|
 |
|
|
| 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 43rd BG 63rd BS  Ernie Vandal c1942  via McLawhorn c1942     Brian Bennett 2004 |
Pilot 1st Lt Lewis A. Anderson, O-416252 (MIA / KIA, BR) Kansas City, MO Co-Pilot 2nd Lt William K. Fox, O-660475 (MIA / KIA, BR) Hugo, OK Crew 2nd Lt Robert W. Schleh, O-735205 (MIA / KIA, BR) Omaha, NE Crew Sgt Joseph J. Conde, 15016544 (MIA / KIA, BR) Youngstown, OH Crew SSgt Archibald B. Hodge, 7006759 (MIA / KIA, BR) Nashville, TN Crew SSgt Vernon R. "Bud" Kaylor, 14053672 (MIA / KIA, BR) Hickory, NC Crew Sgt Richard M. Keeley, 35258646 (MIA / KIA, BR) Louisville, KY Crew M/Sgt Milton Kelkey, 6995318 (MIA / KIA, BR) Philadelphia, PA Crew T/Sgt Albert C. Nies, 6943388 (MIA / KIA, BR) Johnstown, PA Crashed December 4, 1942 at 12:42am MACR 15685 Aircraft History Built by Boeing. Constructors Number 3112. On June 29, 1942 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17F-5-BO Flying Fortress Serial Number 41-24429. This B-17 was ferried by Captain Jamese O. Ellis via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) "Ken's Men", 63rd Bombardment Squadron (63rd BS). The left side of the nose included the Walt Disney cartoon character "Dumbo" painted by Sgt Ernie Vandal. No nickname was written on the bomber, but it was known as "Dumbo" by the squadron. This B-17 operated from Mareeba Airfield and later 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby, flying bombing missions in New Guinea. When lost, engine R-1820 cyclone serial numbers unknown. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On December 3, 1942 at roughly 11:25pm took off from 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt Lewis A. Anderson as one of eight B-17s on a night mission to locate and bomb a Japanese cruiser reportedly off Buna. On December 4, 1942 at 12:25am over the target area, the cruiser was not found despite good weather conditions. After leaving the Buna area, this B-17 was never seen or heard on the radio. Afterwards, the formation proceeded to Lae, but the secondary target was clouded in, with a low ceiling, poor visibility and thunderstorms. While trying to skirt a severe storm five miles off Finschafen a light, possibly from this B-17 was seen to signal "S.O..." and about 30 seconds later, directly ahead, a reddish yellow explosion was observed. When this B-17 failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage In fact, this B-17 crashed at 12:42am in the Mongi Valley east of the Mongi River at an elevation of approximately 1,000', roughly eight miles southwest of Finschhafen. On August 1, 1946, a RAAF Searcher Team that included F/O Lloyd Cogswell located the wreckage of this bomber at roughly Lat 6.40S Long 147.41E. At the crash site, the team identified the aircraft from a piece of the fuselage with the number of the aircraft. They also located a wrist watch that was stopped at 00:42, likely the exact moment of impact. During March 2004, the crash site was revisited by JPAC with Brian Bennett and recommended this MIA case be reopened. Recovery of Remains During the August, 1, 1946 visit by the RAAF Searcher Team, five sets of remains were recovered in and around the wreckage. Bones of a sixth individual were located nearby. Two were positively identified by their dog tags: Kelkey and Fox. A copy of the team's report was forwarded to S/L Keith Rundle and American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) were notified of the discovery. The remains of five individuals (Keeley, Fox plus three unknown others) recovered by the RAAF on August 1, 1946 were transfered to the U.S. Army and buried at USAF Cemetery Finschafen #5. Postwar, their remains of this crew were exhumed and transported to the United States for final burial. Three of the crew were individually identified: Fox, Kelkey and Kaylor and were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. On June 6, 1950 the six of the crew were buried in a group burial at at Zackary Taylor National Cemetery at section I site 174-175. The grave includes remains deemed to be associated with Anderson, Schleh, Conde, Hodge, Nies and Keeley. Fox earned the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf cluster, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters, Distinguished Unit Badge and Purple Heart, posthumously. On March 7, 1947 Fox was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, OK. Kelkey is buried at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Trevose, PA. Kaylor is buried at Marvin Cemetery in Conover, NC. Relatives Debbie Roush (niece of Archibald Hodge) adds: "I have in my possession 3 handwritten diaries he kept from April 1940 through Nov. 28, 1942 (just a week before the plane went down). I have typed a transcript of these diaries as they are very worn and we don't want to lose this valuable information. I also have all the letters from the President to my great grandmother about him being missing and then declared dead." Angela McLawhorn (great niece Vernon R. "Bud" Kaylor) adds: "My great uncle was S/Sgt Vernon R. Kaylor, his nick name was Bud. I am still looking for more information and I was told another family member has a lot so I am going to see what I can find and then will share with you." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17F-5-BO Flying Fortress 41-24429 "24429 (43rd BG, 63rd BS) lost in bad weather near Finschhafen, PNG Dec 3, 1942. All crew KIA." NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William K. Fox NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert W. Schleh NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Joseph J. Conde NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Vernon R. Kaylor NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard M. Keeley Missing Air Crew Report 15685 (MACR 15685) created retroactively circa 1945-1946 RAAF Casualty Card - Fortress 41-24429 mentions the recovery of Miltion Kelkey and W. K. Fox NAA "Fortress - Missing U.S. Aircraft, Fortress B17 41-24429" page 18 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-17 Flying Fortress 41-24429 43rd BG History, microfilm frame 425 FindAGrave - Lewis A Anderson (grave photo) FindAGrave - William Kenneth Fox (grave photo, news) Paris News March 9, 1947 page 13 "Hugo, Okla.--Reburial of Lt. William Kenneth Fox, killed in a plane crash on New Guinea, Dec. 4, 1942, was made here Friday [March 7, 1947]. The Rev. J. B. Clayton, the pastor, officiated at Clayton Avenue Baptist Church, and Campbell Funeral Home made interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Pallbearers were Joseph W. Brindley, J. L. Barnes, Roy Sadler, Joseph Powell, Harold Joerding and Harry Kizer. Lieutenant Fox, son of Mrs. W. E. Fox, now of Wichita Falls, Tex., was born in Hugo, Sept. 27, 1917, and attended Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, graduating from East Central State College at Ada. Entering service in 1941, he was sent to Australia in 1942. His decorations include two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit Badge and Purple Heart. Surviving are his mother, two sisters, Mrs. Edgar C. Robinson, Ervin Rt. Hugo, and Mrs. W. Howard Moore, Wichita Falls, Tex." FindAGrave - Robert W Schleh (grave photo) FindAGrave - Joseph J Conde (grave photo) FindAGrave - Archibald B Hodge (grave photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Vernon Ray Kaylor (grave photo) FindAGrave - Richard M Keeley (grave photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Milton Kelkey (Roosevelt Memorial Park grave photo) FindAGrave - Albert C Nies (grave photo) Pride of Seattle (1998) page 8 Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume I (2020) mentions this loss Thanks to Steve Birdsall, Brian Bennett, Daniel Leahy and Richard Leahy for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-17  MIA 9 Missing Resolved  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
