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| USAAF 13th AF 868th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Donald W. Dyer, O-678201 (MIA / KIA) Hermosa Beach, CA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. George M. Jones, O-691049 (MIA / KIA) Conway, AR Navigator 2nd Lt. John E. Malley, O-689620 (MIA / KIA) Houston, TX Bombardier 2nd Lt. Charles L. Frank, Jr., O-751898 (MIA / KIA) Woodmont, CT Engineer SSgt William E. Grenz, 37263695 (MIA / KIA) Lake Benton, MN Asst. Engineer SSgt Bernard A. Malinowski, 36216903 (MIA / KIA) Milwaukee WI Radio SSgt Walter Martin, 35671201 (MIA / KIA) Larue, KY Radar SSgt Seymour J. Stoller, 32419449 (MIA / KIA) New York, NY Gunner SSgt Melvin W. Ott, 32830456 (MIA / KIA) Buffalo, NY Gunner SSgt William W. Mikesell, 15019606 (MIA / KIA) Yongstown, OH MIA June 11, 1944 at 2:30am MACR 6138 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 3422. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-85-CO Liberator serial number 42-100273. Converted into a radar equipped SB-24 Liberator for use on night "snooper" missions. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 868th Bombardment Squadron (868th BS) "Snooper Squadron" as a SB-24J Liberator. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-1830-65 serial numbers BP-42934, BP-429392, BP-429662 and BP-42934. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 6138 (MACR 6138). Mission History On June 11, 1944 took off from Mokerang Airfield on Los Negros piloted by 2nd Lt. Donald W. Dyer on a radar "snooper" mission over Truk. The weather was reported as good. Over the target, this B-24 was believed to be lost due to either enemy anti-aircraft fire or a night fighter. When this B-24 failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). In the same formation, B-24 piloted by Rockwood observed a large burning object descending approximately 20 miles northwest of Faleu Island before reportedly crashing onto Faleu Island where it broke into two pieces and burned brightly for at least twenty minutes. Another B-24 piloted by Haynes observed the same B-24 explode in mid-air and appeared to go down in a flat spin and crashed, breaking into several pieces onto land and burn for a long time. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on February 21, 1946. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Dyer earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at plot MA, 0, 17. Jones earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Malley earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Frank earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Grenz earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Malinowski earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Martin earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Stoller earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Ott earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Mikesell earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Donald W. Dyer NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles L. Frank, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Bernard A. Malinowski NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Walter Martin NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Seymour J. Stoller NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Melvin W. Ott NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William W. Mikesell USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-85-CO Liberator 42-100273 "100273 (868th BG) lost Jun 11, 1944. MACR 6138" Missing Air Crew Report 6138 (MACR 6138) created June 18, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Donald W. Dyer American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - George M. Jones American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - John E. Malley American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Charles L. Frank Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - William E. Grenz American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Bernard A. Malinowski American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Walter Martin American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Seymour J. Stoller American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Melvin W. Ott American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - William W. Mikesell FindAGrave - 2Lt Donald W Dyer (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Donald W Dyer (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt George M Jones (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2Lt John E Malley (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2LT Charles L Frank, Jr (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt William E Grenz (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Bernard A Malinowski (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Walter Martin (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Seymour J Stoller (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Melvin W Ott (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt William W Mikesell (tablets of the missing photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated October 25, 2025
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