Aircraft History
Assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Group, 89th Bombardment Squadron when the unit converted from A-24 Dive Bombers. Nicknamed "Minnie Ha Ha". Later, the aircraft was nicknamed "Cleo III".

Mission History
Took off from Dobodura Airfield. Attacked its secondary target Salamaua and was a hit in the #2 engine by anti-aircraft fire, which set the engine on fire. After battling the fire, the heat became too intense and the rear two crew bailed out at 1,000' approximate two miles out to sea off the coast of Lae.

Fate of Fox
Two A-20s circled protectively over the two men who had bailed out. A-20s had to depart at dark, with one man seen still swimming in the water towards shore.

After the capture of Lae, the translation of a Japanese officer's diary revealed that at about this time, an American airmen (Fox) swam ashore near Salamaua and was captured by the Japanese. He was incarcerated and later beheaded by the Japanese. Intelligence concluded that this was S/Sgt. Fox.

Bruce Fenstermaker adds:
"Sgt. Fox was captured by the Japanese on March 30, 1943 [Walolo] and taken to Lae. Natives named Nikkas and Kupay saw and heard of the interrogation. POW was handed over to 7th Naval Base Force [statement of POW OKABE Naohei]."

Fate of Ramsey
Since Japanese documents failed to mention any second POW being captured, probably Ramesey was never made it to shore, drowning or otherwise died before being captured.

Fate of Good
Good was able to fly further south to the vicinity of Labu, where he ditched. Good deployed the life raft and paddled to shore. Assisted by a missionary, and later transported aboard a barge operated by the US Army 41st Infantry Division and was later returned to duty.

Memorials
Ramsey and Fox were officially declared dead on December 17, 1945. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
ABMC lists Ramsey as assigned to the 90th Bombardment Squadron.
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

A-20

MIA