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| USAAF 5th AF 417th BG 675th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Michael Jovanovich (survived) St. Louis, MN Gunner Sgt Jack T. Barr, 33290880 (MIA / KIA) Trauger, PA Gunner Sgt Melvin G. Cope, 37225338 (MIA / KIA) Irving, KS Ditched April 16, 1944 at 4:55pm MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-30-DO serial number 43-9488. Disassembled ans shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 417th Bombardment Group (417th BG) "Sky Lancers", 675th Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. Tail letter V. Mission History On April 16, 1944 took off from Saidor Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt. Michael Jovanovich as one of nine A-20s led by Captain Alfred Moser (C. O. 675th BS) on a low level strike mission against Hollandia. Over the target, several of the nose .50 caliber machine guns failed to fire due to faulty solenoid connectors. Returning from the mission, the formation encountered a severe weather front and bad weather. Seeing chaos on the ground at Saidor Airfield from other aircraft that force landed, the nine A-20s from the 675th Bombardment Squadron proceeded to Finschafen Airfield, including this aircraft. Out of fuel, Jovanovich climbed to 1,500' and gave his gunners the option of bailing out, but both chose to stay with the plane. Prior to landing, Jovanovich feathered both propellers and opened the canopy. This A-20 ditched into medium swells approximately 35 miles northwest of Finschafen. Afterwards, this mission was dubbed "Black Sunday". Fates of the Crew Jovanovich was unhurt and managed to exit and inflate his life raft. Returning to the aircraft, Jovanovich tried to open the gunner's hatch but was unable to do so before the plane sank after roughly 45 seconds afloat. His two gunners were presumed to have drowned inside the aircraft and went down with it as it sank. Rescue Soon afterwards, Jovanovich was rescued by a U.S. Navy (USN) PT Boat and transported to Fischafen. Memorials Both gunners were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Michael Jovanovich USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G-30-DO Havoc 43-9488 "9488 (417th BG, 675th BS) in accident Apr 16, 1944 during infamous Black Sunday mission to Hollanida in landing it sea. 2 KIA, 1 rescued." PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - A-20G Havoc 43-9488 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack T. Barr American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Melvin G. Cope FindAGrave - Sgt Jack T Barr (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Melvin Gerold Cope (photo, obituary, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Melvin Gerold Cope (photo, memorial marker photo) Black Sunday (2000) by Michael Claringbould pages 75, 97 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 A-20  MIA 2 Missing |
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