USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
500th BS

Pilot  2nd Lt. Donald Stookey (POW/KIA)
Co-Pilot  Lt. Herschel D. Evans (POW/KIA)
Engineer  S/Sgt Ernest S Roberts, 18069713 (POW/KIA)
Radio  S/Sgt Max Gerstein, 35355778 (POW/KIA)
Gunner  S/Sgt Thomas H Laird, 34444568 (POW/KIA)
Ditched  October 16, 1943
MACR  935

Aircraft History
This aircraft was a D-20 model, modified to a strafer version D-1 at Townsville.

Mission History
HIt by anti-aircraft fire over Wewak in the right engine and ditched 3 miles north-east off Cape Moem, remaining afloat for 90 seconds and allowing the crew to escape. Five crew were last seen in life rafts by circling B-25s and P-38s that dropped them rafts.

POW Fates
Captured by the Japanese, the enlisted men died or were executed by the Japanese, possibly on Kairiru Island where they were bayoneted and beheaded at the Catholic Mission. The officers were both taken to Rabaul where they were executed, possibly in Tailil Bay Massacre in March 1944 or otherwise died or killed.

References
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 61-62, 64, 91, 366, 392, 416

Contribute Information

B-25

MIA / POW