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  B-17E "Honi Kuu Okole" Serial Number 41-9244  
USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
64th BS

Previous Assignments
19th BG

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5th AF January 5, 1943

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43rd BG January 30, 1943

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Down Under 1943

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Ward 1943

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Howell 1943

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43rd BG May 20, 1943
Pilot  Major Paul I. "P. I." Williams, O-418154 (MIA / KIA) Laverne, OK
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt John S. Rippy, O-730964 (POW, executed November 25, 1943) TX
Bombardier  M/Sgt Gordon R. Manuel (survived) Hodgdon, ME
Navigator  2nd Lt. Richard U. Aguirre, O-733398 (MIA / KIA) ID
Engineer  S/Sgt Robert B. Gills, Jr., 33122679 (MIA / KIA) Arlington County, VA
Radio  Sgt Edward Driscoll, 36047422 (MIA / KIA) Knox County, IL
Asst Radio / Waist Gunner  Sgt Lawrence L. Rexroat, 18004066 (MIA / KIA) Helena, OK
Waist Gunner  Sgt Robert A. Curry, 11007351 (POW, executed December 9, 1943) OK
Belly Turret  Pfc William R. Smith, 15098049 (MIA / KIA) Allen County, OH
Tail Gunner  Sgt Joseph F. Murray, 13047717 (MIA / KIA) Lebanon, PA
Passenger  1st Lt. Robert F. Heller, O-398021 380 BG, 529 BS (MIA / KIA) IL
Crashed  May 21, 1943
MACR  2459

Aircraft History
Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2716. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-9244. This bomber was one of thirty-two B-17E Flying Fortresses originally intended for Royal Air Force (RAF) Coastal Command as part of lend-lease and was painted in Royal Air Force (RAF) markings atop the U.S. markings for use as a Fortress IIA with a three tone temperate sea camouflage scheme with the U.S. serial number until flown to the United Kingdom.

During the first week of August 1942, one of four B-17E Flying Fortresses retained by the U.S. Army Air Force: this bomber plus B-17E 41-9196, B-17E 41-9234 and B-17E 41-9235. Afterwards, the RAF roundels were over painted with a U.S. Star markings. Afterwards, ferried from Hamilton Field to Hickam Field and while at the Hawaii Air Depot (HAD) nicknamed "Honi Kuu Okole" in block letters. The words were Hawaiian meaning "Kiss My Ass". Later, the outline of a hand giving the middle finger was added as nose art. Ferried across the Pacific to Australia.

On August 21, 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS) and operated from Mareba Airfield in Queensland.

On November 14, 1942 assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS) based at 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby. Assigned to the pilot Giddings with crew chiefs Coulter and Hoffecker.

On January 5, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) armed with 500 pound bombs on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping off Rabaul.

On February 2, 1943 at 8:00am took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) piloted by 1st Lt. Arthur T. Currin with co-pilot 2nd Lt. Roger G. Kettleson with only a bomb bay fuel tank on a photographic reconnaissance mission planned for 30,000' over Rabaul. While at 25,000' before reaching Rabaul the no. 2 engine lost oil pressure and the propeller did not feather and caused one generator to fail and could not climb further and began to slowly descend. Over Rabaul, enemy fighters were observed and the harbor was crammed with Japanese vessels and made two photographic runs and was targeted by anti-aircraft fire that damaged the engines but the bomber completed the photographic mission with both no. 3 and no. 4 emitting smoke and oil and was attacked by fighters that made fifteen passes before breaking off their attacks with one 20mm shell exploding nearby the stunned both the navigator 1st Lt. Paul C. Baganz and bombardier 2nd Lt. Hatton T. Wall. When the fighters broke off, the B-17 had descended to 8,000' when the no. 2 engine regained roughly half power and managed to land at Dobodura Airfield. Amazingly, none of the crew were seriously injured. The damage sustained on this mission took a month to repair with the crew flown aboard a C-47 back to Port Moresby and the entire crew earned the Silver Star. Only photographs from the first photographic run were successfully developed, none were taken on the second run.

By 1943, the nose contained a scoreboard with claims for seven enemy ships, 18 enemy aircraft and 68 bombing missions. Plus, nine heart markings for Purple Heart medals awarded to crew members for wounds sustained on combat missions. The main landing gear wheel hubs were painted with a U.S. star with a red dot in the center.

On May 20, 1943 in the afternoon took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) piloted by Major Paul I. "P. I." Williams armed with 300 pound bombs and 20 pound fragmentation cluster bombs flying northward to stage from Dobodura Airfield for a night mission over Rabaul. Aboard were two volunteers: 1st Lt. Robert F. Heller, a B-24 Liberator pilot from the 380 BG, 529 BS participating to gain combat experience and Pfc William R. Smith.

Mission History
On May 21, 1943 at 1:00am took off from Dobodura Airfield piloted by Major Paul I. "P. I." Williams as one of five B-17s on a night bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield and Rapopo Airfield near Rabaul then planned to land at 7 Mile Drome (Jackson).

At 3:48am, this B-17 arrived at the initial point over the Warangoi River to begin its bombing run against Vunakanau Airfield. Meanwhile, this B-17 was tracked by J1N1 Irving night fighter piloted by PO1c Shigetoshi Kudo maneuvered below this bomber opened fire with its obliquely mounted upward firing 20mm cannons.

The B-17 was hit from below in the no. 3 and no. 4 engines. A few seconds later, the no. 1 and no. 2 engines were also hit and the bombs ignited. Pilot Williams turned the stricken B-17 to the southeast and headed for the St Georges Channel and ordered the crew to bail out.

Two of the crew: Rippy, Manuel managed to bail out before it crashed into the sea sea and exploded on impact ripping off the tail section and a wing. Also, Curry managed to survive. According to Manuel, after the crash, the same night fighter circled the crash site and strafed the wreckage.

