USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
63rd BS
Former Assignments
403rd BS
Pilot 1st Lt Harold S. Barnett, O-421584 (KIA)
Crew 2nd Lt. Sydney S. Bossuk, O-72769 KIA)
Crew 2nd Lt Warren V. Seybert, O-734614 KIA)
Crew 2nd Lt James G. Burke, O-669983 (KIA)
Engineer Sgt James B. Candy, 18064952 (KIA)
Radio T/Sgt Anthony H. Woillard, 17075312) KIA)
Radio Sgt William A. Mackay RAAF, 414624) KIA)
Asst Engineer Sgt Robert A. Burtis, 12033755) KIA)
Asst Radio Sgt Donald W. Carlson, 17038206 (KIA)
Tail Gunner Sgt Phillip J. Lohnes, 6930892 (KIA)
Crashed June 30, 1943
MACR 2086
Aircraft History
Second aircraft named "Pluto" following the loss of B-17F "Pluto" 41-24384 that was lost.
Mission History
Part of a strike force from the 43rd BG of 14 B-17s and 4 B-24s for attacks on the Japanese airfield at Vunakanau. Take-offs and attacks for this mission were made independently by each plane. "Pluto II" left Dobodura at 0130 on the night of June 30, 1943 and did not return. It was the final B-17 kill of J1N1 Irving piloted by Shigetoshi Kudo, whose attacks accounted for five other 43rd BG planes during May and June. Kudo watched his victim crash into the mountains southeast of Cape Lambert. Other 43rd BG crews reported attacks against their bombers by 'nightfighters' but "Pluto II " was the only bomber lost on the mission.
Wreckage
The location of the crash site is near the village of Kulit on the Gazelle Peninsula, 6 miles inland from Mandres Plantation on New Britain.
Recovery of Remains
Liam MacKay, (grandson of Sgt. William MacKay):
"The crash site was excavated in 1948 by an American recovery team which removed the remains of the entire crew. The presence of a fountain pen at the wreck site helped to identify the aircraft."
Brian Bennett adds:
"B17F 41-24543 was visited shortly after its crash by locals and by a Japanese patrol a bit later. Several sets of remains were recovered post war from shallow graves at this site.
Memorial
The crew of "Pluto II" is interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis Section 84, Site 403-405
References
Pride of Seattle page 14
Moonlight Interceptor mentions this loss
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information
B-17
