USAAF
5th AF
90th BG
400th BS
Pilot 1st Lt Donald O. Almond, O-433338
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt John J Cahill, O-728338
Crew 2nd Lt Robert L McClure, O-726920
Crew 2nd Lt Kenneth A Olson, O-727254
Crew T/Sgt Forrest D Wright, 36317419
Crew T/Sgt Ivan O. Sand, 37161484
Crew S/Sgt Marvin C. Parsons, 33156629
Crew S/Sgt Oliver R Neese, 35351932
Crew S/Sgt Maurice Derfler, 33157713
Crew Cpl Joseph L Wagner, 18058200
MIA May 19, 1943
Mission History
Took off from Port Moresby on a daylight reconnaisance mission along the eastern coast of New Guinea. No position report was given, but the time element places the aircraft in the Madang area, one hour and thirty five minutes after take off.
Ramming by Japanese Fighter
A radio message was received stating it was under attack by 5 enemy fighters. Five Ki-43 Oscars of the 24th Sentai attacked the bomber. One Japanese fighter rammed the B-24, killing the Oscar pilot, Sgt. Hikoto Sato, who became the first casualty of the 24th Sentai. Five to ten minutes later the last message sent stated the aircraft was going down. It is believed the aircraft went down in the vicinity of Karkar Island. No trace of the crew was ever found.
References
Thanks to Aerothentic.com historical details.
"A Brief History of Wewak, Part II" by Richard Dunn
B-24
MIA
