Pacific Wrecks - B-24D-115-CO Liberator Serial Number 42-40934

Your donation today supports the next 15 years

Main Menu

Forum

Reviews

People

MIAs

Help

B-24D-115-CO Liberator Serial Number 42-40934

USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
403 BS

1943

October 11, 1943

Pilot Capt Hughie R. "Slim" Bonner, O-789366 (MIA/KIA) Coffeeville, MS
Crew 2/Lt Royal R. Baumgartner, O-532939 (MIA/KIA) Philidelphia, PA
Crew 2/Lt Angelo J. Lavalle, O-669332 (MIA/KIA) Jamestown, NY
Crew SSgt Ross D. Burd, 17038346 (MIA/KIA) Elk Horn, IA
Crew SSgt Coleman P. Bulter, Jr., 17020670 (MIA/KIA) Kansas City, KS
Crew TSgt Michael P. Elphingstone, 18064900 (MIA/KIA) Dallas, TX
Crew SSgt Elbert L. Hutto, 18061874 (MIA/KIA) Goose Creek, TX
Crew SSgt Robert P. Moeller, 17038163 (MIA/KIA) Walthill, NE
Crew SSgt Lloyd R. Tamblingson, 36276498 (MIA/KIA) Milwakee, WI
Crew 2/Lt Edward B. Tucker, O-804901 (MIA/KIA) College Park, GA
Crashed October 13, 1943
MACR 1808

Mission History
Took off for a strike on Rabaul This aircraft was last seen entering a weather front 40 miles off Kiriwina. It crashed on reef in the Amphlett Island Group, all were killed in the crash.

Wreckage
Rod Pearce adds:
"The wreckage of this B-24 is still there today."

Memorials
The entire crew was declared dead the day of the crash. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Relatives
Barb Maslonka (niece of Robert Moeller)

Yseldah Applegate (niece Hughie Bonner):
"It is feared they collided with a P-38 in the soup weather."

References
Thanks to Herb Christianson for additional information

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 1, 2009

B-24

MIA

Pacific Wrecks Incorporated is a non-profit charity 501(c)(3) Donate Now