Pilot  2nd Lt. Hugh L. Johnson, Jr., O-828444 (Montgomery, AL)
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt. Byron L. Stenen, O-776106 (Northridge, CA)
Navigator    2nd Lt. John F. Green, O-20544568 Watertown, NY)
Bombardier  2nd Lt. John M. Meisner, O-777903 Pembroke, MA)
Engineer  Cpl. Michael J. Pushkar, 3387420 (Mahanoy City, PA)
Gunner  S/Sgt Walter Knudsen, 17029283 (Sioux City, IA)
Asst Radio  Cpl. John A. DeCarlo, 12206062 (Newark, NJ)
Radio Cpl. Robert E. Raney, 35147448 (Monon, IN)
Gunner  Cpl William G. Mohr, 33874202 (Mt. Wolf, PA)
MIA  October 9, 1944
MACR  10020

Aircraft History
This aircraft was built by Consolidated San Diego between March 2 - 13, 1943. Test flown on the 16th, and received modifications at Tucson on the 21st. Then , to Topeka on April 16th. Ferried overseas beginning May 1, 1943 from Hamilton Field to Amberley.

Assigned to the 380th BG, 531st BS at Manbulloo. Nicknamed "Mr. Five By Five" with nose art of two dice and a figure in a suit. This bomber flew 26 combat missions in New Guinea theater until December 11, 1943, when it was transferred to the 90th BG.

At Townsville, a nose turret was installed. Later it was transferred to the 43rd BG, and finally the 360th Service Squadron (CRTC School), to train replacement air crews, based at Nadzab.

Mission History
Took off from Nadzab Strip #1 at 6:46am for a local training flight bound for Port Moresby. The weather was overcast at 10,000 feet and low scattered clouds at 2,500 feet. They ran into a thunderstorm and went missing in the Nadzab area. At the time of its loss it had engines: R-1830-43 s/ns 42-59440, 42-38736, 42-62072, 42-38816

Discovery & Recovery of Remains
The crash site was located 11 miles south-west of Lae at 7,500' near Buang area and Bugiau village. It was excavated in 2003 by US Army CILHI lead by Captain Tipton. Assigned site numbers PP01-003 and PP-00254, the remains of nine crew members were recovered.

Captain Paul Madrid, US Army (Repatriation & Family Affairs) adds:
"Between 11 December 2005 to 25 March 2006, representatives from Army Casualty traveled to the homes of representatives of the nine families to present the final identification report. Once each of the families accepted the report - coordination for the interment were made which took place yesterday." [June 27, 2006].

Relatives
Terri Knudsen
(Kundson's niece)

References
Thanks to Gerald Johnson
(son in law of Lindenberger, crew member in 380th BG)

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