Pilot History
Miars was born in New Hope, Texas about five miles from Hubbard. After graduating High School and working, he volunteered for the USAAC in 1940 as a clerk, and then later an aviation cadet, then graduated as a 2nd Lt. in August 1943 and sent to New Guinea.

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 42-54082 and A-20G 42-54117 slammed into a mountainside in the Finisterre Range.

In the afternoon, this aircraft and two other A-20s slammed into the mountain side in the Finisterre Range. Col. Strauss (312th C. O.) always felt responsible for them and reefer to the loss of those six boys "a damned waste" in 1985. Also lost were

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
The wreckage of this A-20 was discovered during August 1983 by villagers at 13,000' in the Finisterre Range and reported.

A three man team from US Army CILHI visited the crash site on August 31, 1983. They recovered the remains of Lt. Miars, his watch stopped at 12:45, an inscribed bracelet and his silver pilot's wings. His remains were returned to the family in 1984, and he was buried near his parents in Hubbard, Texas.

The crash site was again visited by CILHI again in 1990. SSgt Spears body was never recovered, and it is speculated that he either bailed out or survived the crash and wandered off into the mountains.

Relatives
Anna Underwood (niece of Miars) adds:
"His sister, Kathryn Hight was excited to learn about this webpage. I can confirm that his remains were returned to the family in 1984. The Miars family held a memorial service with 21 gun salute at the Fairview Cemetery in Hubbard, Texas, Au 4, 1984.

Unfortunately, we do not know the other two gentlemen. Bill's sister, Kathryn, said that one of them was Spears. She has a letter that was written to their mother from Mrs. Spears. The two women spoke of having the same picture. In the letter Mrs. Spears wrote that her son Harvey said that was the best crew in the Air Force. Kathryn thinks Spears was from Maryland."

References
Dallas Times Herald "Homecoming: Family Buries Long Lost WWII Flyer" August 5, 1984
Spear is not listed on ABMC
Rampage of the Roarin' 20's pages 77-79, 347

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

A-20

MIA
(Partially Resolved)

Homecoming

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