Pacific Wrecks

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

B-17F-5-BO Flying Fortress Serial Number 41-24427

USAAF
5th AF
19th BG
30th BS

Pilot Captain Robert L. Williams, O-023070 (MIA / KIA) SC
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Robert R. Wilson O-430646 (MIA / KIA) NJ
Navigator 2nd Lt William A. Dietch, O-433137 (MIA / KIA) IL
Bombardier 1st Lt Marion L. Wheeler, O-412742 (MIA / KIA) IA
Radio Sgt William D. Lewis, 6914241 (MIA / KIA) IL
Engineer S/Sgt Marion C. Taylor , 19054589 (MIA / KIA) MT
Gunner Sgt Thomas L. Cotner, 6274735 (MIA / KIA) WY
Gunner Sgt Glenn C. Keclik, 6932077 (MIA / KIA) KS
Gunner Sgt Ernest L. Pugh, 6947173 (MIA / KIA) VA
MIA September 15, 1942
MACR none

Aircraft History
Built by Boeing at Seattle. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Ferried oversea via Hawaii to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 19th Bombardment Group, 30th Bombardment Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On September 15, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby at 5:30pm for a night bombing mission against Rabaul. After take off, no further contact was made with this bomber. On September 16, 1942 at 1:30am, when this B-17 failed to return from the mission, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Dietch has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at section MJ site 84.
Wheeler has a memorial marker at Sorden Cemetery in Webster, IA.
Keclik has a memorial marker at Fort Scott National Cemetery at Fort Scott, KS at section Ma site 36

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018

B-17

MIA / KIA
9 Missing

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