USAAF
5th AF
90th BG
320th BS

Pilot  1st It Joseph D. Mettes, O-378469
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Merlynn A. Zuehlsdorff, O-737929
Navigator  2nd Lt Eugene M. Keen O-690444
Bombardier  2nd Lt Roger E. Dounce O-688940
Engineer  T/Sgt Benjamin Klayman 35424132
Radio  T/Sgt John E. Burns 12185460
Gunner  S/Sgt Robert L. Wort 36068556
Gunner  S/Sgt Arthur F. Miller 35436013
Gunner  S/Sgt Felix R. Bonavita 12040940
Gunner  S/Sgt Henry A. Granacki, 35363704
Crashed  June 14, 1944
MACR 5807

Aircraft History
Constuctors number: 2735/2784 Engines R-1830-43, CP-306849, CP-300583, CP-306941, 42-40291. Weapon serial numbers: 932267, 932457, 931790, 749603, 931770, 932666, 332065.

Mission History
Took off from Nadzab and staged through Momote on a long range mission to Yap. The last known radio fix coordinates were 4° 28' South, 144° 15' East (Sepik River area). It appears that they had overshot Holandia.

It is my personnal opinion that because they had been experiencing severe weather to and from their mission target, and when this fix was initiated they had reported that they were extremely low on fuel. They decided rather than to turn back to Hollandia, they were about midway back to Nadzab at this point, they took the chance and continued on, I'm sure they were hoping that their fuel would get them either back or at least close enough to be away from Japanese held areas. This is my opinion.

Records
The MACR states that a search was conducted, but if you take the time in flight into account they could not have been searching in the area of the last radio fix. Nor according to this report did they search this particular area. It is Ironic that it states that the Sqdn. didn't know where they were when they went down. It says either returning or on the way to target. Even though the Sqdn made radio contact and gave them this fix. I would appreciate any help or comments that might help me to find this plane and all souls on board.

Contribute Information

B-24

MIA

S 4° 28'
E 144° 15'