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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS  Fitzpatrick 1942 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Frederick W. Schierloh, Jr. (KIA, BR) Bergen County, NJ Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Wilbur B. Ridout (KIA, BR) Iowa Falls, IA Radio Cpl Leo J. McMahon (KIA, BR) Windham County, CT Crashed February 5, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5137. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12502. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving on April 23, 1942. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On February 5, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Frederick W. Schierloh, Jr. on a practice bombing mission against the shipwreck of SS Pruth (Moresby Wreck). Over the target, this B-25's tail collided with the mast of the wreck, and tore off the entire tail, causing the bomber to immediately crash into the sea with no survivors. Memorials All three were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Schierloh is buried in Union Cemetery, Ramsey, NJ. VFW Post 682 of Ramsey NJ was named in his honor. Ridout is buried at Jackson Township Cemetery in Owasa, IA. McMahon is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section F grave 803. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Frederick W. Schierloh, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wilbur B. Ridout NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Leo J. Mc Mahon surname spelled "Mc Mahon" USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C 41-12502 "12502 (MSN 82-5137) to Netherlands East Indies AF as N5-162 Feb 26, 1942 but ferried to Australia and retained by USAAF. In accident Feb 9, 1943" Mason City Globe-Gazette "Reburial Rites For War Victim Mason City, IA, March 2, 1948, p, 6, Col. 6-7 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-12502 FindAGrave - Frederick W Schierloh, Jr. (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Wilbur B. Ridout (grave photo) FindAGrave - Corp Leo J McMahon (grave photo) 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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