Crew History
Arthur G. Kelly was a member of the 89th Bombardment Squadron. After his death on this mission, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross [read citation]. He was married to Virginia Clair Kelly. They had one son Michael G. Kelly.

Aircraft History
Built by North American in Ingelwood, California. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 3rd Bombardment Group, 90th Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On the morning of May 25, 1942 , this B-25 took off from Cooktown Airfield on a flight to 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Took off again as one of eight B-25s on a bombing mission against Lae Airfield. Over the target, attacked by approximately 15 Tainan Kōkūtai A6M2 Zeros in vicinity of the airfield for twenty minutes.

This bomber was damaged and force landed south of Salamaua on the sea. The bombardier, Sgt. Kelly was apparently killed during the attack or bomb run. The other five crew members reached land and made contact with members of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR) at Mubo and were safely flown out of Wau Airfield during June.

Relatives
Michael Kelly (son of Arthur G. Kelly)

References
Thanks to Edward Rogers and Michael Kelly for additional information

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Last Updated
March 5, 2013