|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 370th BS Former Assignments 7th AF  307th BG c1943 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. James J. Hale, O-678243 (MIA / KIA) Enid, OK Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert J. Holme, O-690090 (MIA / KIA) Los Angeles, CA Navigator 2nd Lt. Robert W. Eberlein, O-743575 (MIA / KIA) NY Bombardier 2nd Lt. Robert K. Christianson, O-684943 (MIA / KIA) More, OR Engineer TSgt Clyde W. Bennett, Jr., 13094596 (MIA / KIA) Milton, PA Asst Engineer SSgt Paul Brunetto, 31196676 (MIA / KIA) New Britain, CT Radio TSgt William D. Monoghan (MIA / KIA) Percival, IA Asst Radio Cpl Walker L. Williams (MIA / KIA) Kline, CO Gunner SSgt John L. Parent (MIA / KIA) New York, NY Gunner SSgt Edward Toporovich (MIA / KIA) New York, NY MIA April 6, 1944 MACR 3795 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego. Constructor Number 1343. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-45-CO Liberator serial number 42-40266. Also known as #266 for the last three digits of the serial number. Wartime History Assigned to the 7th Air Force (7th AF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG), 370th Bombardment Squadron (370th BS). Nicknamed "Kia Ora" with the nose art of a female. On the left side of the nose was "266" and a scoreboard with bomb markings and the silhouette of two Japanese ships claimed as sunk and a Japanese rising sun flag indicating an enemy aircraft claim as shot down by the gunners. Assigned to crew cheif Ira "Andy" Anderson. During 1943, this B-24 was often piloted by Captain Ulmer J. Newman on who flew a total of 35 bombing missions totalling 300 hours over the Solomon Islands. When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-36807, 42-38628, 42-39437 and 42-38983. Armed with ten .50 caliber machine guns serial numbers unknown plus two .30 caliber machine guns serial numbers unknown. Mission History On April 6, 1944 took off from Nissan Airfield (Green Island) from Ocean Airfield (Bomber Strip) piloted by 2nd Lt. James J. Hale on a bombing mission against Truk Lagoon. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Hale earned the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Holme earned the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Eberlein earned the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-45-CO Liberator 42-40266 "40266 (307th BG) lost Apr 6, 1944, Solomons. MACR 3795" The Salt Tablet "Bundles For Japan" Began New Move In Long Range Pacific Air Combat" Vol. 2 No. 47 November 25, 1943 page 5 "In the South Pacific, Major Newman, flying Liberator named “266” [B-24D 42-40266] from its serial number, flew 35 missions and piled up better than 300 hours of combat in the air. Despite the fact his was the lead ship, it escaped with only a few bullet holes. One the other hand, his crew accounted for eight enemy planes and at least to cargo vessels." Missing Air Crew Report 3795 (MACR 3795) created April 7, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James J. Hale American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert J. Holme American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert W. Eberlein American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert K. Christianson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clyde W. Bennett, Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul Brunetto American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William B. Monaghan American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walker L. Williams American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John L. Parent American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward Toporovich FindAGrave - James J. Hale FindAGrave - Robert J. Holme FindAGrave - Robert W. Eberlein FindAGrave - Robert K. Christianson FindAGrave - Clyde W. Bennett, Jr. FindAGrave - Paul Brunetto FindAGrave - William D. Monoghan FindAGrave - Walker L. Williams FindAGrave - John L. Parent FindAGrave - Edward Toporovich FindAGrave - FindAGrave - Thanks James McCabe / 307th Bomb Group Association 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
|
 B-24  MIA 10 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
