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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 2nd AF 303rd BG 360th BS Former Assignments 38th RS 11th BG 431st BS |
Pilot 1st William S. Raper, O-421658 (survived) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Edwin L. Sterling, O-436019 (survived) Navigator 2nd Lt. Frank E. Ross, Jr., O-724072 (survived) Bombardier 2nd Lt. Foster G. Daniels, O-724143 (survived) Engineer Sgt Alva E. Dye, 33087947 (survived) Radio Sgt Walter Dombrowski, 11021002 (MIA / KIA) MA Gunner Pvt Walter J. Dutkiewicz, 12049789 (MIA / KIA) NJ Assistant Engineer Cpl Jessie R. Downard, 17015695 (survived) Assistant Radio Pvt Robert J. McKeage, 13045970 (survived) Ditched June 15, 1942 at 9:00pm MACR 16123 Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle as a model 299H. Constructors Number 2055. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as B-17C Flying Fortress serial number 40-2054. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). By late November 1941, assigned to the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (38th RS) at Albuquerque Field, New Mexico. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On December 6, 1941 took off from Hamilton Field piloted by 1st Lt Earl J. Cooper on a ferry flight bound for Hickam Field on Oahu. The bomber had .50 caliber machine guns installed but no ammunition. Aboard was "Crew No. 5" including co-pilot 2nd Lt Richard J. Eberenz, 2nd Lt John A. Crockett, Aviation Cadet Jim R. Buchanan, TSgt Jesse R. Broyles, Sgt Joseph J. Bruce, Sgt Lee W. Best, Cpl Elmer G. Lippold, and Pvt Don C. McCord, Jr. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 in the morning incoming Japanese aircraft detected on radar were dismissed as the expected flight of B-17s and arrived during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. This B-17 flew through friendly anti-aircraft fire and A6M2 Zeros before successfully landing at Hickam Field without mishap. Later, assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG), 431st Bombardment Squadron (431st BS). Afterwards, assigned to the 2nd Air Force (2nd AF), 303rd Bombardment Group (303rd BG), 360th Bombardment Squadron (360th BS). Mission History On June 15, 1942 took off from Hickam Field on a patrol and search mission. Returning, pilot Raper reported that he was low on fuel and did not know their position with a 300' ceiling. Out of fuel, ditched at a bearing of 262°, roughly 145 miles away (other sources say a bearing of 270° and 130 miles away) off Oahu. After ditching, one life raft was released and the top escape hatch failed to open. Two of the crew were not seen again and reported as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew The other seven crew were unhurt and successfully deployed the bomber's life raft. Search After the reported ditching, the U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft searched for this bomber and the crew. After sighting a life raft the seven crew were successfully rescued. Memorials The two missing crew members: Dombrowski and Dutkiewicz were officially declared dead the day of the mission and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Both are memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 7. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17C Flying Fortress 40-2054 "2054 (38 RS, 11 BG) was one of the planes that arrived over Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941. Crashed 130 mi off Oahu, Hawaii Jun 15, 1942. MACR 16123. 7 survived, two killed." 7 December 1941 - The Air Force Story - Appendix D - B-17s Arriving During the Attack pages 158-159 "Status as of 1845, 8 Dec 1941: B-17C 40-2054, 1st Lt Earl J. Cooper, Hickam Field, In Commission "Crew No. 5: 1st Lt Earl J. Cooper, 2d Lt Richard J. Eberenz, 2d Lt John A. Crockett, Avn Cdt Jim R. Buchanan, TSgt Jesse R. Broyles, Sgt Joseph J. Bruce, Sgt Lee W. Best, Cpl Elmer G. Lippold, and Pvt Don C. McCord, Jr." Missing Air Crew Report 16123 (MACR 16123) created retroactively during 1945 or 1946. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter Dombrowski American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter J. Dutkiewicz FindAGrave - Sgt Walter J Dombrowski (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Pvt Walter J Dutkiewicz (courts of the missing photo) Fortress Against The Sun (2001) pages 16, 382 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 19, 2021
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