USAAF
5th AF
380th BG
529th BS
1943 |
Pilot Harold H. Van Wormer, O-736424 (POW survived)
Co-Pilot John M. Peurifoy, Jr (POW survived) GA
Nose Turret S/Sgt John H. Mohr, 16099581 (POW)
Bombardier 1st Lt. Herman J. Dias, O-729959 (MIA / KIA) SF, CA
Navigator Lt Charles H. Shaver, O-797085 (POW, survived) Lee, MA
Engineer S/Sgt Charles B. Schofield, 18120807 (POW survived) NM
Top Turret S/Sgt Stewart A. Anderson, 31145258 (POW survived) CT
Radio S/Sgt Walter K. Gomer, 11047714 (POW survived) MA
Tunnel Gunner S/Sgt Thomas J. O'Donnell, Jr., 12155037 (MIA / KIA) NY
Waist Gunner Louis J. Aiani, 16145097 (MIA / KIA) IL
Tail Gunner SSgt William F. Barbee, 18010876 (MIA / KIA) TX
Crashed January 19, 1944
MACR 2598
Crew History
Previously, crew members Herman Dias and Charles Shaver were assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group, 64th Bombardment Squadron. Both had survived the ditching of B-17F "Black Jack" 41-24521 on July 11, 1943. Transferred to the 380th Bombardment Group, 529th Bombardment Squadron, they were assigned to Lt. Harold Van Wormer’s crew.
Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego between September 10-21, 1943. Constructors Number 2757. Accepted by the USAAF on September 23, and to Tucson, AZ modification center on September 26. Next, flown to Florence, SC on October 4. Then, to Fairfield, CA on October 17 before being ferried overseas to Garbutt Airfield arriving on October 22.
Assigned to the 380th Bombardment Group, 529th Bombardment Squadron based at Long Strip.
First combat mission was a reconnaissance mission over against Manokwari and Noemfoor piloted by Stevens on January 17, 1944 .
Mission History
Its second mission was a bombing mission against Ambon. Over the target, this B-24 was shot down by Japanese fighters, 30 miles south of Ambon and "exploded upon contact with the ocean" and, according to Glenn and Gary Horton's book. Also lost was B-24J "Doodlebug" 42-73117.
Fates of the Crew
Four were killed in the crash / missing in action and were declared dead the day of the mission: Dias, Aiani, O'Donnell and Barbee. Each is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
Seven were captured by the Japanese: Van Wormer, Peurifoy, Mohr, Shaver, Schofield, Anderson and Gomer.
Charles Shaver was taken prisoner by the Japanese and transported to Japan where he was interned at Tokyo POW Camp Branch #2 (Kawasaki) at Tokyo Bay.
Steve Birdsall adds:
"The 380th Bomb Group website is an excellent source, but they had Shaver listed as "Shayer" until I worked out who it had to be, and Dias' serial number didn't quite match the one given in 43rd Group records."
References
Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information
King of the Heavies - 380th Bomb Group, 1942-1945 by Horton & Horton
380th BG Association / B-24 Paper Doll Data Sheet
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Last Updated
March 18, 2010
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B-24
MIA / POW
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