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| USAAF 5th AF 90th BG 321st BS  
90th BG c1944      Justin Taylan 2003 |
Pilot 1st Lt.
Bryant E. Poulsen, O-743204 (MIA / KIA / BR) Fairview, UT Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Herbert V. Young, Jr., O-737927 (MIA / KIA, BR) Clarkdale, AZ Navigator 1st Lt. Donald P. Greenman, O-671425 (MIA / POW executed April 17 1944, BR) RI Bombardier 1st Lt. William D. Bernier, O-670067 (MIA / KIA / BR) Augusta, MT Engineer TSgt Hugh F. Moore, 3324872 (MIA / KIA, BR) MD Radio TSgt Charles L. Johnston Jr., 13156292 (MIA / KIA, BR) Pittsburgh, PA Gunner SSgt John Earl Copeland, 37230355 (MIA / KIA, BR) KS Gunner SSgt Donald C. Crotteau, 36292455 (MIA / POW executed April 24, 1944, BNR) WI Gunner SSgt Charles J. Jones, 14066262 (MIA / KIA, BR) GA Gunner SSgt William T. Hyler, 12150690 (MIA / POW, executed April 24, 1944, BR) New York, NY Passenger William M. Handleman, 12033724 (MIA / POW executed April 18, 1944, BR) New York, NY Passenger Sgt Charles A. Gardner, 39844574 (MIA / KIA, BR) CA Crashed April 10, 1944 MACR 4505 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-145-CO Liberator serial number 42-41188. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG), 321st Bombardment Squadron (321st BS). Nicknamed "Hot Garters" in block letters on the right side of the nose. Mission History On April 10, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Bryant E. Poulsen on a bombing mission against Hansa Bay. Over the target, hit by anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and disintegrated in the air before crashing into the ground roughly five miles west of Nubia. Other B-24s observed what they thought were five of the crew parachuting out and landing within a radius of 300 yards from where the bomber crashed. When this B-24 failed to return, the entire crew was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew After the Australian Army occupied the Hansa Bay area in the middle of June 1944, a captured Japanese document revealed the fate of four crew members that bailed out: Greenman, Crotteau, Hyler and Handleman. All four were captured by the Japanese Army and became Prisoners Of War (POW) and died in captivity or were executed. Greenman was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol from the Nkahara unit led by Sgt Sekine with four men that was sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down near Sebent [sic Sepen]. The patrol captured an "American pilot" (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. Crotteau, Hyler, Handleman were possibly injured but managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944 while attempting to flee from Seben [Sepen] to Birattu when they were captured by Japanese Army Cpl. Acabe and walked or transported to Hansa Bay. On April 16, 1944 the four POWs were transfered to Leading Private Oshina of the Hansa M. P. unit branch and transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners Greenman and Handleman "died on route". Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were executed or died. When Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he was escorting only two prisoners Crotteau and Hyle. Handleman was executed or died on April 18, 1944. Hyler was executed or died on April 24, 1944. Wreckage This B-24 broke up before crashing into rolling hills and bamboo forest near Sepen Number 2 (pronounced 'Seven') inland from Nubia near Hansa Bay. According to a Japanese document later captured by the Australian Army, the Japanese began investigating the crashed aircraft the day it was shot down. On April 14, 1944 a Japanese Army Sgt Ichiki located the B-24 crash site and presumably investigated the site. During November 2002, US Army CILHI representative Brian Bennett visited the crash site. During his visit, he located the tail section and reported the site as a potential Missing In Action (MIA) site for further investigation. During September 2003, Justin Taylan and John Douglas visited the crash site and located the cockpit area and reported it to US Army CILHI. They also interviewed eyewitness from Sepen village who remembered the fate of the crew. John Douglas adds: "There is a kiap (patrol officer) report dated September 1944 that mentioned four survivors. The Japanese killed one, who was buried at Akokom." Justin Taylan reports: "According the locals, the survivors and the pilot were seriously wounded. The villagers offered to hide them from the Japanese, but the crew wanted to surrender due to their wounds. Instead the crew declined their help and began walking away, then were never seen again." Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of Handleman, Hyler and Greenman were located and recovered. Their remains were transported to the Philippines and United States for permanent burial. During 2012, the crash site was first investigated by JPAC and recovered remains. Afterwards, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the identification of seven crew members between July 16, 2014 to February 23, 2015. Poulsen was officially identified using circumstantial evidence that placed them on the aircraft and accounted for as them as part of the group on July 16, 2014. Bernier was officially identified using circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including, mitochondrial DNA, which matched Bernier’s cousins on July 18, 2014. Young was officially identified using circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including, mitochondrial DNA, which matched Young’s sister on August 19, 2014. Gardner was officially identified using circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including, mitochondrial DNA, which matched Gardner’s maternal niece and nephew on July 31, 2014. Copeland was officially identified using circumstantial