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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 7th AF 41st BG 820th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Gerard J. Galvin, O-794392 (MIA / KIA) MA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. John T. Moyer, O-742199 (MIA / KIA) CA Navigator 1st Lt. Charles F. Jennings, O-789776 (MIA / KIA) MA Radio T/Sgt Steve J. Miko, 20522617 (MIA / KIA) Cleveland, OH Gunner S/Sgt John W. Major, 11044267(MIA / KIA) RI Gunner Cpl Samuel A. Bush, 14134088 (MIA / KIA) TN MIA January 2, 1944 MACR 1586 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24G-5 Mitchell serial number 42-64893. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field to the Central Pacific. Wartime History Assigned to the 7th Air Force (7th AF), 41st Bombardment Group (41st BG), 820th Bombardment Squadron (820th BS). No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On January 2, 1944 took off from Tarawa Airfield (Hawkins Field) piloted by 1st Lt. Gerard J. Galvin as one of nine B-25s on a low altitude strike against Emiej Island (Imeji) in Jaluit Atoll. Hit by anti-aircraft fire, and damaged. Reportedly losing part of its right wing which struck the tail and cause the plane to invert, then crashed into the lagoon off Imroij. After the war, the Japanese reported all died in the crash. Wreckage In 1998, the debris field of this aircraft was first discovered by Matt Holly. Interviews with locals by Matt Holly reveals that the bodies were originally brought onto the beach, and personal effects removed, then dumped on the far side of the reef, near the crash site by the locals under orders from the Japanese. Memorials The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). on the tablets of the missing, court 7 Relatives Steven Miko (son of Steve J. Miko) "Miko enlisted February 2, 1940 and was assigned to anti-submarine surveillance on the East Coast off of the Carolinas. He awarded the Air Medal. His flight records show that he died on his 20th combat mission in the Pacific Region. All except one on a B-24, were flown on B-25's. Many were with the same pilot, Galvin. The flight he died was the first from APO 240; the mission was listed as C-SS." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25G-5 Mitchell 42-64893 "64893 (41st BG, 820th BS) tail shot off by AAA at Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Jan 2, 1944. MACR 1586. 6 KIA." Missing Air Crew Report 1586 (MACR 1586) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles F. Jennings American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John T. Moyer American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles F. Jennings American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Steve J. Miko American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John W. Major American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Samuel A. Bush Thanks to Matt Holly for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 B-25  90-100'  MIA 6 Missing |
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