A-20A "Minnie Ha Ha" Serial Number 40-170

USAAF
5th AF
3rd BG
89th BS

 

PIlot  Captain D. E. "Buck" Good (survived)
Gunner  S/Sgt. Joseph Fox (POW/KIA/MIA)
Photographer  Pvt. William M. Ramsey (MIA/KIA)
Ditched  March 26, 1943

Mission History
Attacked its secondary target of Salamaua and took a hit in an engine from anti-aircraft fire, which set it on fire. After battling a fire on board, the heat became too intense and the rear two crew bailed out at 1,000' aproximatey two miles out to sea off the coast of Lae. 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.

Good was able to go further south to the vicinity of Labu, where he crash-landed in the sea. Good got aboard the plane's life raft and paddled to shore. He later returned to his squadron.

Fate of Fox
After the capture of Lae, the translation of a Japanese officer's diary revealed that at about this time, an American airman swam ashore near Salamaua and was captured. The POW was subsequently executed after a period of incarceration. Intelligence concluded that this was S/Sgt. Fox, and the failure to mention as second POW probably indicated that Pvt. Ramsey never made it to shore and drowned.

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]."

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Tech Info
A-20

MIA
MIA

 

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