Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated. Constructors Number 749.

Mission History
Six B-24s took off from Henderson Field as the second wave of a bombing mission against shipping in theShortland-Buin area. Escorted by 4 P-38s and 7 P-40s (2 P-38s and 3 P-40s abort due to engine trouble). The bombers attacked from 14,000' dropping 36 x 1,000 lbs bombs. Only a single hit was scored on a transport, and 8 Zeros were claimed. They reported being attacked by 30 Mitsubishi Zeros and 15 Japanese float-equipped fighters, with support from heavy flak fired by naval vessels below. This B-24 was hit after reaching the target and fell behind and soon afterwards crashed flaming into the sea.

Justin Taylan adds:
"I researched this mission at the Tokyo Defense archives. The following Japanese aircraft attacked: 11 Rufes (one aborted) of 802nd Kokutai, 20 Zeros of the 252nd Kokutai and 9 Zeros of the 204th Kokutai. A total of 39 Japanese aircraft."

Memorials
All crew members are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
Guadalcanal and the Origins of the 13th Air Force, page 180-181
Vampire Squadron, page 25-26
Kodochosho, 802nd Kokutai, February 13, 1943
Kodochosho, 204th Kokutai, February 13, 1943
Kodochosho, 252nd Kokutai, February 13, 1943
ABMC lists the date of death of Beaupre as April 13, 1943 [sic]
Stimadorakis is listed as 'Stimadorkis' in some references

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

B-24

MIA