 (MIA / KIA, BR) Marion, MI Gunner Cpl Fred L. Lenney, Jr., 19181699 (MIA / KIA, BR) Los Angeles, CA Crashed January 12, 1945 MACR 12251 Aircraft History Wartime History Mission History Search Fates of the Crew Afterwards, they were sent to Samarinda and handed over to the Keibetai (Naval Special Police), two were transported by barge and the third arrived four days later. All three were detained at the Keibetai office in separate cells and each day were taken out for interrogations and beaten for about six hours at a time over a one month period. During the Americans detention, a Chinese man named Lo Sioe Hong (also known as Lo Hong) who was himself arrested by the Japanese and forced to work at the office gave food, cigarettes, pencil and paper plus water to the three crew members, at great risk to himself and his own safety. During the middle of February 1945, the Keibetai commander of the Samarinda detachment of the Keibetai, Lt(jg) Yamaguchi Sentaro ordered the execution of the three prisoners, without reference to a higher authority. During the night of February 15, 1945 all three were taken to a spot 300 yards from the office and executed using a sword by Ensign Tasuki Kiyato, Supperior Private Suguhara Isaburo and Warrant Officer Tsuda Kiziro. Others aware of the execution included guards PO2c Tameichi Nishida, Chuso Oku and Shinkichi Wada, civilian interpreter Keiichi Okada. Also Kinroku Nagata who was at the office when the execution happened. Afterwards, the bodies of all three were buried in a group burial roughly 60 yards from the Keibetai office. Postwar, all these individuals were detained at the war criminal compound at Balikpapan and were interrogated about their roles and the location of the grave. Recovery of Remains Wreckage After the crash, the site was visited by Indonesians Catjonj and Hamaid, who recovered a RAF silk map of the Celebes, Amboina and Halmahera and North Celebes plus one speedometer instrument. Postwar, these items were turned over to the Australian Army. On October 19, 1945 an Australian Army, 7th Division patrol led by Sgt Harold Brokenshire, Field Security Section with Catjonj and Hamaid. During their visit, they found the wreckage overgrown and no evidence of fire. The team failed to identify the aircraft or find any traces of the crew. Memorials After the recovery of the crew's remains, they were transported to the United States for permanent burial. The entire crew was buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery section 82 site 103C. Bruns, Dague, Krisfalusi, Lenney, Marquardt, Ruth, Slabis, Hagerty, Jacobs and Molinari. Bruns also has a memorial marker at Conner Cemetery in Sigourney, Iowa. References Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|