|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 13th AF 5th BG 31st BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Gordon T. Hall, O-736514 (KIA, BR) Van Nuys, CA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. John P. McCarthy, O-739821 (KIA, BR) Anaconda, MT Navigator 2nd Lt. Franklin M. Kauffman, O-678581 (KIA, BR) Foraker, IN Bombardier 2nd Lt. John Cimikoski, O-2043678 (KIA, BR) Norwich, CT Engineer TSgt Robert W. McClure, Jr., 18045448 (KIA, BR) WV Assistant Engineer SSgt Arthur J. Garay, 16003970 (KIA, BR) Whiting, IN Radio TSgt Emil J. Dachowski, 31340025 (KIA, BR) Medford, MA Assistant Radio SSgt William J. Mahaney, Jr., 35494414 (KIA, BR) Water Valley, MS Gunner SSgt Judson Taylor, 34337264 (KIA, BR) Millry, AL Gunner SSgt Sherwood F. St. Clair, 35370438 (KIA, BR) Punxsutawny, PA Passenger Pvt Lyman W. Rivard, 16091906 (KIA, BR) Cadott, WI Passenger Sgt Robert L. Gardner, Jr., 14051284 (KIA, BR) Wilson, NC Crashed July 20, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Consolidated in San Diego. Constructors Number 1762. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-85-CO Liberator 42-40685. This bomber was ferried via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG) "Bomber Barons", 31st Bombardment Squadron (31st BS). No known nickname or nose art. Also known as #685 for the last three digits of the serial number. Mission History On July 20, 1943 took off from Espiritu Santo piloted by 1st Lt. Gordon T. Hall on a local training flight to practice formation flying and transition. The weather was ceiling and visibility unlimited (CAVU). Returning, crashed on Espiritu Santo. Wreckage The crash site of this bomber was found and cine film footage recorded of the wreckage. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of the crew were recovered. Postwar, the remains were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew were officially declared dead the day of the crash. On October 7, 1948 at 10:00am Hall was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park (Oakwood Cemetery) in Chatsworth, CA at section C lot 352. McCarthy is buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82 sites 210-211. He also has a memorial marker at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Anaconda, MT. Kauffman is buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82 sites 210-211. Cimikoski is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section B site 134. McClure is buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82 sites 210-211. Garay is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section A site 625. Dachowski is buried at Long Island National Cemetery at section H site 11006. Mahaney is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section A site 1021. Taylor is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section C site 1375. St. Clair is buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82 sites 210-211. Rivard is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section B site 645. Gardner is buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82 sites 210-211. References Note some sources incorrectly list the date of the crash as July 21, 1943. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Gordon T. Hall NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Franklin M. Kauffman NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John Cimikoski NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Arthur J. Garay NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Judson Taylor NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Lyman W. Rivard NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - X USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-85-CO Liberator 42-40685 The Van Nuys News "Lieut. Gordon T. Hall, Bomber Pilot, Gives All, in South Pacific" July 27,1943 page 1 Airstrip And Wrecked B-24 Espirito [sic Espiritu] Santo Island (Naval Photographic Center Film #4522) The Los Angeles Times "Services for Gordon Hall" October 6, 1948 page 27 FindAGrave - Gordon T. Hall (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - 2LT John P McCarthy (group burial photo) FindAGrave - LT John Patrick McCarthy (photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Franklin Monroe Kauffman (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt John Cimikoski (grave photo) FindAGrave - TSGT Robert W McClure Jr. (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Arthur J Garay (grave photo) FindAGrave - Emil J Dachowski (grave photo) FindAGrave - William J. Mahaney (obituary photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Judson Taylor (grave photo) FindAGrave - Pvt Lyman W Rivard (obituary photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - SGT Robert L Gardner Jr. (group burial photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-24 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
