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| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 64th BS   64th BS 1944  USAAF 1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Hugh P. Papworth (survived) Syracuse, NY Crew SSgt Wayne M. Smith, 15374055 (injured, survived) Fort Wayne, IN Crew SSgt Clifford H. Stacy, 18166050 (injured, survived) Knobel, AR Radio TSgt Homer D. Hopson, 15382111 (survived) Gary, IN Tail Gunner SSgt Wallace B. Suarez, 38136450 (MIA / KIA, BNR) TX Crashed April 2, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 1744. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-85-CO Liberator serial number 42-40667. On April 25, 1943 assigned to pilot 1st Lt. Harry N. Young at Topeak Airfield. On May 15, 1943 flown via Albuquerque to Hamilton Field. Nicknamed "Frisky" in red block letters with a white outline named after the pilot's wife Francis with the nose art of a white horse galloping. The nickname and nose art were identical on both sides of the nose. Below the pilot's window was "H. N. Young" and "Francis" (his wife). Later, the tail had a white diagonal stripe. Also known as simply "667" for the last three digits of the serial number. On May 19, 1943 took off from Hamilton Field on a ferry flight to Hickam Field then underwent modifications at the Hawaiian Air Depot (HAD) including the addition of B-scan radar system and installation of Consolidated nose turret and tail turret plus the removal of the lower Sperry ball turret with twin .50 caliber machine guns mounted in a Scarff ring instead. On July 1, 1942 departed on a ferried across the Pacific via Canton Airfield, Nadi Airfield and Plaine des Gaiacs Airfield before arriving at Amberley Field near Brisbane on July 10, 1943. Next, flown to Garbutt Field at Townsville. On July 30, 1943 made another test flight to confirm it was ready for combat duty and was flown to Charters Towers Airfield then the next morning flown to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Wartime History On July 1, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS) as one of the first B-24 Liberators assigned to both the group and squadron. Assigned to pilot 1st Lt. Harry N. Young, the regular crew included co-pilot 2nd Lt. James A. Meyer, navigator 2nd Lt. Clifford W. Unruh, bombardier 2nd Lt. Philip W. Barber, engineer TSgt Steven M. Baker, radio TSgt James G. Till, assistant engineer SSgt John Chopyak, assistant radio SSgt George L. Weaver, gunner SSgt Alfred A. Tomei and assistant gunner SSgt Loring D. Brosseau. This same crew had ferried the bomber overseas and remained assigned to the same plane in combat. The regular crew chief was TSgt E. V. "Red" Smith. This bomber regularly flew bombing missions against targets on New Guinea and New Britain. On several missions, this B-24 was intercepted and sustained minor damage from gunfire but was repaired and continued flying. On July 11, 1943 in the predawn darkness took off from 7 Mile Drome piloted by 1st Lt. Harry N. Young on a bombing mission against Rabaul as part of a formation of B-17s and B-24s. This was the bomber and crew's first mission and returning became lost but after 90 minutes found their position and landed safely critically low on fuel. On July 23, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission against Bogadjim. On July 25, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission against Salamaua but the misson was recalled. The same mission was flown the next day. On August 9, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a bombing mission against Salamaua. On August 14, 1943 took off on another mission against Salamaua but aborted. On August 15, 1943 took off on a mission against Wewak but aborted. On August 18, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a reconaissance mission over the Bismarck Sea. On August 23, 1943 took off on a mission against Hansa Bay. On August 25, 1943 took off on a reconassiance mission as far north as the equator. On September 10, 1943 took off piloted by Young on another reconassiance mission as far north as the equator but aborted. On September 12, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission against Cape Gloucester. On September 17, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a reconnaissance mission over the the Bismarck Sea and Solomon Sea and attacked three Japanese vessels "Sugar Charlie" estimated to be 500–1,000 Tons. During the strike, anti-aircraft fire damaged the nose and a piece of shrapnel damaged the no. 4 engine propeller in one blade. On September 22, 1943 piloted by Young on a reconassiance mission over the Solomon Sea. On September 26, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission against Wewak and aborted the mission. On September 28, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission against Rabaul. On October 13, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission against Cape Hoskins and aborted. On October 23, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission over Rabaul. Over the target, the nose gunner claimed a probable Zero. On October 18, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission against Finschafen. On October 21, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a bombing mission over Rabaul. On October 23, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a bombing mission over Rabaul. On October 25, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a bombing mission over Rabaul. On October 27, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a mission over Rabaul damaged by a 20mm cannon shell that hit behind the left waist window. On October 29, 1943 at 8:30am took off from 7 Mile Drome piloted Young armed with fragmentation bombs as one of nine B-24s from the 64th Bomb Squadron plus nine from the 63rd BS and ten from the 403rd BS on a bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Inbound to the target, six B-24s aborted the mission due to mechanical issues. Over Kiriwina Island, the bomber formation joined other B-24s from the 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG) plus their escort of 53 P-38 Lightnings. Arriving over the target area by noon, the formation experienced intense anti-aircraft fire including gunfire from warships in Blanche Bay. Roughly 75 Japanese fighters intercepted the formation and release aerial bombs to break up the bomber formation that were ineffective then were intercepted by the P-38s while the bombers successfully released their bombs over Vunakanau Airfield causing explosions on the ground and destroying parked planes. During the air combat, pilot Young saw four Zeros chasing an escorting P-38 Lightning that appeared to be unable to jettison its drop tank. To protect the fighter, Young directed the bomber formation to fly alongside to allow the B-24 