Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 90th Bombardment Group, 400th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Jughead".

Mission History
On April 10, 1943 took off from 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt George C. McNair on a bombing mission against Wewak. When this B-24 failed to return from the mission and was declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Wreckage
During May 1943 the wreckage was located by a missionary near Bina (Piunga), roughly three miles north of the village on the Biaru River.

Recovery of Remains
After receiving the report of remains in May 1943, an Australian Army team led by Captain Toogood trekked to the crash site and recovered the remains of the crew. The wreckage indicated that the bomber collided with the rugged terrain by flying too low, likely while attempting to pass under a tropical storm.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, the crew was transported to the United States for permanent burial.

Three of the crew are buried at Hawaii Cemetery (Punchbowl) Orr at Plot A Row 0 Grave 156. Brackett at Plot B Row 0 Grave 154. Hilsabeck at section B site 1263.

Two of the crew are buried at Long Island National Cemetery are Wagner at section J site 16135 and Singer at section J site 16387. McNair at Vicksburg National Military Park at section W site 17496. Tingley is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery at section D site 522. Weinberg at Camp Butler National Cemetery at section C site 327. Fish is buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon, SD. Sassi at Saint Josephs Cemetery in Kingston, MA.

References
National Archives of Australia (NAA) A9696/636/3312969, "Short report on location of crashed B-24: 41-24068"
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 41-24068
FindAGrave - George C. McNair (grave photo)
FindAGrave - John A Tingley (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Lieut James Scoggin Orr (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Albert E Weinberg (photo, grave photo)
FindAGrave - Glenn E Hilsabeck (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Louis R Sassi (grave photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Frank H Brackett (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Richard F. Fish (photo, grave photo)
FindAGrave - Irving Singer
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
February 14, 2020