B-25D-20 "Mexican Spitfire" Serial Number 41-30592

USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
500th BS

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1944

Former Unit Assignments
3rd BG

345th BG
498th BS

 

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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B-25

MIA
MIA

 

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