Pilot History
Pollard was lost on his first mission.

Aircraft History
Assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Group, 8th Bombardment Squadron. Next, assigned to the 312th Bombardment Group, 389th Bombardment Squadron.

Mission History
One of nine A-20s that took off from Gusap Airfield led by Major Wells a mission attacking Alexishafen Airfield at 8:30am. Returning from the mission in the afternoon, the formation of eight A-20s was low on fuel and were following Ken Hedges in bad weather into the Finisterre Range. This aircraft plus A-20G 42-54085 and A-20G 42-54117. slammed into a mountainside in the Finisterre Range.

The next day, the 398th Bombardment Squadron A-20s searched for the missing A-20s, but found no trace of them, and continued to search for the next week and other 5th Air Force aircraft were notified to search.

Col. Strauss (312th BG C. O.) in 1985 referred to the loss of those six boys "a damned waste", he always felt responsible.

Wreckage
This crash site was discovered at 9,500' 15 miles south of Saidor area, as badly smashed wreckage. Visited by US Army CILHI in September 1983, but no remains were recovered (but this is not noted on ABMC). Visited again on August 22, 1990.

Memorials
Both crew members were officially declared dead on January 27, 1946. Both are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
Rampage of the Roarin' 20's pages 77-79, 363 (lists discovery as 1989 and tail letter as "W")

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009