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  A-20G-40-DO Havoc Serial Number 43-21430 Tail V
USAAF
5th AF
312th BG

389th BS

Pilot  1st Lt. Walter H. Van, O-665250 (MIA / KIA) IL
Gunner  Sgt Gilbert V. Cooper, 15336632 (MIA / KIA) OH
Crashed  July 9, 1944
MACR  none

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-40-DO Havoc serial number 43-21430. Shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
During June 1944, assigned to the 5th Air Force, 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG), 389th Bombardment Squadron. Assigned to pilot Van. No known nose art or nickname. Tail letter V.

Mission History
On July 9, 1944 one of twenty-four A-20s from the 388th Bombardment Squadron and 389th Bombardment Squadron led by Col. Strauss that took off from Hollandia Airfield on a low level mission against Babo Airfield.

Flying at low level over the Kasira River, the 388th BS attacked first flying six planes abreast, followed by the 389th BS followed. On the ground, Japanese anti-aircraft gunners had adjusted their fire. Over the target, this A-20 was hit by gunfire and crashed into one of the taxiways and exploded on impact, killing both of the crew. When this aircraft failed to return, it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was A-20G 43-9499 and A-20G 42-86720.

Memorials
Both crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

References
Rampage of the Roarin' 20's (2009) pages 143-146, 349, 366

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Last Updated
December 29, 2021

 

Tech Info
A-20

MIA
MIA
2 Missing
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