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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 89th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Bernard L. Crawford, O-761566 V Bomber Command, HQ (MIA / KIA, BR) Jackson County, MO Gunner MSgt James R. Daly, 06902139 310th Bomb Wing, HQ (MIA / KIA, BR) Doniphan, Missouri Passenger 1st Lt. Walter A. Nicholson, O-412634 310th Bomb Wing, HQ (MIA / KIA, BRN) Williamsport, PA Crashed February 11, 1945 MACR 13316 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 20964. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-40-DO Havoc serial number 43-21327. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 89th Bombardment Squadron (89th BS). No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines R-2600-23 serial numbers unknown (manufacture number 58459) and 43-105379. Armed with eight .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On February 11, 1945 at 11:07am took off from San Jose Airfield on Mindoro on a courier mission bound for Manila. The weather was reported as good when the plane departed. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA) to unknown circumstances. In fact, this A-20 crashed near the rifle range at Fort William McKinley in Taguig to the southeast of Manila. According to Filipino civilians living in the area, this plane was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. Wreckage Ater the Taguig area was liberated by the U.S. Army, Filipino civilians reported the plane crash to the Americans. Recovery of Remains On March 27, 1945 the crash site was investigated by U.S. Army Military Police (MP) Sgt Donald Butler who found the remains of the "pilot" and "radio operator". On March 29, 1945 personel from U.S. Army Graves Registration arrived at the crash site and recovered the bodies of two of the crew. At the crash site, they were not able to identify the plane type but found a carburetor serial number 60099 and engine manufacture number 58459. The remains of the "pilot" and "radio operator" were recovered by Captain S. W. Able. Daly were identified from papers in his wallet. The pilot was later identified as Crawford. Both were identified by March 28, 1945 or earlier. After their remains were recovered, they were initially buried at USAF Cemetery Manila No. 1. Crawford at grave 86. Daly at grave 87. No trace of Nicholsen was found and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials The crew and passenger were officially declared dead the day of the mission. All three earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Crawford is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot N row 14 grave 204. Daly is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot N row 15 grave 204. Nicholson is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James R. Daly USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G-40-DO Havoc 43-21317 "21317 (3rd BG lost Feb 11, 1945, SW Pacific." Missing Air Crew Report 13316 (MACR 13316) created September 1945 Williamsport Sun-Gazette "Walter Nicholson reported missing in Pacific action War Department reveals local officer lost since Feb 11" March 1, 1945 page 1 Star Tribune "M/Sgt James R. Daley ]obituary] April 22, 1945 page 21 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Bernard L. Crawford American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James R. Daly American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter A. Nicholson Jr. FindAGrave - 2LT Bernard L Crawford (grave photo) FindAGrave - MSGT James R Daly (grave photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Walter Alexander Nicholson Jr. (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers 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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