evidence that placed them on the aircraft and accounted for as them as part of the group on August 2, 2014. Johnston was officially identified using circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including, mitochondrial DNA, which matched Johnston’s maternal cousins on August 21, 2014. Moore was officially identified using circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including, mitochondrial DNA, which matched Moore’s niece and grand-niece on September 5, 2014. Jones was officially identified using circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including, mitochondrial DNA, which matched Jones’ maternal niece on February 23, 2015. Crotteau remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Seven of the crew: Poulsen, Young, Moore, Johnston, Copeland, Jones and Gardner were officially dead the day of the mission April 10, 1944. Greenman was officially declared dead April 17, 1944. Handleman was officially declared dead April 18, 1944. Crotteau and Hyler were officially declared dead April 24, 1944. Bernier was officially declared dead October 10, 1944. Poulsen, Young, Bernier, Moore, Johnston, Copeland, Crotteau, Jones and Gardner are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Poulsen earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Memory Grove Memorial in Salt Lake City, UT. Young earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Prescott National Cemetery at section 7, row d, site 19. Greenman earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. He was buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot C row 11 grave 70. He also has a memorial marker at Riverside Cemetery in South Kingstown, RI at plot J-2. , Bernier earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. He was individually identified and buried in September 2014 at Augusta Cemetery in Augusta, MT. Moore earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker a Cherry Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cherry Hill, MD. Johnston earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Copeland earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart, posthumously. Crotteau earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Jones earned the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Hyler earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He is buried at Long Island National Cemetery plot N, grave 28758. Handleman earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He is buried in a private cemetery, details unknown, likely in New York. Gardner earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He was individually identified and buried on December 4, 2014 at Arlington National Cemetery at section 60 site 10808. Additional remains of Bernier, Johnston, Copeland, Gardner, Jones and Moore were buried on March 18, 2015 a group burial at Arlington National Cemetery at section 60, site 10925. Relatives Ken Young (nephew of Herbert V. Young) "My uncle, 1st Lt. Herbert V. Young, Jr. was the co-pilot of the plane. I never knew that any wreckage of the plane had been found until I came across Pacific Wreck. In my uncle's last letter, he said that "He only needed 30 more flight hours before rotating back to Frisco." He was trained in fighters and then put into bombers because of a shortage of bomber pilots. He said the B-24 was like flying a boxcar. He flew an A20 on a ferry flight and really liked it. In his last letter he said his plane had one bad engine (didn't pass magneto checks) and he didn't like the idea of taking off with a full bomb load (he had friends who had died in accidents from engine problems). This led to him flying as co-pilot with the other crew, even though he had much more experience than the newer pilot he flew with. I think at the time of the crash he had completed his remaining 30 hours, but his duty was extended. I still have a copy of the telegram that my grandfather sent to my Dad informing him that Uncle Bud was missing in action. My Dad, Herbert's brother, died in 2003 at the age of 91. Herbert's sister, Geraldine, is still living in Cottonwood, Arizona. She is 93." Cousette Copeland (John Earl Copeland) "My relation is John Earl Copeland, who was shot down on April 10, 1944. He was listed as MIA and presumed dead." Jim Byrkit adds: "Lt. Herbert V. Young. He was born in Jerome and raised in nearby Clarkdale, in central Arizona. Herb Young, Jr., was known here as "Buddy" Young. He graduated from high school in 1937. Buddy's older sister, Geraldine ("Gerry") (Young) Duval, is now about 90 years old and lives in a retirement center here. She doesn't have any clear and detailed knowledge about her brother's death. Shortly before leaving for duty overseas, Buddy married a local woman, her name was Zoeleen McLain. She was very tall and striking in her appearance. She married again and died about three years ago. The Youngs never did learn about the specifics of Buddy's death." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-145-CO Liberator 42-41188 "41188 (90th BG) lost Apr 10, 1944, Hansa Bay, New Guinea. MACR 4505." Missing Air Crew Report 4505 (MACR 4505) created April 11, 1944 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Status Card "Liberator, B24D 42-41188" National Archives Australia (NAA) Missing Liberator "A Report by Squadron Leader K. M. Rundle on Missing American Aircraft B25D 42-41188" [sic, B-24D 42-41188] "2. Information received from captured enemy documents reveals that on the 10th April 1944 at 0630 hours, Sergeant Sekine, presumably a Japanese [Army], and four men departed to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft (Allied) being shot down near Sebent. On that same date, the 10th April 1944, an American pilot was captured and on the following day was taken to Diri. On the 12th April, 1944, the