USAAF
5th AF
380th BG
531st BS
380th BG c1943
380th BG c1943
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Pilot Captain James H. Dienelt, O-023999 (MIA / KIA) Washington DC
Co-Pilot Lt John B. Payne Jr., O-734130 (MIA / KIA) FL
Crew 2nd Lt. Joseph A. Donovan, O-734322 (MIA / KIA) NY
Crew SSgt Bernard Greenfield, 12148026 (MIA / KIA) NY
Crew Sgt William J. Kelly, 37285165 (MIA / KIA) ND
Crew TSgt Clarence A. Nevill, 34263296 (MIA / KIA) GA
Crew SSgt Carl A. Ochala, 16100376 (MIA / KIA) IL
Crew 2nd Lt. John A. Palmer, O-796587 (MIA / KIA) NY
Crew Pvt Donald D. Russell, 19088599 (MIA / KIA) CA
Crew TSgt Alvin J. Schulte, 37418570 (MIA / KIA) IA
Crew SSgt Emil F. Vanek, 17030755 (MIA / KIA) NB
Radar Sgt Joseph Holohan, 412532 RAAF (MIA / KIA) Kogarah, NSW, Australia
Crashed June 11, 1943
MACR 4516
Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego between March 1-12, 1943. Constructors Number 1577. On March 16, 1943 first flight. On March 18, 1943 delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial number 42-40500. Modified at Tucson on March 25, then to Topeka, KS on April 16. Had RCM ferret set installed. On April 23, 1943 took off from Hamilton Field on a ferry flight via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving on April 29, 1943 to Amberly Field.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 380th Bombardment Group, 531st Bombardment Squadron based at Manbulloo Airfield. Nicknamed "Careless".
MIssion History
On June 11, 1943 took off from Manbulloo Airfield piloted by James H. Dienelt on mission FEN I-35 a bombing mission against Koepang on Timor Isand. Aboard was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) radar countermeasure specialist, Sgt Joseph Holohan. This was this bomber's first combat mission. After releasing their bomb load, this B-24 was intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down over the Timor Sea. It was followed down by Lieutenant A. V. Connary in another bomber, but no trace of any survivors could be found. Reported to have exploded on
impact with the sea.
Search
Three searches were made, two by the 380th Bomb Group and one by NEIAF No. 18
Squadron. All searches proved negative results. In the opinion of the
Commanding Officer 380th Bomb Group, the crew have
lost their lives.
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The American crew members are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.
Dienelt earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.
Australian crew member Holohan is memorialized at Adelaide River War Cemetery on the Northern Territory Memorial, panel 10.
References
Other sources spell nickname as "Care Less"
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-65-CO Liberator 42-40500
"40500 (380th BG, 531st BS, "Care Less") shot down by fighters near Koepang, Dutch Timor Jun 11, 1943. 11 KIA. MACR 4516."
MIssing Air Crew Report 4516 (MACR 4516)
Australian National Archives - Sgt Joseph Holohan Casualty
File
380th BG Association - B-24 42-40500 (photos and status card)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James H. Dienelt
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John B. Payne Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph A. Donovan
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Bernard Greenfield
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William J. Kelly
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clarence A. Nevill
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Carl A. Ochala
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John A. Palmer
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Donald D. Russell
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Alvin J. Schulte
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Emil F. Vanek
CWGC - Joseph Holohan
FindAGrave -
Capt James H. Dienelt (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - John B. Payne Jr.
FindAGrave - Joseph A. Donovan
FindAGrave - Bernard Greenfield
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Last Updated
February 14, 2020
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B-24
S 11 45'
W 124
MIA
12 Missing |
