|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN FAW-1 VB-140  USN October 1943 |
Pilot Lt. Marion D. Trewhitt (rescued) Berkely, CA Co-Pilot Ensign Edward A. Conlon (rescued) Miami, FL Radio ARM3c Troy P. Wilson, 6166924 USNR (MIA / KIA) Winters, TX Crew Chief/Tail AMM2C Carl D. Saunders (rescued) Logansport, IN Ordinance/Top Turret AOM3C Carl Schaffer (rescued) Portland, OR Ditched September 16, 1943 at 3:15am Aircraft History Built by Lockheed in Burbank. Model 237-27-01. Constructors Number 237-5223. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as PV-1 Ventura Bureau Number 33214. Ferried overseas across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC) arriving on Espiritu Santo in early September 1943. Wartime History Assigned to Fleet Air Wing 1 (FAW-1), Bombing Squadron 140 (VB-140). Tail Number 15. No known nickname or nose art. On September 13, 1943 took off from Espiritu Santo on a flight northward to Renard Field (South Field) on Banika Island in the Russell Islands. Mission History On September 15, 1943 at 10:05pm took off from Renard Field (South Field) piloted by Lt. Marion D. Trewhitt armed with six 500 pound bombs as one of five PV-1 Venturas on a night low altitude bombing mission against Ballale Airfield on Ballale Island. Leaving the target area, this PV-1 became separated from the rest of the formation and proceeded back to base alone. Returning, this bomber spotted some reefs and the Cactus radio beam was located but none of their radio calls were acknowledged, possibly due to a bad transmitter. On September 16, 1943 at 3:15am low on fuel, the crew prepared to ditch into the sea. On impact, the bottom of the aircraft tore away. During the landing, Wilson was seated on the deck near the navigator's table and was never seen after the ditching and was presumed to have been killed instantly. He remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA) to this day. After the landing, the nose sank first and the tail went vertical as the bomber quickly sank underwater. Fate of the Crew The rest of the crew all sustained minor injuries in the ditching but were able to access the Ventura's door raft with a jungle survival kit and were able to deploy the life raft. The survivors drifted at sea in the life raft for 16 days, surviving on water and milk tablets and a fish they managed to catch. They endured storms, were trailed by sharks, and ate coconuts found floating on the surface. Although the raft came within sight of several islands, strong currents prevented them from reaching them. On October 2, 1943 they spotted a PB4Y-1 Liberator but it failed to spot their raft. Also, two Zeros were observed but they also failed to spot their life raft. On October 3, 1943 their seventeenth day at sea, the life raft reached Choiseul Island and the survivors found themselves near Kagatarava village with a Catholic mission and spent the night in the abandoned village and saw a Japanese landing barge nearby, and saw Japanese troops from a distance and fled. The next day they met a native, who agreed to take them to his chief "Levi" and the crew departing on October 5, 1943 and were taken to Allied Coastwatcher "Nick" on October 9, 1943 and remained with him, departing on October 12, 1943 to trek back to the coast to be rescued by a flying boat. On October 17, 1943 the crew were transported aboard a canoe to Nanano Island off Choiseul Island where they were rescued by a PBY Catalina piloted by Lt. Thomas H. Benton from VP-23 that landed at 3:00pm and were flown back to Halavo Seaplane Base (Halavo Bay) "D Base" landing at 5:05pm. The next day, the crew was debriefed and give a week of rest and recuperation (R&R) in New Zealand then returned to duty with the squadron. Memorials Wilson was officially declared dead on September 16, 1943. According to the surviving crew, he died died September 16, 1943 during the ditching. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Wilson is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Trewhitt was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LtCdr) and earned the Air Medal. He passed away on November 21, 1957 at age 42. Trewhitt is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section R, site 631. Conlon was discharged on February 24, 1946 then reenlisted on June 8, 1952 during the Korean War and left the service again October 22, 1954 retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LtCdr). In 1958 he was hired as a pilot for National Airlines and retired in 1981 as a Captain. Afterwards, owned and operated Eddie's Lunch (Cozy Corner) in Miami Springs, FL and was a member of the city council. He passed away on March 28, 2000 at age 77. His burial or memorial marker is unknown. Saunders passed away November 20, 2017 at age 92. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Logansport, IN. Schaffer passed away August 31, 2018 at age 95. His burial or memorial marker is unknown. Relatives Scott Goings (son-in-law of Saunders) References Navy Serial Number Search Results - PV-1 Ventura 33214 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1943 9/15/43 [sic 9/16/43] PV-1 / 33414 [sic 33214] VB-140 / Russells / Ballale / SOPAC / Lt. Trewhitt / S NARA Bombing Squadron 140 War Diary September 1943 pages 4-5 (Page 4) "15 September 1943. Night Low Altitude Bombing Strike Ballale PPCs: Lt. Cdr. Houston, Lt. Trewhitt, Lt(jg) Brenner, Lt(jg) Bacheier, Lt(jg) Miller (Page 5) "15 September 1943 (con't) Ballale Strike (con't). Five Venturas of VB-140 departed Renard Field, Russel Islands, at 2205 on a low altitude night bombing mission against the Airfield on Ballale Island. Each plane loaded with 6-500 lb. 8-II second delay bombs. The planes proceeded up the slot and approached target from the southwest, keeping altitude of 300 feet from point opposite Vella Lavella. Bombing runs made in Vee formation, covering the area on both sides of runway and to the southwest. The bombs were released from the altitude of from 300 to 500 feet. Twelve hits were observed in the target area, with five bombs falling into water. Bombs failed to release from two two planes. The flares which were dropped did not ignite unit they struck the terrain. No fires were observed, althoug[h] one explosion was followed by 'a large red flash'. Seed of bombing run 230 knots. Retired low over water, after turning to starboard." Kodochosho, 251 Kōkūtai, September 15-16, 1943 Diary of Ensign E. A. Conlon pages 1-11 (September 16, 1943–October 18, 1943) "Saved by the Savages" by Marion D. Trewhitt United Press (UP) "Japs 'Feed' Lost Airmen" December 4, 1943 The Call Bulletin "Adrift 16 Days: 4 U.S. Fliers Escape Jap Trap, Reach S. F." April 18, 1944 (surviving crew photo) The San Francisco Examiner "Fliers Adrift For 16 Days" April 19, 1944 page 15 "Machinists Mate Here Knows Real Facts About Life Rafts" 1945 Logansport Pharos-Tribune "Lost At Sea - The War Remembered" by Kristi Osenbaugh December 7, 1998 pages 1-2 interview with Carl Saunders American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Troy Paul Wilson date of death September 16, 1943 [sic] FindAGrave - ARM3 Troy Paul Wilson (photos) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File - Edward Conlon Miami Harold "Obituary of Edward A. Conlon" March 29, 2000 FindAGrave - Carl D. Saunders (grave photo) Evergreen Memorial Gardens - Obituary Carl Schaffer May 29, 1923–August 31, 2018 Vega Ventura (2000) page 49 Telephone Interview with Carl D. Saunders by Justin Taylan February 4, 2009 Telephone Interview with Carl Schaffer by Justin Taylan November 20, 2009 Thanks to Carl D. Saunders, Carl Schaffer and Scott Goings and Jim Sawruk 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 October 12, 2022 |
 PV-1 Photo Archive  MIA1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
