Pilot  Commander William Bowen Ault (MIA/KIA)
Gunner  ARM 1/C William Thomas Butler, 2232491 (MIA/KIA)
MIA  May 8, 1942

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas at El Segundo. The personal aircraft of Commander Ault, this SBD had the designation "CLAG" painted on its fuselage, for 'Commander Lexington Air Group'.

Mission History
He reported via radio that both he and his radioman/gunner were seriously wounded and that he had but twenty minutes fuel left. In his last transmission he reported: "OK. So long people. We put a 1,000 pound bomb on the flatop." There were no witnesses to his final minutes in the air. No remains or wreckage was ever located.

Declared missing in action following the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was presumed to have been shot down or ditched in the ocean following the strike on the Japanese carriers Shoho and Zuikaku.

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