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Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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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 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 inland from the southern coast of New Guinea. 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 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 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 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
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![]() B-24 ![]() MIA 10 Missing Resolved ![]() 8.21S 146.27E |
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