Japanese received information that three American fliers of the crashed aircraft were fleeing in the Seben-Birattu direction and again these three men were captured by a Japanese by the name of Corporal Acabe. These members (Japanese) were apparently of the Nkahara unit. A Japanese, Sergeant Ichiki, on the 14th April 1944 visited the scene of the crash. It is known that on the 16th April, 1944, Leading Private Oshina arrived from the Hansa M. P. Unit Branch and departed on the 17th April, 1944, to evacuate the four American prisoners to Bogia but only returned with two of the prisoners, stating that the two had died on route. The enemy document further goes to state that the two men who died were First Lieutenant Daniel Greenman and Corporal William N. Handoruman. These two members beyond doubt refer to First Donald P. Greenman and Staff Sergeant William N. Handleman. The two survivors according to the Japanese were Donald C. Kurado and Corporal William G. Hairaru. Undoubtedly these two members refer to Staff Sergeant Donald C. Crotteau and Staff Sergeant William T. Hyler." PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 42-41188 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Bryant E. Poulsen "1LT Poulsen's remains have been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery. His name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial" FindAGrave - 1LT Bryant Edmond Poulsen (photos, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1LT Bryant Edmond Poulsen (memorial marker) FindAGrave - Bryant Edmond Poulsen (Arlington group burial) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Herbert V. Young Jr. "1LT Young's name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. His remains have been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery" FindAGrave - 1Lt Herbert Vernon Young, Jr (photos, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Herbert Vernon Young, Jr (Arlington group burial) FindAGrave - Herbert Vernon "Buddy" Young, Jr (photos, memorial marker photo) NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File does not list Donald P. Greenman American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Donald P. Greenman FindAGrave - 1Lt Donald P Greenman (photos, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Donald P. Greenman (memorial marker photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William D. Bernier "1LT Bernier's remains have been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery. His name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial" FindAGrave - William Daniel "Laddie" Bernier (memorial marker, burial September 2014) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Hugh F. Moore "TSGT Moore's name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. His remains have been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery" FindAGrave - TSgt Hugh Francis Moore (photos, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Hugh F. Moore (photo, memorial marker photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles L. Johnston Jr. "TSGT Johnston's name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. His remains have been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery" FindAGrave - TSgt Charles L Johnston, Jr (photos, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John E. Copeland SSGT Copeland's name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, The Philippines. His remains have been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery" FindAGrave - SSgt John Earl Copeland (photos, tablets of the missing) NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Donald C. Crotteau American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Donald C. Crotteau "Status Missing In Action" FindAGrave - SSgt Donald C Crotteau (photos, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles J. Jones "SSGT Jones' name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. His remains have been recovered and identified." FindAGrave - SSgt Charles J Jones (photos, tablets of the missing) NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - William T. Hyler FindAGrave - William T Hyler (grave photo) NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - William M. Handleman FindAGrave - Sgt William M Handleman (photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles A. Gardner "SGT Gardner's name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. His remains have been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery" FindAGrave - Sgt Charles A Gardner (photo, tablets of the missing) CNN "U.S troops killed in action have a last ally" January 26, 2012 / Photo 1 of 13 depicts the tail of this B-24 DPAA - Recently Accounted For 2014 [July-September 2014] "1st Lts. William D. Bernier, Bryant E. Poulsen, Herbert V. Young Jr., Sgt. Charles A. Gardner, Staff Sgt. John E. Copeland, and Tech. Sgts. Charles L. Johnston and Hugh F. Moore, U.S. Army Air Forces, 321st Bombardment Squadron, 90th Bombardment Group, 5th Army Air Forces, were lost April 10, 1944, in Papua New Guinea. They were accounted for July 18, July 16, Aug. 19, July 31, Aug. 2, Aug. 21, and Sept. 5, 2014, respectively. They will be buried with full military honors." DPAA Airmen Missing From WWII Accounted For (Bernier, Poulsen, Young, Johnston, Moore, Copeland, Jones, Gardner) DoD New Release 15-053 | February 23, 2015 NBC Montana "Remains of WWII airman returned to Montana" September 18, 2014 USA Today "Pacific jungle yields WWII airman's remains" October 17, 2014 DPAA "Airmen Missing From WWII Accounted For (Johnston)" February 23, 2015 Pittsburgh Post Gazette "Lost WWII airman from Pittsburgh to be buried at Arlington" by Torsten Ove Feb 23, 2015 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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