USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
63rd BS
Ernie Vandal 1942
Brian Bennett 2004 |
Pilot 1st Lt Lewis A. Anderson, O-416252 (MIA / KIA) Kansas City, MO
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt William K. Fox, O-660475 (MIA / KIA) Davenport, OK
Crew 2nd Lt Robert W. Schleh, O-735205 (MIA / KIA) Omaha, NE
Crew Sgt Joseph J. Conde, 15016544 (MIA / KIA) Youngstown, OH
Crew S/Sgt Archibald B. Hodge, 7006759 (MIA / KIA) San Francisco, CA
Crew S/Sgt Vernon R. Kaylor, 14053672 (MIA / KIA) Hickory, NC
Crew Sgt Richard M. Keeley, 35258646 (MIA / KIA) Louisville, KY
Crew M/Sgt Milton Kelkey, 6995318 (MIA / KIA) Philadelphia, PA
Crew T/Sgt Albert C. Nies, 6943388 (MIA / KIA) Johnstown, PA
Crashed December 4, 1942 at 0042 hours
MACR 15685
Aircraft History
Built by Boeing. Delivered to the US Army on June 29, 1942. Ferried to Australia by Captain Jamese O. Ellis and assinged to the 43rd Bombardment Group, 63rd Bombardment Squadron. This bomber had the Disney character "Dumbo" painted on the left side of the nose by
Sgt Ernie Vandal. The bomber no nickname, only the artwork, but was known as "Dumbo".
Mission History
Took off from 7-Mile Drome with eight other B-17s to bomb a Japanese cruiser reported in the vicinity of Buna. The cruiser was not sighted. The formation then proceeded to bomb the secondary target which was Lae, but it was clouded in, with poor visibility and thunderstorms. While trying to skirt a severe storm 5 miles off Finschafen a light was seen to signal "S.O..." and about 30 seconds later, directly ahead, a reddish yellow explosion was seen."
Recovery of Remains
Aircraft was located by Australians in 1946, southwest of Finschhafen. A RAAF searcher team located the crash site. From a watch at the site, the time of crash was determined.
The remains of five individuals (Kelkey, Fox and three unknown others). were recovered and buried at the USAF Cemetery Finschafen #5. The remains were later exhumed and interred at Zackary Taylor National Cemetery, Kentucky were the crew is buried as a group. Thanks to Ted Darcy for this information.
US records contradict if this case was fully resolved. The site was revisited by JPAC in March 2004, and recommended to be reopened.
References
Pride of Seattle page 8
43rd BG History frame 425
Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information
Contribute
Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?
Last Updated
November 8, 2009
|
B-17
MIA
3xID'ed
Group Burial
6.40
147.41
|
