Pacific Wrecks

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

B-24D-20-CO "Daisy May" Serial Number 41-24218

USAAF
14th AF
308th BG
373rd BS

USAAF c1943

USAAF c1943

Pilot Captain Leroy D. Cunningham, O-431945 (MIA / KIA) CA
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Richard P. Hjorth, O-730120 (MIA / KIA) CA
Navigator Captain James M. Everly, O-728365 (KIA) Cardin, OK
Bombardier Captain Maynard P. Johnson, O-663272 (KIA, BR) Rockford, IL
Engineer T/Sgt Michael B. Ludwig, 39181211 (MIA / KIA) Canes, WA
Radio T/Sgt Vincent J. Pizzoferrato, 15071556 (MIA / KIA) Canton, OH
Asst Gunner S/Sgt Leo J. Kennedy, 20121839 (MIA / KIA) MA
Asst Radio T/Sgt Kenneth H. Pershke, 13040925 (KIA, BR) Bradford, PA
Gunner S/Sgt Eldred W. Stafney, 37281162 (MIA / KIA) ND
Observer 2nd Lt Pu Shi Ping, Chinese Air Force (MIA / KIA)
Crashed September 15, 1943
MACR 11907

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 1013. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-20-CO Liberator serial number 41-24218. Ferried overseas to China-Burma India (CBI).

Wartime History
Assigned to the 14th Air Force, 308th Bombardment Group, 373rd Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Daisy May". When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers a) 42-59108 b) 42-59436 c) 42-59282 d) 42-38254.

Mission History
On September 15, 1943 at 1:05pm took off from Yangkai Airfield piloted by Captain Leroy D. Cunningham as one of five B-24s that on a bombing mission against a cement plant north of Haiphong near Hanoi.

Over the target the formation bombed from an altitude of 12,000' and was intercepted by 50+ enemy fighters. This B-24 was hit by gunfire an flipped over before crashing into the Gulf of Tonkin (Tongking Gulf). When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost were B-24D "Temptation" 41-24129 (POW/MIA) and B-24D "Mohawk" 42-40786 (POW/MIA)

Recovery of Remains
Postwar, the remains of Johnson and Pershke were recovered and transported to the United States for permanent burial.

Memorials
The missing crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Postwar, two of the crew were recovered and are buried in the United States. Johnson is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 12, site 3066. Pershke was buried in 1952 at Penn Lincoln Memorial Park in North Huntingdon Township, PA.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-20-CO Liberator 41-24218
"24218 (308th BG, "Daisy Mae") lost Sep 15, 1943 on raid to Haiphong. MACR 11907"
Missing Air Crew Report 11907 (MACR 11907)
Note, some references incorrectly state this B-24 was nicknamed "Daisy Mae"
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leroy D. Cunningham
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Richard P. Hjorth
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James M. Everly
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Michael B. Ludwig
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Vincent J. Pizzoferrato
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leo J. Kennedy
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Eldred W. Stafney
FindAGrave - Capt Leroy D. Cunningham (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Maynard P. Johnson (grave photo)
FindAGrave - Kenneth Herman Pershke (burial record)

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Last Updated
October 14, 2024

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