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| USAAF 5th AF 380th BG 531st BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Benjamin D. Parker, O-439661 (MIA / KIA) NH Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Leo H. Welter, O-731710 (MIA / KIA) WI Bombardier 2nd Lt. Jack E. Corey, O-733535 (MIA/ KIA) CA Navigator 2nd Lt. Herbert W. Field, O-735986 (MIA / KIA) KS Engineer TSgt Earl A. Jeanson, 37160349 (MIA / KIA) MN Radio Pvt Daniel Soloway, 12057307 (MIA / KIA) NY Gunner Stanley C. Rumburg (KIA, BR) Gunner SSgt Donald E. Brown, 18044647 (MIA / KIA) AZ Gunner SSgt William L. DeLauter (KIA, BR) PA Crashed June 15, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego between March 4, 1943 to March 16, 1943. Constructors Number 1594. On March 18, 1943 first test flight. On March 19, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-65-CO Liberator serial number 42-40517. On March 24, 1943 flown to the Tucson, AZ modification center. On April 15, 1943 to Topeka, KS. On April 29, 1942 departed Hamilton Field on a ferry flight via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. On May 4, 1943 arrives Amberly Field near Brisbane. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 380th Bombardment Group (380th BG), 531st Bombardment Squadron (531st BS). Nicknamed "Kathy". Assigned to crew no. 31. In total, this B-24 flew a total of four combat missions in Australia and New Guinea before being lost. Officially, stricken from charge on July 13, 1943. Mission History On June 15, 1943 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Benjamin D. Parker on a bombing mission against enemy shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. Returning, this B-24 suffered a mid-air collision with B-24D “Dauntless Dabby” 42-40528 and crashed into Teak Bay near Rigo on the southern coast of New Guinea. The entire crew was killed in the crash. Recovery of Remains The bodies of two of the crew: DeLauter and Rumburg were recovered and buried in New Guinea. Postwar, they were exhumed and transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Seven missing crew members are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. DeLauter is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34, site 2324. Rumburg's burial is unknown, but presumed to be a private cemetery in his hometown. References 380th BG Association - B-24D "Kathy" 42-40517 380th BG Association - B-24D "Kathy 42-40517 - Mission Record American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Benjamin D. Parker American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leo H. Welter American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack E. Corey American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Herbert W. Field American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Donald E. Brown American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Earl A. Jeanson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Daniel Soloway FindAGrave - William L Delauter (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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 B-24  MIA 7 Missing |
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