This bomber was the first victory of a Japanese Irving night fighter using oblique upward firing 20mm cannons. Later that same night, Kudo also shot down B-17E 41-9011 and afterwards returned safely to Lakunai Airfield at 5:35am, having expended only 178 rounds against both bombers.

Fates of the Crew
Sgt Gordon Manuel bailed out first and landed in the sea. He made it to shore north of Induna Island near the mouth of the Kambubu River and Matala Plantation and was able to evade capture and survived behind enemy lines in the Put Put area, with the help of local people. Later, he joined a group of Australian coastwatchers and other downed aviators. On February 5, 1944 rescued by USS Gato (SS-212) from Open Bay and returned to duty.

2nd Lt John S. Rippy bail out second and landed in the sea. He made it to shore south of Induna Island and north of Talilis Plantation. Captured by the Japanese Navy, he was transported to Rabaul where he was imprisoned by the Japanese Navy Keibitai (Naval Special Police) at Japanese Navy POW Camp at Rabaul. On November 25, 1943 he was executed at Rabaul with four crew members of B-17E 41-9011 and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Sgt Robert A. Curry also managed to bail out and landed in the sea. He made it to shore and was captured by the Japanese Navy and was and transported to Rabaul where he was imprisoned by the Japanese Navy Keibitai (Naval Special Police) at Japanese Navy POW Camp at Rabaul. On December 9, 1943 he was removed from the camp and executed at Rabaul. Curry remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
The entire crew was declared dead on the day of the mission. The entire crew (aside from Manuel) are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

Williams earned Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Rippy earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Aguirre earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Richard Aguirre Park in Mountain Home, Idaho is named in his honor.

Gills earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at Section ME Site 101.

Driscoll earned the Silver Star, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Rexroat earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Aline-Star Cemetery in Aline, OK.

Curry earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Smith earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously.

Murray earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at section F, site 46-C-2.

Smith earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously.

Manuel joined the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and was promoted to the rank of Captain. He passed away on August 16, 1950 at age 33. Manuel is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 8 site 6423 RH.

Relatives
Gordon Manuel, Jr. (son of M/Sgt Gordon Manuel)
"He was later commissioned into the USAF as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O--888863. And ended his service as a Captain."

Janet Kimble (niece of SSgt Robert Gills)
"I have been researching my uncle's time in the AAF for several years. I have been aware of the Pacific Wrecks website for a long time but hadn't really spent much time on it and I didn't realize there was a specific page for the Honi Kuu Okole. I have a few other pictures of the plane and a picture of Vunakanau but I only have prints and they haven't been scanned."

Dan Reichard (nephew of Sgt Joseph Murray)
My uncle's nickname was Bus which was short for Buster (no one in the family know exactly how he got the nickname).

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John S. Rippy
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert B. Gills, Jr.
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Edward Driscoll
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Lawrence L. Rexroat
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert A. Curry
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William R. Smith
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Joseph F. Murray
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9244
"9244 (43th BG, 63rd BS, *Honikuu Okole*) shot down by Japanese J1N1 night fighter over Gazelle Peninsula May 21, 1943. MACR 2459"
Kodochosho, 251 Kōkūtai, May 21, 1943
Missing Air Crew Report 2459 (MACR 2459) created circa 1944
E&E Report No. 37 MSgt Gordon Manuel February 15, 1944 pages 1-18, appendixes 1-5
E&E Report No. 33 Owen N. Giertsen page 5, meeting M/Sgt Manuel
NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War does not list Rippy or Curry as an official POW of Japan but this was not uncommon for Allied airmen captured in forward areas
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul I. Williams
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John S. Rippy
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Richard U. Aguirre

American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert B. Gills, Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward Driscoll
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lawrence L. Rexroat
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert A. Curry
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William R. Smith
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph F. Murray
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert F. Heller
FindAGrave - Maj Paul Irving Williams (photo, obituary, tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 2Lt John Stanton Rippy (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - 2Lt Richard U Aguirre (photos, tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - SSGT Robert Butler Gills, Jr (photo, memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Robert Butler Gills, Jr (photo, tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Edward W Driscoll (photo, tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Lawrence LeRoy Rexroat (photo, tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Lawrence LeRoy Rexroat (photos, memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Robert A Curry (crew photo, tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - PFC William Richard Smith (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - Sgt Joseph Francis Murray (photos, tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - 1Lt Robert Frederick Heller (photos, obituary, tablets of the missing photos)
FindAGrave - Sgt Joseph Francis Murray (photos, memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - Capt Gordon Richard Manuel (photo, grave photos)
70,000 to One (1946) by Quentin J. Reynolds details Manuel role in the mission and escape
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9244
Moonlight Interceptor (1985) details this shoot down in the prologue, page XIII
Hostages To Freedom (1995) mentions Manuel's story and escape
Flightpath "B-17 At Black Cat Pass" by Steve Birdsall
Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume I (2016) pages 109 (crew photo), 123-124 (February 2, 1943 recon), 189, 190 (photos), 191-192 (May 21, 1943 mission) 193-194 (Manuel escape and evasion June 1-September 1, 1943), 217 (Profile #10), 222 (Profile #10 detail), 292-294 (Manuel joins others and rescue), 316-317 (casualties, appendix ii), 327 (64th BS, appendix iii), 337 (photo), 343, 359 (photo, profile #10 description), 389 (index Curry - 109, 190, 192, 309, 317), 394 (index Honi Kuu Okole)
Thanks to Gordon Manuel, Jr., Janet Kimble, Dan Reichard, Steve Birdsall, Larry Hickey, Jack Fellows and Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
February 5, 2024

 

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B-17

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4°37'15"S
152°27'51"E

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