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| USAAF 5th AF 90th BG 320th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Warren H. Smeltzer, O-380234 Co-Pilot 2nd It Russell A. McKinni, O-74244 Navigator 1st Lt Charles M. Hynes, O-734566 Bombardier 2nd Lt Lawrence J. Baldwin, O-738606 Engineer T/Sgt Roudolph Vetter, 39381460 Assist. Engineer S/Sgt George H. Hermerding Jr., 35456332 Radio T/Sgt Steve Velicoff, 33265647 Assist. Radio S/Sgt Richard J. Leyer, 32143175 Gunner S/Sgt Carl L. Nelson, 36032395 Gunner S/Sgt Jack G. Wu, 39168830 Crashed October 18, 1943 MACR 1015 Aircraft History Aircraft History Mission History The mission cost five Liberators, including this bomber, B-24D 42-40670, B-24D 42-40885, B-24D 41-41088 and B-24D "Mission Belle" 42-40389 Assisted by friendly natives who fed and housed the crew. They were next taken to the Catholic Mission at Kerau and cared for by an American Missionary and nuns. They used their parachutes to draw the 90th BG insignia (Skull and cross bombs) logo at the mission. Spotted by friendly planes, supplies were dropped to them, and communication was made by signals with American planes. The crew asked for coffee and cigarettes. The rescue efforts were directed by Captain Phillip W. Casper of the 90th BG. Afterwards, they walked two days to an emergency strip and on November 11, 1942 were flown out aboard Australian Tiger Moth. Next they flew via C-47 back to Port Moresby. References Contribute
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