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| USAAF 5th AF 417th BG 672nd BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Raymond H. Brock, O-805389 (MIA / KIA) OH Passenger 2nd Lt. Duane G. Hamilton, O-803193 (WIA, survived) Passenger Cpl Ralph E. Greene, 13143159 (WIA, survived) DC Crashed March 20, 1944 at 4:30pm MACR 14086 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-15-DO Havoc serial number 42-54157. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 417th Bombardment Group (417th BG) "Sky Lancers", 672nd Bombardment Squadron (672nd BS) "Tomahawks". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On March 20, 1944 took off from Gusap Airfield on an administrative flight bound for Dobodura. Another pilot observed this A-20 under control and crash landed at 4:30pm into a sago swamp roughly two miles inland from Cape Ward Hunt between the Mambare River and Gira River at approximately Lat 8.46 Long 148.22. Fates of the Crew During the crash, the cockpit and nose section broke off and pilot Brock was never seen again. Both passengers, Hamilton and Greene were injured in the crash and unsuccessfully searched for Brock. Rescue A rescue party was sent to the crash site that reached the nearest village and walked 14 hours over six miles to reach the site with thirty natives cutting the jungle for them. At first, even the native people refused to walk to this area because it was so remote and fearing evil spirits. Meanwhile, two paratroopers were landed on the coast roughly 100 yards from the crash site and began cutting paths to the site which took four to seven hours to complete. At the crash site, they located the two survivors and searched the site unsuccessfully for any sign of Brock. A muddy hole was probed to a depth of 12', but no trace of his body was found. It was believed Brock was still inside the cockpit and buried in the mud and swamp. Afterwards, Hamilton returned to the United States for combat fatigue and Greene was discharged due to his injuries. Memorials Brock was officially declared dead on July, 20, 1944. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Dayton Memorial Park in section 14, Dayton, OH. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ralph E. Greene USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G-15-DO Havoc 42-54157 "54157 (672nd BG) lost Mar 20, 1945, New Guinea." Missing Air Crew Report 14086 (MACR 14086) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Raymond H. Brock FindAGrave - 2Lt Raymond Henry Brock (tablet of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Raymond H. Brock (memorial photo) Thanks to Brian Bennett 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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 A-20  MIA 1 Missing |
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