|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 90th BG 400th BS  Steve Klinsky 1941 |
Pilot 1st Lt George C. McNair, O-442972 (KIA, BR) Mize, MS Co-Pilot 2nd Lt John A. Tingley, O-727945 (KIA, BR) Alameda, CA Navigator 2nd Lt James S. Orr, O-733461 (KIA, BR) Cheyenne, WY Bombardier 2nd Lt Albert E. Weinberg, O-726957 (KIA, BR) Chicago, IL Engineer T/Sgt Glenn E. Hilsabeck, 20619407 (KIA, BR) Bloomington, IL Radio T/Sgt Louis R. Sassi, 11047438 (KIA, BR) Kingston, MA Gunner S/Sgt Frank H. Brackett, 6143061 (KIA, BR) Providence, RI Gunner S/Sgt Richard F. Fish, 39826251 (KIA, BR) Keldron, SD Gunner S/Sgt Irvin Singer, 33112030 (KIA, BR) Reading, PA Gunner S/Sgt Wade L. Wagner, 14068165 (KIA, BR) Pittsboro, NC Crashed April 10, 1943 MACR 15085 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 863. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-15-CO Liberator serial number 41-24068. 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) "Jolly Rogers", 400th Bombardment Squadron (400th BS). 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 armed with 1,000 pound bombs on a bombing mission against Wewak. When this B-24 failed to return from the mission and was declared Missing In Action (MIA). In fact, it crashed on the Biaru River roughly three miles from Bina (Piunga) inland from the southern coast of New Guinea. The plane was observed to circle then exploded midair and came down slowly. On impact, the plane exploded and burned with ammunition cooking off for the next two days. Wreckage During May 1943 the wreckage was found by a missionary, Father Perrin on the Biaru River roughly three miles north of Bina (Piunga). Recovery of Remains After receiving the report of the crash, in late April 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 and was flying too low, likely while attempting to fly 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. McNair is buried at Vicksburg National Military Park at section W site 17496. Tingley is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery at section D site 522. Orr is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot A grave 156. Weinberg is buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery at section C site 327. Hilsabeck is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot B grave 1263. Sassi is buried at Saint Josephs Cemetery in Kingston, MA. Brackett is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot B grave 154. Fish is buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon, SD. Singer is buried at Long Island National Cemetery at section J grave 16387. Wagner is buried at Long Island National Cemetery at section J grave 16135. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George C. McNair surname spelled "Mc Nair" NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James S. Orr NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Albert E. Weinberg NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Glenn E. Hilsabeck NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Louis R. Sassi NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard F. Fish NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Irvin Singer NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wade L. Wagner USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-15-CO Liberator 41-24068 MACR 15085 (MACR 15085) created retroactively circa October 1945 "Biaru River, Lakekamu District" report by Captain Toogood April 21, 1943 "Acting on reports of a crashed plane, by the VC and natives of Bina village, I proceeded to the scene of the crash. A description of what was found there, with details leading up to the crash as recounted by the village natives, follows:- The natives state that on the morning of Saturday 10 April 1943, about or between the hours of 0400 and 0500, a plane was heard over the village, it remained in the vicinity for some time, circling round then an explosion was heard in the air, but no gun fire, and the plane was seen to be on fire in the air coming slowly down. It came to earth about a mile and a half west of the village, and although no one actually saw it hit the ground, owing to the denseness of the 'bush'; a tremendous explosion occurred about the same time it hit the ground. Throughout Saturday and Sunday smoke was seen to be coming from place where it crashed, and ammunition continuously exploding, this kept the natives from investigating too closely." PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 41-24068 National Archives of Australia (NAA) A9696/636/3312969, "Short report on location of crashed B-24: 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 (photo, 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 (grave photo) Thanks to Richard Dunn and Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 7, 2025
|
 B-24  MIA 10 Missing Resolved  8.21S 146.27E |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
