USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
500th BS
Pilot 1st Lt. Harlan H. Peterson (KIA)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Lloyd S. Durmeyer (KIA)
Radio T/Sgt William J. Schneider (KIA)
Engineer S/Sgt William F. Free (KIA)
Gunner S/Sgt Micahel R. Korczynski (KIA)
Photographer S/Sgt Fred W. Behling (KIA)
Crashed October 18, 1943
Aircraft History
Assigned to the 345th BG in March 1943 and piloted by Dougherty with crew chief Jones. This model D-5 was converted to D-1 strafer at Townsville.
Mission History
flying an unescorted bomber strike mission against Rabaul on October 18, 1943. They attacked a 6,000 ton ship off Vunapope along with B-25D "Tondelayo" 41-30669 and B-25D "SNAFU" 41-30054. Reportly, the turret gunner Korczynski shot down two attacking fighters before their bomber's left engine was hit and they dropped out of formation. After sucessfully ditching in St. Georges Channel, the bomber was strafed by 7-8 enemy fighters. The entire crew was KIA. The 500th BS received a distinguished unit citation for this mission.
References
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 49, 68-69, 194, 366, 391
B-25
