Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. Assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Group, 13th Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. Flew combat missions in New Guinea.

Afterwards, assigned to the 8th Service Group, 360th Service Squadron part of the FEAF - CRTC School (Far East Air Force - Combat Replacement Training Center) based at Nadzab Airfield. A red stripe was painted on the top of the tail and "CRTC" on the side of the nose.

Mission History
Took off from Nadzab Airfield at 10:00am with A-20G "Crap Shooter" 42-54155 on a local transition training flight bound for Lae. After take off, both were not seen again. Both crashed into a steep slope in the Saruwaged Range a few miles north of Nadzab.

Search
The next day, the first search was flown by 1st Lt. R. F. Hedlin from 15:30 to 16:25, from Nadzab to Finachafen and return, with nil sightings. Another search was flown by two aircraft piloted by Lt. Spence and Lt Hedlin. One searched from Nadzab up the Markham Valley past Gusap and Dumpu. The other searched to Madang, where he landed then returned. Both searches had nil results.

Wreckage
The crash site was later located and the remains of the crew were recovered.

Michael Claringbould adds:
"I know it is the site as i visited this wreck in 1976. it was assigned to the CRTC at the time and had "CRTC School painted on its nose. #717 has not an MIA aircrew."

Memorials
Officially declared dead the day of the mission. The remains of the crew were later buried at Manila American Cemetery. Domohowski at Plot A Row 13 Grave 74.

Relatives
Ben Palleiko (great nephew of Domohowski)
"If anybody has visited it recently, I would love to hear if it or the other plane is still in place - I would like to visit sometime if so."

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 44 (upper left)

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Last Updated
March 5, 2013

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