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| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 424th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Don F. Hathaway, O-663906 (MIA / KIA) Coffeeville, KS Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Walter G. Dowie, O-668217 (MIA / KIA) Polk County, IA Navigator 1st Lt. Herman Levy, O-794148 (MIA / KIA) Philadelphia, PA Bombardier 2nd Lt. George J. Strzelecki, O-731430 (MIA / KIA) Chicago, IL Engineer TSgt Glenn H. Barnard, 14078029 (MIA / KIA) Davidson County, TN Asst Engineer SSgt Melvin J. Robertson, 13072445 (MIA / KIA) Allegany County, MD Radio TSgt Joseph E. Lauve, 34290148 (MIA / KIA) LA Asst Radio SSgt Thomas G. Curry, 38035287 (MIA / KIA) TX Gunner SSgt Jack A. Fournier, 19095372 (MIA / KIA) WA Tail Gunner SSgt Francis J. Murphy, 36253570 (MIA / KIA) WI MIA July 6, 1943 at 6:58 aprox MACR 45A Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego. Constructors Number 1307. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-40-CO Liberator serial number 42-40230. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG) "Long Rangers", 424th Bombardment Squadron (424th BS). No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engine R-1820-43 serial numbers 1) 42-43681 2) 42-43611 3) 42-43627 4) 42-43815. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On July 6, 1943 took off from Carney Airfield (Bomber 2) piloted by 1st Lt. Don F. Hathaway on a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield on Bougainville. After dropping bombs, the formation left the target area on a south-westerly course, to avoid anti-aircraft defenses in the Shortlands area and flew down the west coast until halfway between Shortland and Treasury Islands then east towards Choiseul. This bomber was attacked by enemy aircraft and turned out of formation. It was observed to continue to follow the formation for a time, and then was lost from sight and never seen to go down. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as MIA (MIA). Search The next day, two B-24s from the same squadron were sent out to search for the missing bomber. One searching Malaita Island and the other searching the San Cristobal area. Both reported seeing nothing. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 11, 1946. The entire crew earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Barnard also has a memorial marker at Nashville National Cemetery at Section MA, site 6. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-40-CO Liberator 42-40230 "40230 (307th BG, 424th BS) shot down by fighter near Treasury Islands, Solomons Jul 6, 1943. 10 KIA. MACR 45A." Missing Air Crew Report 45A (MACR 45A) created July 7, 1943 Diary of Oscar C. Fitzhenry - July 11, 1943 "Have had no word form Hathaway on his crew" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Don F. Hathaway American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter G. Dowie American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Herman Levy American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George J. Strzelecki American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Glenn H. Barnard American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Melvin J. Robertson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph E. Lauve American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas G. Curry American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack A. Fournier American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Francis J. Murphy FindAGrave - 1Lt Don F Hathaway (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Walter G. Dowie (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Herman Levy (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1LT George J. Strzelecki (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - TSgt Glenn H Barnard (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Glenn Hardison Barnard (memorial marker) FindAGrave - SSGT Melvin Johnson Robertson (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Joseph E. Lauve FindAGrave - Thomas G. Curry FindAGrave - Jack A. Fournier FindAGrave - Francis J. Murphy 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  Map July 6, 1943  MIA 10 Missing |
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