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| USAAF 5th AF 380th BG 530th BS Former Assignments 529th BS  380th BG 1943  380th BG Sept 1943 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Hugh B. Parris, Jr. (KIA, BR) McKinney, TX Co-Pilot Archibald S. Mills, Jr. (KIA, BR) Galveston County, TX Navigator Andrew B. Edwards, Jr. (KIA, BR) Georgetown County, SC Bombardier 2nd Lt. LaVerne F. Parsons (KIA, BR) Engineer Sgt Urban V. W. Darlington (KIA, BR) Parkersburg, WV Radio SSgt Leonard R. Greene (KIA, BR) NJ Gunner Sgt Dossie J. Odom (KIA, BR) Wayne County, MS Gunner Sgt Ralph T. Newbold, 35335130 (KIA, BR) Mechanicstown, OH Gunner SSgt William O. Miller (KIA, BR) IL Gunner SSgt Albert J Mirarchi (KIA, BR) NJ Photographer SSgt Frank McGarry (survived) Crashed September 21, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego completed March 13, 1943. Constructors Number 1586. On March 18, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial number 42-40509. On April 21, 1943 took off from Hamilton Field on a ferry flight via Hickam Field across the Pacific to Australia. On April 29, 1943 arrives Amberley Field near Brisbane. Wartime History During late April 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 380th Bombardment Group (380th BG), 529th Bombardment Squadron (529th BS). Nicknamed "Nothing Sacred" with the first word in block letters and the second word with a large S in a cursive font. Below the co-pilot window was a scoreboard with bomb markings indicating missions flown with silhouettes of two planes claimed by gunners. Assigned to pilot Bob Heller with crew chief MSgt Robert G. Abbott. During late May 1943 until June 1943, this bomber flew six missions during a New Guinea deployment then operated from Fenton Airfield in the Northern Territory of Australia. On July 17, 1943 took off piloted by Craddock with crew 11 on bombing mission (FEN II-4) against Macassar on Celebes. After take off, this bomber aborted the mission due to engine problems. During September 1943 transfered to 530th Bombardment Squadron (530th BS). On September 19, 1943 took off piloted by Cesario with replacement crew no. 52, on a bombing mission against Ambon. In total, this bomber flew a total of 13 bombing missions (eleven with 529th BS and two with 530th BS) before it crashed. Mission History On September 21, 1943 took off from Fenton Field piloted by 2nd Lt. Hugh B. Parris with crew no. 27 as one of nine B-24s on bombing mission (FEN II-44) against Langgoer Airfield on Kai Island. This mission was Parris' first combat mission. The weather was clear with scattered clouds. This bomber part of "A" flight flying in the no. 3 position led by B-24D "Old Hickory" 42-40827 pilot Major A. J. "Jack" Bratton with B-24D "Little Joe" 42-40532 pilot Lt. Wilbur Morris. Arriving over the target, clouds obscured the ground and the formation went around in hopes of a break in the clouds. During their second bomb run from 11,000' intercepted by six A6M Zeros from 202 Kōkūtai (202 Air Group) that dropped no. 3 aerial bombs without effect then engaged the bombers of 'A' flight with gunfire that the lead bombardier failed to release. Meanwhile, two Ki-45 Nicks from 5th Hiko Sentai (5th Flying Regiment) took off from Langgoer Airfield to intercept. Due to the aggressive attacks, the bombers believed they were being intercepted by 20-24 fighters and claimed many shot down. In fact, no Japanese planes were lost. This B-24 was hit in an engine and salvoed their bomb load and fought their way out of the immediate area. Returning to Australia, this B-24 attempted to reach Fenton Field but crashed into Sugar Loaf Hill roughly three miles away killing the entire crew with the exception of McGarry who jumped out without a parachute before impact. Officially stricken off charge October 7, 1943. Fates of the Crew Before impact, McGarry jumped out of the bomber without a parachute before it crashed and was the sole survivor. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of the crew were recovered and buried in Australia. Postwar, transported to Hawaii and the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Parris is buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, TX in section S. Mills is buried at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL. Edwards was initially buried at Rockwood Cemetery, Sydney. Postwar, returned to the United States. On March 27, 1948 buried at Souls Chapel Cemetery in Gresham, SC. Darlington is buried at Millersburg Cemetery, Millersburg, KY. Greene is buried at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin, NJ. Odom is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section A site 1032. Newbold is buried at Corinth-Mechanicstown Cemetery in Mechanicstown, OH. Mirarchi is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section A site 154. Miller is buried at Punchbowl at section A site 590. Parsons has an unknown burial, presumably in his hometown in the United States. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Archibald S. Mills Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Urban V. W. Darlington NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ralph T. Newbold NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Albert J. Mirarchi USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-65-CO Liberator 42-40509 "40509 (380th BG, 529th BS, "Nothing Sacred") damaged in mission and crashed on landing near Fenton, Australia Sep 21, 1943. 10 killed, an extra passenger, a photographer survived." FindAGrave - 2LT Hugh Buster Parris Jr. (grave photos) FindAGrave - Archibald Solomon Mills Jr. (photo, news, grave photo) FindAGrave - Andrew Bell Edwards Jr. (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Urban Valentine Williams Darlington Jr. (grave photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Leonard R Greene (grave) FindAGrave - Sgt Dossie James Odom (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Ralph T Newbold (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Albert J Mirarchi (grave photo) FindAGrave - SSgt William O Miller (grave photo) 380th Bomb Group Association - Data Sheet B-24D "Nothing Sacred" 42-40509 380th Bomb Group Association - Mission Record B-24D "Nothing Sacred" 42-40509 Oz@War - Crash of A B-24 Liberator into Sugar Loaf Hill 3 miles from Fenton Airfield, NT on 21 September 1943 The Best in the Southwest (1995) pages 98-102 (September 21, 1943), 426 (crew list), 450 (42-40509, 529th BS) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? 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