Pilot
2nd Lt. Lloyd B. Bardwell, Jr., O-761500 (MIA/KIA)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Millard W. Israel (MIA/KIA)
Navigator 2nd Lt. Robert C. Feuerstein (MIA/KIA)
Engineer Cpl Wyman D. LaRose (MIA/KIA)
Radio PFC Calvin D. Simansky (MIA/KIA)
Gunner S/Sgt Lacy B. Hall, Jr. (MIA/KIA)
Ditched September
2, 1944
MACR 8636
Aircraft History
This aircraft likely served with the 3rd BG previously. Assigned to the 345th BG, 500th BS on November 26, 1943. Regular pilots included Bruce and Landon. Crew chiefs H. D. Smith and Pratt. It flew the mission t Kavieng on February 15, 1944 piloted by 1st Lt. Francis P. Doman. Next, it was assigned to the 498th BS on April 8, 1944, but trasnfered back to the 500th BS a few days later, where it served until its loss.
Mission History
Took off from Biak to attack Langoan Airstrip, but diverted
to strafe troops along Lahben Straights Celebes.
Hit by anti-aircraft fire, it ditched 7 miles from north-east in the Lahbeh
Straights off Lambeh
Island, its nose submerging, and tail and right
wing breaking off in the crash. A Japanese Zero strafed the crew as they were
escaping, but was driven away by other B-25s from the squadron circling to
protect them. All five crew were observed in the water, their plane sank five
minutes later, but their raft seemed damaged and only partially inflated. Short
on fuel the other B-25s departed, no trace of the crew were never seen again.
Pilot Bardwell ditched, and all the men got out, but were being strafed by
enemy planes. None were seen again.
References
Warpath Across The Pacific
page 123, 184 (photo), 371, 382, 392
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