Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:30 pm
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)
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)