USAAF
5th AF
6th PRG
8th PRS
1943 Via Bob Rocker
December 26, 1943
John Loughman 1969
Pilot Colonel David W Hutchison
Crew 1st Lt William H Fairbank Jr., O-453251 (survived)
Crew T/Sgt Nicholas C Laboda, 12033182
Crew Cpl Philip J. Lynch, 16013446 (KIA) Bay City, MI
Crew T/Sgt George E Manley, 31048318
Crew Pfc Robert C McGee, 34141064 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Thomas A Lane, 39381881
Crew Pvt Ernest E Young Jr., 14053129
Crew Cpl Hector E Rodgers, 19070579
Crew Pvt Alex Black, 33115534
Cameramen Captain Carter
Cameramen S/Sgt Harbuan
Correspondents Raynor Morrison
Correspondents Lennard
Correspondents Taves
Crashed December 26, 1943
Aircraft History
Previously used for long-range photo missions and also as
the squadron supply and general transport aircraft in both the 19th and 43rd BGs.
Mission History
Took off at 5:50am from Schwimmer
Drome (14 Mile) in intense fog and zero ceiling, loaded with personel bound for Australia for R&R. The bomber crashed just
off the northwest end of the runway
near the Laloki River, outside Port Moresby.
Wreckage
This bomber's wreckage and intact tail section remained through the
1960s. Today, it has been scrapped, but local people still
recall the crash and bomber that used to be there.
In 2005, Thomas Rei discovered the dogtag of Philip Lynch at 14 Mile Drome in a dump area. This dogtag is displayed at his Schwimner War Museum.
References
Thanks to Aerothentic
for historical information.
Phil Fazzini for Philip Lynch details
B-17
