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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 424th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Russell W. Rowe, O-726482 (MIA / KIA) Otterbein, IN Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Daniel D. Deuchare, O-662757 (MIA / KIA) Crawford County, IN Navigator 2nd Lt. Charles R. Wade, O-728436 (MIA / KIA) Raleigh, NC Bombardier 2nd Lt. Paul C. Crane, O-728256 (MIA / KIA) Peoria, IL Engineer SSgt Kenneth C. McCarthy, 12029541 (MIA / KIA) Essex County, NJ Asst. Engineer SSgt John Stimadorakis, 13029222 (MIA / KIA) PA Radio SSgt Jack L. Collins, 19054993 (MIA / KIA) MT Gunner Sgt. James F. Magri, 15101628 (MIA / KIA) Cuyahoga County, OH Asst. Radio Sgt Herman E. Selvig, 16022598 (MIA / KIA) Barron County, WI MIA February 13, 1943 at 12:00pm MACR 561 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated in San Diego. Constructors Number 749. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-15-CO Liberator serial number 41-23975. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG) "Long Rangers", 424th Bombardment Squadron (424th BS). No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engine serial numbers R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-42450, 42-42503, 42-42526 and 42-42502. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 561 (MACR 561). Mission History On February 13, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 1st Lt. Russell W. Rowe as one of six B-24s on a bombing mission against shipping in the Shortland-Buin area. This bomber was part of the second wave. The formation was escorted by 4 P-38s and 7 P-40s (inbound, 2 P-38s and 3 P-40s abort due to engine trouble). Over the target at 14,000', the bomber formation dropped 36 x 1,000 lbs bombs. Only a single hit was scored on a transport, and 8 Zeros were claimed as shot down. Over the target, the formation was attacked by 30 A6M Zeros and 15 float-equipped fighters (A6M2-N Rufe), with support from heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ships targeted. At approximately, noon, this B-24 was hit after reaching the target and fell behind the formation and soon afterwards crashed in flames into the sea. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was B-24D 41-23980 (MIA). Justin Taylan adds: "I researched this mission at the Tokyo Defense archives. A total of 39 Japanese aircraft attacked the bomber formation including: 11 Rufes (one aborted) of 802 Kōkūtai, 20 Zeros of the 252 Kōkūtai and 9 Zeros of the 204 Kōkūtai." Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Rowe also has a memorial marker on his parents grave at Pond Grove Cemetery in Medina Township, IN. McCarthy also has a memorial marker in Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA. Beaupre also has a memorial marker in Saint Anne Catholic Cemetery in Saint Anne, IL. References Note, Stimadorakis is listed as 'Stimadorkis' in some references NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Russell W. Rowe NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Daniel D. Deuchare NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles R. Wade NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Paul C. Crane NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Kenneth C. Mc Carthy NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Elmer J. Beaupre NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John Stimadorakis NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Jack L. Collins NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James F. Magri NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Herman E. Selvig USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-15-CO Liberator 41-23975 "23975 (424th BS, 307th BG) lost Feb 13, 1943, Solomon Islands. MACR 561." Missing Air Crew Report 561 (MACR 561) created September 1, 1943 Kodochosho, 802 Kōkūtai, February 13, 1943 Kodochosho, 204 Kōkūtai, February 13, 1943 Kodochosho, 252 Kōkūtai, February 13, 1943 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Russell W. Rowe American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Daniel D. Deuchare American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles R. Wade American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul C. Crane American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Kenneth C. McCarthy American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Elmer J. Beaupre date of death listed as April 13, 1943 [sic] American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John Stimadorakis American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack L. Collins American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James F. Magri American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Herman E. Selvig FindAGrave - 1Lt Russell W Rowe (photo, news, obituary tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Russell Rowe (memorial marker) FindAGrave - 2Lt Daniel D Deuchare (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Charles R Wade (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt Paul C Crane (obituary, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Kenneth C McCarthy (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Kenneth C McCarthy (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Elmer J Beaupre (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Elmer John Beaupre (photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - SSgt John Stimadorakis (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Jack Lewis Collins (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt James F Magri (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Herman E Selvig (tablets of the missing photo) Guadalcanal and the Origins of the 13th Air Force, page 180-181 Vampire Squadron (1985) by William H. Starke pages 25-26 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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