USMC
VMB-413
Circa 1944
May 5, 1944
Justin Taylan 2000 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Glenn Willard
Smith, O-21855 (MIA / KIA) Inglewood, CA
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Ralph M.
Jones Jr., O-25395 (MIA / KIA) Griffin, GA
Navigator Sgt. John Slingluff Little, 452483 (MIA / KIA) Norristown, PA
Radio Sgt. George Dewey
Herbst, Jr., 489222 (MIA / KIA) Pottstown, PA
Gunner Cpl. Michael F.
Mazepa, 425132 (MIA / KIA) New York, NY
Gunner Cpl. Ferris Robert
Gillen, 421734 (MIA / KIA) Muncie, IL
Passenger Cpl. Robert S.
Bleir (MIA / KIA)
Shot
Down May 5, 1944
Aircraft History
This aircraft was a B-25D Mitchell,
USAAF Serial Number 42-33291. It was assigned to the USMC, with the Bureau
Number of 35143.
Mission History
Took off from Green
Island (Nissan) on a bombing mission against Tobera Airfield. That day, a passenger was aboard: a photographer and unit
historian from the 2nd Amphibious Corps. Over the airfield, it was hit by anti-aircraft
fire in the port engine, during a medium altitude bombing run on Tobera's
supply area. This hit partially dislodged the engine from its mount,
and caused it to immediately crash three miles west of the runway. All
the crew were killed in the crash, and the plane impacted at high speed
in a Japanese encampment area.
Wreckage
The wreck and remains of the crew were discovered by Tobera
plantation owner, Rick
Ray. The site was reported, and investigated as an MIA site
by US Army CILHI in the late 1999 and 2000 and the remains of the crew were recovered. In March 2001 portions of the wreckage were reportedly scrapped
by a local.
Relatives
Gleen Golay (newphew of Smith)
References
"The
Ghosts in the Forest: Discovery of a USMC PBJ-1D" Ghost Wings
Magazine, Issue #6 by Justin Taylan
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Last Updated
October 22, 2009
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