USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
498th BS
Pilot Lt. Col. Clinton U. True (WIA)
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Cicero J. Ellen (WIA)
Navigator Captain Joseph P. Mooney (WIA)
Engineer S/Sgt Harry E. Snyder (WIA)
Radio T/Sgt Stewart O. Stevens
Crashed December 26, 1943 at 1442 hours
MACR 1847
Aircraft
History
This model D-10 was modified to a D-1 strafer at Townsville. Assigned to the 345th BG, 498th BS August 10, 1943. Piloted by Crabb and True with crew chief Russell
Mission History
During a low level attack on Cape Gloucester, this bomber was part of the second flight, fired on by US Navy anti-aircraft gunners as it over flew the landing craft. The bomber was mistaken for an enemy plane, as Japanese aircraft were attacking the area. Hit in the right engine and bomb bay and caught on fire, and flew away from the formation to circle and ditch in Borgen Bay after feathering the right engine. Loosing altitude, it ditched six miles from Silimati Point.
All the crew suffered wounds in the crash, but made it into the life raft and paddled to keep from being swept out to sea. They were not seen by the Navy invasion force that withdrew at night, despite firing several flares. Alone in the dark, the crew opted to risk going ashore at night to try to link up with the Marines, as several of the crew needed immediate medical help and met sentries around 2am and got some help. The next morning, they were evacuated by LST and landed back at Buna five days later.
References
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 51, 105-106, 214, 382
Tuluvu's Air War Chapter IX by Richard Dunn
B-25
