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Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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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 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 at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. 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) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 3, 2025
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