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| USAAF 13th AF 11th BG 42nd BS |
Pilot Captain Harold P. Hensley, O-413623 (MIA / KIA) CA Co-pilot 1st Lt Charles D. Bingham, O-429251 (MIA / KIA) NY Bombardier SSgt Oreste George Natiello, 7024944 (MIA / KIA) Louisville, KY Navigator 2nd Lt John H. Jackson, O-791595 (MIA / KIA) MS Engineer T/Sgt Lester L. Gudenschwager, 6291432 (MIA / KIA) WI Asst Engineer SSgt William J. Tomko, 13010674 (MIA / KIA) PA Asst Radio Sgt Peter R. Fabiano, 16003241 (MIA / KIA) IL Radio SSgt John N. Powers, 7026758 (MIA / KIA) PA Gunner SSgt Willett T. Allen, 6668695 (MIA / KIA) KY MIA February 1, 1943 MACR 16269 Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2253. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2442. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG), 42nd Bombardment Squadron (42nd BS). Nicknamed "Yokohama Express". Mission History On February 1, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by Captain Harold P. Hensley as one of nine B-17s on a mission to bomb Japanese shipping in the Shortland area. This bomber was part of a four plane second element with three B-17s from the 42nd BG (this aircraft), B-17E 41-9151, B-17E "Eager Beavers" 41-9122 and B-17 piloted by Captain Thomas from the 5th BG, 72nd BS. The second element was commanded by Captain Hall (C. O. of the 42nd Bombardment Squadron). After bombing Japanese ships and claiming hits on their target, the formation turned right (eastward) toward Choiseul Bay, and were intercepted by 15-25 Zeros. This B-17 was shot down by Zeros over Bougainville and reportedly crashed into Shortland Harbor area. When this B-17 failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). The sole surviving fourth plane, piloted by a Captain Thomas was also badly damaged but managed to crash land on Guadalcanal. Two crew members (radio and bombardier) were wounded. Michael Paulson adds: "MACR 16269 was not particularly helpful. It was prepared post-war, and noted that 'Flight records and individual flight forms on officers and enlisted men had been lost or destroyed in the movement' " Memorials Hensley was officially declared dead on January 11, 1946 and was promoted to Major. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). The rest of the crew was declared dead on January 11, 1946 and are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. The entire crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Gudenschwager also has a memorial marker at Sandusky Village Cemetery in Sandusky, WI. Relatives Nick Barkas (nephew of Oreste George Natiello) "My uncle was on B-17E "Yokohama Express" 41-2442 George Natiello. He had made 54 flights and was the only son of my grandfather. My mother was his sister. He was greatly mourned by the family as many were." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - 41-2442 Missing Air Crew Report 16269 (MACR 16269) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Harold P. Hensley American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles D. Bingham American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Oreste G. Natiello American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John H. Jackson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lester L. Gudenschwager American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William J. Tomko American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Peter R. Fabiano American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John N. Powers American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Willett T. Allen FindAGrave - Maj Harold P Hensley (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Charles D Bingham (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Oreste George "George" Natiello, Jr (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt John H. Jackson (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Lester L Gudenschwager (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Lester L Gudenschwager (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - SSgt William J Tomko (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Sgt Peter R Fabiano (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt John N Powers (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Willett T Allen (tablets of the missing 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
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