USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
65th BS
1943
Janice Olson 1992
Justin Taylan 2007
Pilot 1st
It Howard G. Eberly, O-661764
Co-Pilot 2nd
Lt Edgar L. Townsend, O-799101
Navigator 2nd
It George L. Stacy, O-804891
Bombardier 2nd
It Charles E. Ranker, O-738729
Engineer T/Sgt
Delmar Dotson, 6941704
Assist Engineer Sgt
Jennings Messer, 15040321
Radio Sgt
Joseph Ferriaolo, 11041353
Gunner S/Sgt
Theodore J. McCartney, 33290785
Gunner S/Sgt
Watson C. Hall, 34389661
Ball Turret Sgt Arthur Jingozian, 31036871
Tail Gunner /
Photo T/Sgt
Peter S. Owens, 12023894
Crashed September
15, 1943
MACR 648
Aircraft History
Built by Boeing Seattle, it was delivered to the USAAF on August
4, 1942. In November 1942 it had arrived in Australia and was assigned
to the 65th BS. This bomber flew missions (possibly its first mission)
on November 22, 1942. This aircraft has the sad distinction of being
the last B-17 lost in combat in the Pacific War.
Mission History
Took off from Port Moresby between 8:00 - 9:00am as part of
a mission to bomb the Chinatown area of Lae,
around 10:20 - 10:41am on September 15, 1943. They experienced anti-aircraft
fire over the target. Obscured by cloud, three bombers in the formation
did not drop their bombs, due to the presence of friendly Australian forces
aproaching Lae. The remaining bombers dropped their 1,000 lbs bombs on
the target scoring direct hits. On the return flight to Port
Moresby the plane was seen peeling off in the face of a thunderstorm
over the Wau area,
and disappeared into a cloud.
Wreckage
Crashed in the 'Black Cat Gap' area, north-east
of Wau on a mountainside at 8,300'.
Recovery of Remains
US Army CILHI investigated
the crash site from August - September 1993 and recovered the remains.
They were identified and buried in the United States in 1998.
References
Pride of Seattle page 14, 18
Fortress
Against the Sky
Tribute
to a World War II Tail Gunner by Peter Owen.
"Listen Here Tojo" by Brice Hoy Australian Military
History, Number 1, April-May 1994
B-17
MIA
Peter S.
Owens
