Sgt Willard J Beatty

Details about those listed as missing or killed in the Pacific, including current search operations.

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Daniel Leahy
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Post by Daniel Leahy »

Sgt Willard J Beatty, USAAF 6256686, is listed as on the ABMC website as having served with the 17th FS, 24th FG. This site lists Sgt Beatty as "Missing in Action or Buried at Sea" and remembered on "Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery".

The details I have state he was aboard Kester's Liberator (40-2370 or 40-2374) which was shot down about 10 miles off Broome during the Japanese air raid of March 3, 1942. From what I understand, the aircraft is yet to be located.

According to one site I've found, there were two survivors of this aircraft loss - Sgt Beatty and Sgt Melvin Donaho. Both survived in the water before becoming separated on the night of March 3/4. Donaho made it to land safely on March 4 and Beatty was also found utterly exhauted the same day. He lapsed into unconsciousness and was flown to Perth for hospitalisation where he died some days later without gaining consciousness.
(Source - http://www.neswa.org.au/Library/Article ... broome.htm)

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, the "Perth War Cemetery and Annex" is the final resting place for a number of Dutch civilians also killed during the March 3 raid on Broome. The site does not list anything about an American, nor give the details of the number of "Unknown" graves. I am unable to recall details for any American servicemen still buried in CWGC cemeteries, though have to wonder if it would be possible as an "Unknown".
(Source - http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_det ... 120&mode=1)
Daniel J. Leahy
Australia

AIR POWER ARCHAEOLOGY
http://www.airpowerarchaeologyc.com

Daniel Leahy
Lt Col
Posts: 284
Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2002 10:21 pm
Location: Australia
Contact:

Post by Daniel Leahy »

In addition to this...

18 of the 19 US servicemen aboard this aircraft are still listed as missing. Of these, I have been able to confirm 17 via the ABMC website:

Sgt Willard J Beatty, 6256686
PFC Nicholas D Bunardzya, 6999625
S/Sgt Howard C Cliff, 7021697
Sgt Samuel F Foster, 6252463
Pvt Joseph N Gordon, 34044808
Pvt Clarence B Johnson, 20911984
Maj Edson E Kester, O-22354
Capt Harry W Markey, O-21663
Cpl Hubert McDonald, 14029544
Capt William P Ragsdale, O-22514
S/Sgt John M Rex, 6581412
Pvt Richard G Sheetz, 13000321
Capt Charles A Stafford, O-22686
S/Sgt Leo D Steinmetz, 6914316
Cpl Jack T Taylor, 18034892
2/Lt Richard L Taylor, O-427045
S/Sgt Elvin P Westcott, 6386186

I have been unable to find details of the 18th as his name is hard to read on the RAAF document I have. To me it is:

1/Lt Keats, O-421213

I have tried searching for this name, and numerous other variations on the ABMC website, yet have had no luck.

The 19th crew member is obviously Sgt Melvin Donaho (listed on the same RAAF document as "Doncho").
Daniel J. Leahy
Australia

AIR POWER ARCHAEOLOGY
http://www.airpowerarchaeologyc.com

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