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USAAF 19th BG 435th BS "Kangaroo Squadron" Former Assignments 43rd BG 64th BS ![]() ![]() USAAF March 1942 ![]() United Press Aug 11, 1942 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Wilson L. Cook, O-417007 (MIA / KIA) Bradley,
OK Co-Pilot F/Sgt George S. Andrews, 6694 RAAF (MIA / KIA) Brisbane, QLD, Australia Navigator 2nd Lt. Hubert S. Mobley, O-441131 (MIA / KIA) Tampa, FL Bombardier 2nd Lt. Joseph R. Cunningham, O-433008 (MIA / KIA) Travelers Rest, SC Engineer SSgt Elwyn O. Rahier, 6566980 (MIA / KIA) MN Asst. Engineer SSgt John J. Dunbar (MIA / KIA) Tujunga, CA Radio TSgt Irving W. McMichael, 6580398 (MIA / KIA) Lincon, NE Asst Radio Cpl Charles M. Hartman, 6583190 (MIA / KIA) Gettysburg, SD AVS / Gunner Pvt David B. Beattie, 16039053 (MIA / KIA) Glasgow, Scotland Gunner Cpl Richard K. Pastor, 12007946 (MIA / KIA) Lynbrook, NY MIA August 14, 1942 MACR 16345 Aircraft History On March 5, 1942 at a ceremony at Boeing Field delivered to the U. S. Army on behalf of Major General F. L. Martin in a ceremony attended by Seattle mayor Earl Millikin P. G. Johnson, Mrs. Edward C. Teats and others. Afterwards, ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. On August 5, 1942 assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS) as their first B-17, but on August 6, 1942 transferred back to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 435th Bombardment Squadron (435th BS). On August 8, 1942 in the afternoon took off from Fenton Airfield on a flight to Garbutt Field near Townsville to stage for a bombing mission the next day. On August 9, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Lt. Morris Friedman on a reconnaissance mission over Rabaul and Kavieng. The mission lasted 8 hours and 40 minutes. On August 11, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome piloted by Lt. Morris Friedman on a reconnaissance mission over Rabaul and Kavieng. After an hour and a half, aborted the mission due to a problem with the no. 2 engine and returned after three hours. When it landed, United Press (UP) correspondent Frank Hewlett, interviewed the crew and a photographed the crew and bomber while the ground crew worked on the issues related to the no. 2 engine. Two days later, the repairs were completed. Mission History After take off, nothing ever heard from this bomber and it was presumed lost sometime between 10:00am to 7:00pm near Gasmata. When this B-17 failed to return, entire crew was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). In fact, this B-17 was intercepted and claimed by A6M3 Model 32 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai. That morning, the nine Zero took off from Lae Airfield on a flight bound for Buna to escort a convoy. The formation included: 1st shotai: Lt(jg) Joji Yamashita, FPO2c Ichirobei Yamazaki and FPO3c Hiroshi Okano. 2nd shotai: Lt(jg) Takeyoshi Ono, FPO1c Sadao Yamashita, FPO3c Masami Arai. 3rd shotai: WO Sahei Yamashita, FPO2c Enji Kakimoto, F1c Kihachi Ninomiya. According to Japanese records, the Zeros intercepted a single B-17 at 7:35am over the Solomon Sea south of New Britain. The bomber's defensive fire severely damaged A6M3 Zero piloted by Lt(jg) Takeyoshi Ono. At 7:40, the three Zeros of the 1st shotai claimed the B-17 as shot down. Afterwards, the 2nd shotai escorted Lt(jg) Takeyoshi Ono's damaged Zero and all three land Buna Airfield. As B-17E "Chief Seattle 41-2656 was the only B-17 lost that date and planned to fly over the same area at the same time, the Zero claim corresponds this bomber. Likely, this B-17 crashed into the open sea and it is unlikely any wreckage will ever be found. Australian Andrews was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Bomana War Cemetery on the Port Moresby Memorial, panel 9. 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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