gunners to provide protection and escorted the fighter back to Kiriwina Airfield where it landed safely. Afterwards, this bomber landed at Dobodura Airfield and the next morning flew back to 7 Mile Drome. On November 6, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a bombing mission against Rabaul. On November 11, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a bombing mission against Alexishafen. On November 13, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a reconnaissance mission over the Solomon Sea. On November 17, 1943 took off piloted by Young on a reconnaissance mission over New Britain. On November 21, 1943 mission over Gasmata. On November 24, 1943 mission over Cape Gloucester. On December 25, 1943 took off from Dobodura Airfield piloted by Captain Frank J. Krones, 64th BS C.O. on a bombing mission against Cape Gloucester. Returning to land, the nose wheel collapsed but none of the crew were injured. On the ground, crew chief TSgt E. V. "Red" Smith was reportedly in tears seeing his plane damaged. Afterwards, the bomber was assigned to the 481st Service Squadron and repaired over a ten week period then returned to the squadron March 9, 1944 and resumed flying combat missions. On March 31, 1944 took off piloted by Dixson on a mission against Hollandia. By early April 1944, this bomber had flown at least 37 bombing missions. The scoreboard included six Purple Hearts indicated crew wounded on missions. This B-24 also claimed a Japanese ship claimed as sunk. Mission History On April 2, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Hugh P. Papworth armed with eight 1,000 pound bombs on a bombing mission against Kairiru Island off Wewak. While gaining speed to take off from Nadzab No. 3, this B-24 reportedly hit a .50 caliber round sticking up in the marston matting (PSP) covering the runway that blew out the left tire, caused the left landing gear leg to collapse causing one of the left engines to catch fire as the bomber skidded to a stop. Seven of the crew emerged from the bomber with two crew members trapped inside. Observing the accident, Major Frank J. Krones, Commanding Officer (C.O.) 64th Bombardment Squadron raced to the scene in a crash truck to rescue the crew trapped inside. He was aided by three of the plane's crew including pilot 1st Lt. Hugh P. Papworth and crew SSgt Wayne M. Smith and SSgt Clifford H. Stacy. The enlisted men used fired extinguishers on the flames while the two officers crawled inside the fuselage wreckage. Trapped inside the radio compartment was TSgt Homer D. Hopson who uninjured aside from being in a state of shock. Behind him was SSgt Wallace B. Suarez who was alive but unresponsive and trapped between the catwalk and bomb bay and pinned by metal from the fuselage. Major Krones attempted to free him and managed to grab his legs but was unable to free him while others used axes in an attempt to free him from the exterior. Meanwhile, the flames continued to spread and the rescuers fled the bomber fearing the fuel tanks and bombs would explode. Ten minutes after the crash, the flames reached the bomb bay and caused six of the eight 1,000 pound bombs to detonate destroying the bomber in small pieces. The explosion injured several bystanders and some of the crew. Afterwards, at least three of the crew Hopson, Smith and Stacy re hospitalized with non-battle injuries including Hopson, Smith and Stacy. Recovery of Remains After the crash and explosion, some of the remains of SSgt Suarez were recovered. Regardless, he remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Suarez was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He remains is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Eastland City Cemetery in Eastland, TX. The epitaph reads: "In loving memory of SSgt Wallace B. Suarez July 21, 1913 Apr. 2, 1944 – He was killed in action over Nadzab, New Guinea - a complete fulfillment of the task for which he so gallantly has placed his life upon the alter of freedom." Wreckage The port wing is against the reef at 1m. The starboard wing is 9m deep. The fuselage is broken in half behind the wings, and the rear is missing. Inside the fuselage is filled with silt and debris. One machine gun is visible. Visibility on the wreck is almost zero due to its proximity to shore. Relatives Sondra Suarez Winborne (daughter of Suarez) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wayne M. Smith NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Clifford H. Stacy NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Homer D. Hopson NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wallace B. Suarez USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-85-CO Liberator 42-40667 "40667 (43rd BG, 64th BS, 'Frisky') destroyed in takeoff accident at Nadzab, New Guinea airstrip Apr 2, 1944" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wallace B. Suarez FindAGrave - Sgt Wallace B. Suarez (photo, memorial marker photo) NARA U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files - Homer D. Hopson NARA U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files - Clifford H. Stacy NARA U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files - Wayne M. Smith NARA U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files -Wallace B. Suarez Honolulu Star-Bulletin "All The Heroism Not On Actual Battlefields” by Olen Clements (AP) April 19, 1944 page 3 "Advanced Air Base, New Guinea, April 2. –(Delayed)–(AP) The motors of the bomb-laden Liberator roared as she started down the runway from the takeoff on a routine Fifth Air Force raid. Halfway down the runway a tire blew out and the fast moving bomber lurched sideways, tipped on a wing and buckled in the middle. Flames shot up from her and uninjured crew members piled out of escape hatches and doors in a mad scramble" Austin American-Statesman "Mates Forced to Leave Trapped Flier" by Olen Clements (AP) April 6, 1944 page 6 "The motors of the bomb-laden Liberator roared as she started down the runway from the takeoff on a routine Fifth Air Force raid. Halfway down the runway a tire blew out and the fast moving bomber lurched sideways, tipped on a wing and buckled in the middle... They found no trace of the injured gunner." Ken’s Men Against The Empire Volume I (2015) pages 220 (profile 22), 234 (profile 22 detail), 371-372 (profile 22 description), index (does not list Frisky) Ken’s Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 28-29 (October 29, 1943 mission), 58-59 (December 25, 1943 mission), 103 (April 2, 1944 mission), 356 (Appendix II: April 2, 1944), 372 (42-40667), 382, 384, 446 (index Frisky), 460 (index Suarez) Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional research and analysis 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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