USAAF
5th AF
90th BG
321st BS
Kell Nielsen, 1970 |
Pilot 1st Lt James J. Crawford, O-433354 (KIA)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt James D. Murlless, O-662590 (KIA)
Crew 2nd It Howard P. Schertzer, O-790997 (KIA)
Crew T/Sgt Francis J. Donovan, 17040576 (KIA)
Crew T/Sgt Eugene T. McDonald, 17032868 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Yerger A. Smith, 34196864 (KIA)
Crew Sgt George E. Duigan, 11033290 (KIA)
Crew Cpl Jesse J. Haynie, 13023373 (KIA)
Crew Pfc Steve F. Konik, 35301047 (KIA)
Crew Pvt James W. Cooley, 10100052 (KIA)
Passenger Lt. Col William A. Turner, VX168189 (KIA) Aust Army Intel
Crashed February 7, 1943 at 0538 hours
MACR 16406
Mission History
This aircraft departed from Wards Drome near Port Moresby on an armed reconnaissance of the north coast of New Guinea, New Britain and the Admiralty Islands. Crashed soon afterwards from an unknown cause, killing all on board. The crash was reportedly one mile west of Gerehu.
Recovery of Remains
Remains
were recovered from the crash site and buried as a "Group Burial #4" at Ipswich, Australia, and recorded as the following: X-12, Crawford, James J. O-433354 - 1st Lt. A narrative was found reading: (with each remains, only one was legible). "'This body is one of eight unidentified recovered from plane wreckage on February 13, 1943, found seven (7) miles N. W. of Port Moresby; two (2) miles inland; (Grid location 838472, Port Moresby Special Map)'."
Wreckage
Wreckage remained until the 1970s.
Kell Nielsen visited in 1970:
"I think it was behind the high school."
References
Although the daily status records do not indicate the serial number of the aircraft, it is highly likely that this is the aircraft involved.
References
Legacy of the 90th Bombardment Group page 40
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October 1, 2009
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