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| USAAF 5th AF 90th BG 320th BS  90th BG c1942 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Dayton S. Altman, Jr., O-659626 (MIA / KIA) SC Co-Pilot Lt. Norman D. Smith O-661983 (survived) Navigator 2nd Lt. William H. Hoyt, Jr., O-660493 (MIA / KIA) TN Bombardier 2nd Lt. Herbert H. Gardner, O-727630 (MIA / KIA) GA Crew TSgt Freddie K. Affeld, 15082101 (MIA / KIA) IN Radio TSgt Francis M. Brigham, 11010936 (MIA / KIA) CT Crew SSgt Vincent H. Calise, 32199356 (MIA / KIA) NY Crew SSgt John F. Ratliff, 13035569 (MIA / KIA) VA Crew SSgt Francis H. Bogucki, 11010977 (MIA / KIA) CT Ditched January 9, 1943 MACR 764 / 15683 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-5-CO Liberator serial number 41-23772. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG), 320th Bombardment Squadron (320th BS). Nicknamed "Little Eva". Learning of the nickname, pilot Crosson of B-24D "Little Eva" 41-23762 requested exclusive rights to this nickname for his bomber, but his bomber crashed before the nickname on this B-24 could be removed and retained the name "Little Eva". Mission History On January 9, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a bombing mission against a Japanese convoy bound for Lae, sighted east of Finscahfen in the Huon Gulf. This B-24 was given the convoy's position via radio and flew to the target at 7,000' though broken clouds and did not spot the convoy until they overflew it. As the B-24 made its bomb run, it was attacked by eight escorting Zeros attacking in pairs, making seven or eight passes head on. The nose gun ceased firing and a shell severely wounded pilot Altman was in his head and also hurt the radio operator Brigham. Taking the controls, co-pilot Smith dove down to 2,000' and tried to evade the Zeros in clouds, but they continued to damage the bomber, setting the no. 3 engine on fire, but was extinguished using the the fire extinguisher, but the no. 2 engine also caught fire and was extinguished, but the propeller would no feather. Smith called for the crew to prepare to ditch, but none responded. Smith and wounded Altman tried to make a smooth water landing, but suffered a violent impact, submerging the nose section. Smith was able to escape through the cockpit window and shouted for others, but none responded. Swimming to a floating life raft, the plane sank presumably with the rest of the crew aboard. Alone, Smith rowed to shore. Memorials The dead crew members was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Relatives Dayton Altman (nephew of Lt. Dayton Altman) References Missing Air Crew Report 764 (MACR 764), Missing Air Crew Report 15683 (MACR 15683) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 41-23772 The Jolly Rogers (1981) pages 30-31, 195 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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 B-24  MIA 8 Missing |
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