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| USAAF 5th AF 380th BG 530th BS  380th BG August 1943  Dakeyne 1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Wilbur L. Morris, O-728016 (POW, survived) Co-Pilot 2nd Robert M. Russell, O-796200 (POW, survived) TN Navigator 2nd Lt. Edward F. Skuzinski, O-667444 (KIA, BR) Grand Rapids, MI Bombardier 2nd Lt. Paul A. Stansbury, O-734399 (POW, survived) Red Bank, NJ Engineer TSgt Paul D. Jones, 18044485 (POW, survived) Yavapai County, AZ Asst Engineer SSgt Charles Bowman, 19000888 (POW, survived) Radio SSgt Chester R. Brown, 36348319 (POW, survived) Asst Radio TSgt William L. Scott, 37218580 (POW, survived) KS Armorer-Gunner SSgt Clayton H. Ruhland, 33067562 (POW, survived) MD Asst Armorer-Gunner SSgt Curtis L. Warren, 39531813 (POW, survived) OK Ditched September 21, 1943 MACR 737 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego between March 8-22, 1943. Constructors Number 1609. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-70-CO Liberator serial number 42-40532. Ferried overseas from Hamilton Field via Hickam Field then across the Pacific bound for Australia. On May 24, 1943 arrives Amberly Field near Brisbane. Wartime History During April 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 380th Bombardment Group (380th BG), 530th Bombardment Squadron (530th BS). Nicknamed "Little Joe" in double quotes in white block letters with a shadow outline with the nose art of a pair of dice rolled to one and three inside an explosion cloud. Also known as 532 for the last three digits of the serial number. Assigned to pilot Lt. David A. Lippincott with crew chief William "Bill" V. Clarke. 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. Next, modified with the installation of nose gun turret by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. On July 20, 1943 took off piloted by Bratton with crew no. 21 on a reconnaissance mission bound for Macassar on Celebes but aborted due to turret issues. In total, this bomber flew 21 combat missions before it was lost. When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-61012, 42-36561, 52-61340 and 42-61902. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers listed in MACR 737. Mission History On September 21, 1943 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Wilbur L. Morris as one of nine B-24s on bombing mission (FEN II-44) against Langgoer Airfield on Kai Island. The weather was clear with scattered clouds. This bomber part of "A" flight flying in the no. 2 position led by B-24D "Old Hickory" 42-40827 pilot Major Jack Bratton with B-24D "Nothing Sacred" 42-40509 pilot 2nd Lt. Hugh B. Parris. 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 while this bomber released over the target. 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. Over the target, shot down by Ki-45 Nick pilot Captain Yoshiaki Yamashita, 2nd chutai leader attacking from 6 o'clock high with his machine guns, then pulled up and fired his 37mm cannon and hit between the no. 3 and no. 4 engines. Damaged, the right wing caught fire and feathered the no. 1 and no. 4 engines and were able to successfully ditch on a coral reef south of Langgoer on Kai Island. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). On impact, the top turret broke loose badly injured Skuzinski and injured Jones with a broken leg. Although severely injured, Skuzinski begged to be freed until Japanese soldiers approached in a small boat and forced the crew to leave him and he later died. Fates of the Crew The rest of the crew became Prisoners Of War (POW) using their life rafts to paddle ashore. Later that same day, Captain Yamashita met the downed crew to confirm his aerial victory. Afterwards, the crew were transported to Ambon where they were interrogated. Next, taken to by boat to Macassar arriving November 12, 1943. Afterwards, transported to Japan and survived until the end of the Pacific War. Wreckage After the crash, the Japanese investigated the crash site and recovered the intact Norden bombsight. The wreckage of this bomber remained atop the coral reef. A year later, the wreckage was photographed. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of Skuzinski were recovered, identified and transported to Hawaii for permanent burial. Memorials Skuzinski was declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section A site 364. Stansbury died February 13, 1996 at age 78. He is buried at Monmouth Memorial Park in Tinton Falls, NJ. Ruhland died November 18, 1999 at age 82. He is buried at Maryland Veterans Cemetery-Crownsville in Crownsville, MD. Morris remained in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died February 26, 2009 at age 89. He is buried at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna, CA at West Section 1 Row C Grave 6. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wilbur L. Morris NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Paul A. Stansbury NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Paul D. Jones NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles Bowman, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Chester R. Brown NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Clayton H. Ruhland NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Curtis L. Warren USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-70-CO Liberator 42-40532 Missing Air Crew Report 737 (MACR 737) created September 23, 1943 NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Wilbur L. Morris NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Robert M. Russell NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Paul Alfre Stansbury NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Paul D. Jones NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Charles Bowman, Jr. NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Chester R. Brown NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - William L. Scott NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Clayton H. Ruhland NARA Records of World War II Prisoners of War - Curtis L. Warren 380th BG Association Data Sheet - B-24D "Little Joe" 42-40532 380th BG Association Mission Record - B-24D "Little Joe" 42-40532 FindAGrave - Edward F Skuzinski (grave photo) FindAGrave - LTC Wilbur Leroy “Will” Morris (grave photos) FindAGrave - Paul Alfred Stansbury (grave photo) FindAGrave - Clayton H Ruhland (photo) The Best in the Southwest (1995) pages 98-102 (September 21, 1943), 101 (photo), 123 (end notes 13-14), 426 (crew list), 454 (42-40532, 530th BS) 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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