|  |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 312th BG 389th BS Former Assignments 417th BG |
Pilot 1st Lt. Cyril J. Karsnia, O-662943 (MIA / KIA, BR) Otter Tail County, MN Gunner Cpl James B. Caldwell, 36559515 (MIA / KIA, BR) Crashed March 22, 1944 MACR 15665 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G. Shipped oversea to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 417th Bombardment Group (417th BG). On March 20, 1944 assigned to the 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG), 389th Bombardment Squadron (389th BS). No known nose art or nickname. Tail letter K. Assigned to pilot Koch. When lost, engine and weapon serial numbers were not listed in Missing Air Crew Report (MACR). Mission History On March 22, 1944 took off from Gusap Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Cyril J. Karsnia on a bombing and strafing mission over Valif Island (Wallis Island) to the west of Wewak. This A-20 was flying the left wing for Col. Strauss. The weather was reported as good. Over the target, this A-20 became uncontrollable due to prop wash, struck trees and flipped upside down and crashed on Valif Island (Wallis Island). Other pilots in the formation thought Karsnia might have misjudged his approach and did not pull up in time or lost control temporarily. When this aircraft failed to return the crew were listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage This A-20 crashed on Valif Island (Wallis Island). On April 20, 1946 a RAAF Searcher Team led by S/L Keith M. Rundle with S/Sgt A.F. Bellamy and Sgt L. H. Catran, from 29 Australian War Graves Unit (29 WGU) traveled to Valif Island (Wallis) to investigate a report of a crashed Allied plane that was reported and to recovered two sets of remains. They deterimed the wreckage was a Boston [A-20] with serial number "39113" on the tail and the ace of spades on the rear fusealge. Searching the wreckage, two identity discs (dog tags) were found for Cyril J. Karsnia. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the crash site was located and the remains of the crew were recovered. Memorials Both crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, both crew were buried on December 15, 1949 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in group burial at block C-4 grave 7955. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Cyril J. Karsnia Missing Air Crew Report 15665 (MACR 15665) created retroactively on October 30, 1946 incorrectly lists this aircraft as serial number “42-9133” [sic 43-9133] and notes "story of loss in AAF 201's on 2 crew members" NAA Research for Missing Personnel SWPA - Information relating to US aircraft and crews. (NAA: A703, 614/1/25 PART 2) (PDF page 186) Report by Squadron Leader K.M. Rundle on crashed United States Boston 39133 [sic 43-9133] "3. After viewing the wreckage it was ascertained that the crashed aircraft was a United States Boston aircraft, and was identified as being Serial Number 39133, which number was visible on the tail fin." Rampage of the Roarin' 20's (2009) pages 79, 347, 364 FindAGrave - Cyril J Karsnia (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - James B Caldwell (news, group burial photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 19, 2025
|
 A-20  MIA 2 Missing Resolved |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
