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| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 424th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Jack M. Cobb, O-665966 (survived) Harris County, TX Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Carl O. Beisser, O-796647 (survived) Webster County, IA Navigator 2nd Lt. Calvin G. Brown, O-795192 (KIA, BR) Duncan, OK Bombardier 2nd Lt. Melville G. Brown, O-734417 (survived) WI Engineer TSgt John F. Bjornberg, 13041378 (survived) Pittsburgh, PA Asst Engineer SSgt Harley H. Hartwig, 36221778 (survived) WI Radio TSgt Oliver Ordway, 39087899 (survived) Stanislaus County, CA Asst Radio SSgt Edward R. Schank, 13113508 (survived) PA Tail Gunner SSgt Wilborn L. Craft, 14082111 (survived) Hillsborough County, FL Armor Gunner Pvt Dale E. Riley, 37131284 (survived) Ditched July 7, 1943 MACR 1487 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 1461. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-53-CO Liberator serial number 42-40384. This aircraft was a modified with a nose turret. When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-44611, 42-44631, 42-44660 and 42-44807. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG) "Long Rangers", 424th Bombardment Squadron (424th BS). Nicknamed "Scrap Iron". When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers a) 42-44611 b) 42-44631 c) 42-44660 d) 42-44807. Previously, this crew flew six missions including June 10, 1943 bombing Vila, June 14, 1943 bombing Kahili, June 20, 1943 bombing Nauru and June 21, 1943 bombing Ballale. Mission History On July 7, 1943 at 3:57am took off from Carney Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 1st Lt. Jack M. Cobb on a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield on Bougainville. The weather was unknown. On the return flight at night, ditched off then northern tip of Santa Isabel in approximately 40' of water. After the ditching, navigator Brown was not seen again, and was possibly killed when the ball turret came loose and struck him. He was never seen again, despite searches by the other crew. Search Eight B-24s flew search missions to locate this bomber, but achieved negative results. Fates of the Crew After the ditching, navigator Brown was not seen again, and was possibly killed when the ball turret came loose and struck him. He was never seen again, despite searches by the other crew. The other crew members sustained injuries in the crash. Locals assisted to the crew to safety, and afterwards they were rescued. Recovery of Remains Afterwards, the remains of Brown recovered and postwar transported to the United States for permenant burial. Memorials Brown was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Duncan Municipal Cemetery at bolck 28 in Duncan, OK. Cobb passed away July 1, 1988 at age 77. He is buried at South Park Cemetery at Pearland, TX. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Jack M. Cobb NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Carl O. Beisser NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Calvin G. Brown NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Melville G. Brown NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John F. Bjornberg NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harley H. Hartwig NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Oliver Ordway NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Edward R. Schank NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wilborn L. Craft USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-53-CO Liberator 42-40384 "40384 (307th BG) lost Jul 8, 1943. MACR 45 [sic] and 1487" Missing Air Crew Report 1487 (MACR 1487) created July 9, 1943 Missing Air Crew Report 1486 (MACR 1486) created July 7, 1943 mentions this loss FindAGrave - 2LT Calvin G. Brown (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Jack Marshall Cobb (photos, grave photo) 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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