Wartime History
Assigned to the 13th Air Force, 5th Bombardment Group, 72nd Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Fuzzy Wuzzy".

Mission History
On March 30, 1944 took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville piloted by F/O La Verne V. David flying via Nissian Airfield (Green) to refuel before taking off again on a bombing mission against Moen Island in Truk. Last seen 12:47pm entering severe weather at approximately 7°  10' N and 152° E between Torokina and Green Island. When this B-24 failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 27, 1946. Each crew member earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

David also has a memorial marker at Calvary Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids, WA at section 9B.

Gove also has a memorial maker at Evergreen Cemetery in Leominster, MA at section 10, lot 317.

Joshua also has a memorial maker at Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in West Chester, PA.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-95-CO Liberator 42-40752
"40752 (5th BG) lost Mar 30, 1944. MACR 9146"
Missing Air Crew Report 9146 (MACR 9146)
Lunenburg Man Missing 2 Years Is Listed Dead
"Sgt Kenneth B Gove of the American Air Force, son of Mr and Mrs Lester H Gove of Lunenburg, reported missing in action March 30 1944 is presumed to be dead as of Jan 27 1946, according to word received from war department by his parents yesterday. Sgt Gove was on a mission to Truk island when he was reported missing and no further word has been received since that time concerning his whereabouts. A graduate of Lunenburg High School in 1940, the late Sgt Gove enlisted June 17 1942 and took the glider course at the airport. He graduated from the Arizona nery school and served overseas in the Pacific theater. His family has received the Air Medal which he was awarded for meritorious achievement while assistant aerial radio operator from March 13 to 21 1944 on flights of a hazardous nature in which opposition was met. A brother, PFC Herbert Gove, is now in the Pacific area stationed on Luzon."
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - La Verne V. David
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph L. Thomas
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George F. Maier
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William J. Rodgers
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Oscar R. Tiffin
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles L. Sweet, Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas F. Lane
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Kenneth C. Gove
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ernest J. Sheen
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joshua B. Walton
FindAGrave - 2Lt LaVerne V David (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - LaVerne V. David (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - FltOff Joseph L Thomas (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - George F. Maier (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - William J. Rodgers (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Oscar R “Jack” Tiffin (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Oscar “Jack” Tiffin (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Charles L Sweet, Jr (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Thomas F Lane (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Kenneth C Gove (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - SGT Kenneth C Gove (obituary, memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Ernest Jay Sheen (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Joshua B. Walton (tablets of the missing photo, memorial marker photo)

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Last Updated
October 14, 2024