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Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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USAAF 5th AF 19th BG 30th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Paul M. Lindsey, O-406701 (survived) Canon City, CO Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kernan (survived) West Nyack, NY Navigator 2nd Lt. Edward R. Budz (KIA, BR) Housatonic, MA Bombardier SSgt James E. Houchins (KIA, BR) Coeburn, VA Engineer SSgt Houston A. Rice (KIA, BR) Ordway, CO Ball Turret Sgt Edward (Ralph) Dietz (survived) Clarion, PA Waist Gunner Sgt Henry Buller (survived) Billings, MT Tail Gunner Sgt. Vernon O. Elder (survived) La Junta, CO Crashed July 14, 1942 at 3:34am MACR none Aircraft History Wartime History On July 13, 1942 took off from Cloncurry Airfield to to Horn Island Airfield to stage a bombing mission against Lae the next day. Mission History The surviving crew awaited rescue and aided each other in the water. Lindsay and Kernan assisting one of the enlisted men who could not swim, holding him above the surface until rescued. Afterwards, Kernan earned the Soldier's Medal for aiding the enlisted man. The crew reported sharks and crocodiles in the vicinity. Buller swam into the wreckage to retrieve shark repellent. Rescue Afterwards, the surviving crew members was given a ten day R&R pass to Cairns to recuperate from the ordeal. Afterwards, the crew returned to flying duty. On August 16, 1942 pilot Lindsey went Missing In Action (MIA) as a passenger aboard B-17E 41-2434. Wreckage In 1997, former crew member Ralph Deltz and his wife Rae visited Horn Island and with the help of local resident and author Vanessa Seekee, he revisited the crash site of his B-17 and removed a small relic as a souvenir. During 2010, Ken Bledsoe (son of Vernon O. Elder) snorkled the wreckage. Memorials Budz is buried at Saint Bridgets Cemetery in Great Barrington, MA. The local VFW is in part named after Lt. Budz and his brother Chester, also a veteran with the 19th BG. Houchins was buried on May 10, 1949 at Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood, VA. Rice was buried during May 1949 at Golden Gate National Cemetery at section J, site 1088. Elder passed away on March 24, 1973. He is buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery at Section Q Site 4927. Relatives References Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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