USAAF
5th AF
38th BG
71st BS
Pilot 1st Lt Elmer P Brinkman O-660626
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt William S Goodchil O-72801
Navigator 2nd Lt Thomas M Logsdon O-726003
Bombardier T/Sgt Henry C Bogart
Engineer Sgt James W Connor
Radio S/Sgt Louis E Reabold 14070241
Gunner S/Sgt James F Flannagan Jr.
Ditched January 7, 1943 at approximately 0815
Aircraft History
This aircraft was part of a formation of six from the 71st Bomb Squadron, and six frcm the 405th Bomb Squadron attacking a Japanese resupply convoy consisting of eight vessels, including four destroyers bound for Buna.
Aircraft apparently received anti-aircraft fire and was hit in its right engine which caught fire but as the plane neared the water, the pilot managed to extinguish the fire in the engine. It is believed that Lt Brinkman gained control of the aircraft and made a perfect water landing, but the bomber broke in two in the region of the bomb bay and sank immediately. It was thought that three of the crew managed to bail out of the aircraft.
B-25
MIA
6.40
147.55
