|  |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 13th AF 5th BG 72nd BS |
Pilot Major James Edmundson, C. O. 431st BS (survived) Hollywood, CA Co-Pilot Captain Jack Thornhill (survived) Ditched January 7, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2207. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-2396. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG), 72nd Bombardment Squadron (72nd BS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On January 7, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by Major James Edmundson with co-pilot Captain Jack Thornhill on a flight bound for Espiritu Santo for repairs. During the flight, this B-17 was flying on three engines when two more failed, forcing it to ditch off San Cristobal Island (Makira). Officially, this B-17 was condemned on July 15, 1944. Wreckage This B-17 remains on a coral reef offshore San Cristobal Island (Makira). At least one of the propellers and engines remains in shallow water. Memorials Edmundson passed away on June 19, 2001 at age 85. He has an unknown burial in the United States. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2396 "2396 (5th BG, 72nd BS) ditched off San Cristobal due to engine failure Jan 7, 1943. Condemned Jul 15, 1944" U.S. Air Force Biographies - Lieutenant General James V. Edmundson (photo) FindAGrave - LTG James Valentine Edmundson Fortress Against The Sun (2001) pages 273, 332, 383 Archaehistoria - Solomon Islands November 2014 Expedition (report, photo) 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
|
 B-17 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
