|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 11th AF 28th BG 404th BS  USAAF c1943 |
Pilot Major Frank T. Gash, O-396440 (MIA / KIA) CA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Urban A. Faulstich, O-739658 (MIA / KIA) Jackson County, MO Navigator 2nd Lt. Harry S. General, O-740643 (MIA / KIA) MA Bombardier 2nd Lt. Michael Haberern, O-733047 (MIA / KIA) CT Engineer TSgt John L. Gannaway, 6823599 (MIA / KIA) AR Radio TSgt Clifford F. Smith, 39238461 (MIA / KIA) CA Asst. Radio SSgt Leon Abramchik, 32411098 (MIA / KIA) NY Gunner SSgt Ben P. Colecchi, 33296475 (MIA / KIA) PA Radar Sgt William A. Wreath, 39084979 (MIA / KIA) MN Mechanic-Gunner Sgt Homer R. Simmons, 6833445 (MIA / KIA) IL Photographer TSgt Walter S. Feuer, 6907972 (MIA / KIA) NY Crashed September 11, 1943 at 2:10pm MACR 3263 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 685. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-10-CO Liberator serial number 41-23890. Ferried to Alaska. Wartime History Assigned to the 11th Air Force (11th AF), 28th Bombardment Group (28th BG), 404th Bombardment Squadron (404th BS). Aircraft Number 25 painted in large digits on both sides of the nose. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-41379, 42-59839, 42-41162 and 42-59324. Weapon serial numbers not noted in Missing Air Crew Report 3263 (MACR 3263). Mission History On September 11, 1943 took of from Attu Airfield (APO 729) on Attu Island piloted by Major Frank T. Gash leading a bombing mission against the Kashiwabara staging area on the northeast tip of Paramushiru island in the Kurle Islands. Weather was ceiling and visibility unlimited (CAVU). Over the target, the formation made a south to north bombing run from 18,600'. After releasing their bombs, the formation turned to the south and departed over Arahata Cape and descended. Five minutes after the bombing run at 8,000', the bombers were intercepted by Japanese fighters. This B-24 was shot in the no. 1 engine and caused the bomber to begin loosing speed. Damaged, the rest of the formation escorted this bomber to sea level, but enemy fighters concentrated on this B-24 and knocked out the no. 3 engine and the tail gunner was observed to still be firing even after the bomber crashed into the sea. The B-24 crashed at approximately fifty miles east of Arahata Cape on Paramushiru island and was observed by two crew members aboard another bomber. During the crash, the nose was observed to cave in, the fuselage buckled at the bomb bay and both wings broke off. The enemy fighters were observed to strafe the wreckage after the crash. When this B-24 failed to arrive the crew was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Gash earned X. All are memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing. Wreath on court 5. Gash, Faulstich, General, Feuer, Haberern, Gannaway, Smith, Abramchik, Colecchi, Simmons and Feuer at court 7. Gash also has a memorial marker at Liberty Veterans Cemetery in Fresno, CA in section D. Haberern also has a memorial marker at East Cemetery in Manchester, CT in section veteran. Wreath also has a memorial marker at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, MO. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Urban A. Faulstich USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-10-CO Liberator 41-23890 "23890 (28th BG) lost Sep 11, 1943. MACR 3263" Missing Air Crew Report 3263 (MACR 3263) DPAA Unaccounted For Personnel Service Member Profiles does not have an individual profile for any of the crew. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frank T. Gash FindAGrave - Maj Frank T Gash (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Frank Taylor Gash, Jr (memorial marker photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Urban A. Faulstich FindAGrave - 2Lt Urban A Faulstich (photo, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Harry S. General FindAGrave - Lieut Harry S General (courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Michael Haberern FindAGrave - 2Lt Michael Haberern (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Michael M. Haberern (memorial marker photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John L. Gannaway FindAGrave - TSgt John L Gannaway (courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clifford F. Smith FindAGrave - TSgt Clifford F Smith (courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leon Abramchik FindAGrave - SSgt Leon Abramchik (courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ben P. Colecchi FindAGrave - SSgt Ben P. Colecchi (photo, courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William A. Wreath FindAGrave - Sgt William A Wreath (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - William Andrew Wreath (memorial marker photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Homer R. Simmons FindAGrave - Sgt Homer R Simmons (courts of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter S. Feuer FindAGrave - SSgt Walter S Feuer (courts of the missing photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-24  MIA 11 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
