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  B-25D-15 Mitchell Serial Number 41-30434  
USAAF
5th AF
3rd BG
8th BS

Pilot  1st Lt. Miles L. Green, O-730901 (MIA / KIA) WY
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt. Wayne M. Berta, O-667918 (MIA / KIA) IL
Crew  SSgt Clifford R. Hall, 15054322 (MIA / KIA) WV
Crew  SSgt Lloyd G. Popwell, 34267229 (MIA /KIA) GA
MIA  September 27, 1943 at 10:55am
MACR  731

Aircraft History
Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8599. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-15 Mitchell serial number 41-30434. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 8th Bombardment Squadron (8th BS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-29580 and 41-29585.

Mission History
On September 27, 1943 took off from Dobodura Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Miles L. Green on a shipping strike over the Kairiru Strait between Kairiru Island and Muschu Island north of Wewak. After leaving the target area, this B-25 attempted to rejoin the formation, but appeared to be out of control and shortly afterwards, crashed into the sea, leaving no trace of any survivors or wreckage. When this B-25 failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was B-25D 41-30636 (MIA).

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Green also has a memorial marker at Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne, WY.
Popwell also has a memorial marker in Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, GA.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-15 Mitchell 41-30434

"30434 (3rd BG, 8th BS) lost Sep 27, 1943, New Guinea. MACR 731"
Missing Air Crew Report 731 (MACR 731)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30434
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Miles L. Green
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wayne M. Berta
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clifford R. Hall
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lloyd G. Popwell
FindAGrave - Lieut Miles L. "Tim" Green (memorial marker)
FindAGrave - 1Lt Miles L Green (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 2Lt Wayne M Berta (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - SSgt Clifford R Hall (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - SSgt Lloyd G Popwell (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - Lloyd G. Popwell (memorial marker photo)

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Last Updated
September 27, 2022

 

Tech Information
B-25

MIA
MIA
4 Missing
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