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Pilot 2nd Lt. Ivan F. Brooks (rescued) CA Gunner Cpl Thomas R. Fehily (MIA / KIA) MA Engineer-Gunner Cpl Cono B. Cardiello, 12165845 (MIA / KIA) NJ Ditched April 27, 1945 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 21037. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-40-DO Havoc serial number 43-21390. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Service Group (8 SvG), 7th Airdrome Squadron (7th ADS) part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF) Combat Replacement and Training Center (CRTC). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On April 27, 1945 took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 1 piloted by 2nd Lt. Ivan F. Brooks on a mission against Cape Moem near Wewak. After releasing their bombs, this A-20 experienced an explosion and ditched into Nightingale Bay. When landing, the aircraft impacted tail first and spun around 180°, knocking everyone aboard unconscious. Pilot Brooks awoke as sea water filled the cockpit and attempted to assist his crew but found them both unconscious in the rear of the plane. Unable to free them, Brooks swamp ashore. Fehily and Cardiello likely drowned. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Rescue Brooks reached the beach and was rescued that same day by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) PBY Catalina A24-104 that took off from Madang Seaplane Base piloted by F/Lt. Cuthbertson (C. O. 111 ASR - No. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight) with Flying Officer John Heness and flown back to Madang Harbor. Memorials The two crew killed in the crash were officially declared dead the day of the mission and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Fehily also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at memorial section G. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ivan F. Brooks NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Cono B. Cardiello American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas R. Fehily American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Cono B. Cardiello FindAGrave - Corp Thomas R Fehily (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Corp Thomas Robert Fehily (photo, memorial marker) FindAGrave - Corp Cono B Cardiello (tablets of the missing photo) NAA Number 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight - April 27, 1945 "Aircraft A24-104 (F/Lt. Cuthbertson) proceeded on Air Sea Rescue search to Nightengale Bay to endeavor to locate crew of U.S. Air Force Boston. Mission was successful and one survivor was rescued." WW2 Nominal Roll - Allan Darling Cuthbertson WW2 Nominal Roll - John Bernard Heness Flying Officer John Heness Logbook - April 27, 1945 "rescued 1st Lt Brooks from a beach near where he ditched a Boston in Nightingale Bay, near Wewak. The rest of the crew drowned / located on beach near Sumup – taken off in dingy" USAAF Overseas Accident Reports - April 1945 A-20G 43-21390 AirForceHistoryIndex - IRISNUM: 00040785 - 7th Airdrome Squadron April 1-30, 1945 Thanks to Edward Rogers and Chris Goddard 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 2 Missing |
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