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| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 65th BS  USAAF 1942 |
Pilot 2nd Lt Francis D. Brechak, O-888720 (KIA, BR) Miami County, OH Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ambrose F. Broughton Jr, O-799725 (KIA, BR) Boston, MA Navigator 2nd Lt Lawrence B. Studley, O-804896 (KIA, BR) NY Bombardier 2nd Lt Philmore H. Green Jr., O-734894 (KIA, BR) Boyne City, MI Engineer T/Sgt Robert H. Shaw, 39309364 (KIA, BR) Spokane, OR Assist. Engineer SSgt Gerald B. Brown, 35368089 (KIA, BR) IN Radio SSgt Ralph G. Reed, 15335853 (KIA, BR) Wabash County, IL Assist. Radio SSgt Thomas S. Freeman, 37231081 (KIA, BR) London, Canada Gunner SSgt Henry J. Kaufmann, 19145917 (KIA, BR) Colman, SD Gunner SSgt Floyd I. Wise, 37259917 (KIA, BR) IA Crashed November 22, 1943 MACR 1221 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego. Constructors Number 2152. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-130-CO Liberator serial number 42-41075. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving August 25, 1943. Wartime History During October 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R1830-43 serial numbers: 4288748, 4288750, 4288718 and 4288857. Mission History On November 22, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Francis D. Brechak on a bombing mission against Agur Island near Gasmata on southern New Britain. At noon, the formation bombed and encountered no enemy opposition. Returning, the formation encountered clouds from 5,000' to 20,000' over the Salamaua area. When the formation entered clouds, this B-24 was seen banking sharply to the right and left formation, likely disoriented in clouds. At 12:45pm this bomber radioed it was over Morobe Harbor and said it was trying to rejoin the formation. When this bomber failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search Afterwards, a search was flown by B-24 piloted by Stephens searched for the missing bomber flying at low level from Salamaua to Mt. Yule. During the flight, navigator 1st Lt. Richard W. Cooper spotted several flashes from mirrors aimed at the plane when flying over the Kunimaipa Valley in the Highlands of New Guinea. Wreckage On December 8, 1943 the crash site was found in the Owen Stanley Range by locals and Father A. Wendling from the Catholic Mission at Kerau. Recovery of Remains Locals and Father A. Wendling recovered the remains of the crew and found the identification tag of Lawrence Studley. After the recovery of remains, the crew was given a Christian burial at the Catholic Mission at Kerau. During March 1944, they were exhumed and transported to Port Moresby for burial. In August 1945, the crew were transported to Ipswich Cemetery in Australia. Later, transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Six of the crew are buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Brown at plot A row 0 grave 942. Reed at plot A row 0 grave 37. Shaw at plot B row 0 grave 1090. Shaw at plot B row 0 grave 1090. Broughton at plot A row 0 grave 72. Freeman at plot A row 0 grave 275. Brechak is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, OH at section 5, lot 424 grave 1. Freeman is also memorialized on a plaque at the Kansas Supreme Court in the Topeka State Capitol. Brechak is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Kettering, OH at section 5, lot 424. Studley is buried at Long Island National Cemetery at plot H, grave 9534. Green is buried at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Boyne City, MI. Kaufmann is buried at Saint Michaels Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD at section 3. Wise is buried at Oto Cemetery in Oto, IA. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Francis D. Brechak NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ambrose F. Broughton Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Philmore H. Green Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert H. Shaw NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ralph G. Reed NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Henry J. Kaufmann USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-130-CO Liberator 42-41075 Missing Air Crew Report 1221 (MACR 1221) created November 23, 1943 Missing Air Crew Report 1015 (MACR 1015) created October 19, 1943 for B-24D "Sky Lady" 41-24043 (page 3) "Jaunary 16, 1944 I received a letter from the Catholic Priest, Fr. A. Wendling, Kerau Mission to Yule Island, Port Moresby New Guinea which stated: 'Dec 8th 1943 I recieved wrd another B-24 had crashed close to the same locality you [crew of B-24D "Sky Lady" 41-24043] crashed. I invetigated & found the wreckage & the bodies - all killed. The only identification I could find was the identification tag - Lawrence Studley which I forwarded to your headquarters.' Father Wendling also wrote that he buried the bodies and Christian services were held for them the morning of the burial." FindAGrave - Lt Francis D Brechak (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Ambrose F Broughton, Jr (grave photo) FindAGrave - Lawrence B Studley (grave photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Philmore Hutchison Green, Jr (photos, grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Robert H Shaw (grave photo) FindAGrave - Gerald B Brown (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Ralph G Reed (grave photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Thomas S Freeman (grave photo, memorial photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Henry J. Kaufmann, Jr (grave photo) FindAGrave - Floyd I. Wise (grave photo) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 42-41075 Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 41 (November 22, 1943), 353 (November 22, 1943 crew list), 375 (65th BS, 42-41075), 441 (index Brechak) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 27, 2026 |
 B-24  Map November 22, 1943 |
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