|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 403rd BS Former assignments 64th BS  43rd BG c1943  43rd BG c1943  43rd BG c1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Chester Lowe, O-528997 (KIA / BR) MacBeth, WV Co-Pilot MSgt George I Soptic (KIA / BR) Kansas City, MS Radio TSgt William E. Allen, Jr. (KIA / BR) Flushing, NY Engineer TSgt Farrel C. McMahon (KIA / BR) Chapman, NB Asst Engineer SSgt John D. Davies (KIA / BR) New York, NY Passenger SSgt James F. Svojtek (KIA / BR) San Mateo, CA Passenger TSgt Lyle W. Dorr (KIA / BR) La Fargeville, NY Passenger James Jollie, Jr., Honeywell Representative (KIA / BR) SC Passenger Captain John W. Moore (KIA / BR) Passenger Captain William H. Graham, O-902357 (KIA / BR) Omaha, NB Crashed March 20, 1944 at 3:00pm MACR 14982 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 2170. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-135-CO Liberator serial number 42-41093. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS). Nicknamed "The Dorothy Anne" in yellow on the left side of the nose. Later, the nose art of a woman was added with the nickname "Not In Stock". Also known as simply #903 (last three digits of the serial number). On November 5, 1943 took off from Dobodura Airfield on a search mission for B-24D 42-40972 that went Missing In Action (MIA) on an armed reconnaissance mission over night and returned with nil results. In total, this B-24 flew at least twenty bombing missions. Later, assigned to the 403rd Bombardment Squadron (403rd BS). When lost, engine serial numbers unknown. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On March 20, 1944 took off from 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Chester Lowe on a flight bound for Nadzab Airfield. Aboard were five crew and five passengers, including Mr. James Jollie, Jr., a civilian representative from Honeywell International Incorporated. This bomber was observed in a steep spiral dive before crashing at 3:00pm near Rouna Falls near Sogeri due to possible engine failure or other mechanical failure. An Australian observation post observed this B-24 to fall into a steep spiral dive resembling a spin for unknown reasons prior to crashing. On the ground, this B-24 crash was observed by members of the 1st Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) including Sgt Yates. Also, several people at the N. G. F. training school. Search At 3:45pm, a patrol from the 1st Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) followed a column of smoke rising from the impact to reach the crash site. The group consisted of 34 Papuan soldiers, 2 native medical orderlies, 1 Australian medical orderly, 4 Australian Sergeants led by Australian Lt. R. D. Newman. The group took stretchers, rations and departed by vehicle towards the site, then proceeded by foot and split up into two groups to search a wider area. One group proceeding through Uptanoon found a native who witnessed the crash and guided them, reaching the crash site by 7:00pm near Wyanumu. Simultaneously, and unaware of the PIB search, another group from the N.G.F. training school including Major Kent Hughes of 47 Australian Camp Hospital and a wireless set was also sent to search, but were unsuccessful and returned at dark. A follow up search on March 21 was also unsuccessful, unaware the plane had been found by another search group. Wreckage This B-24 impacted a large tree then fallen into a large sloping rock and slid down the rock, lodging itself against another rock and burned and scattered over an area of at least 200 yards. No survivors were found at the site, and suspect but burnt human remains were located, believed to be six crew members. The lower portion of a leg was found some distance away. The search was suspended at dark and the party setup camp along a nearby road and was joined by the other search party. On March 21, 1944 both groups continued to search the crash site. The bodies were still smoldering and too hot to touch and were left in place, to be recovered at a later date. The searchers recovered an identification folder with a photograph of technical representative James Jollie, Jr., aircraft identification tag, written orders and a wrist watch. The group departed and returned to their headquarters. The scattered remains were buried in a shallow grave and marked with a cross. Recovery of Remains During the afternoon of March 21, 1944, a team from US Army American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) met with the search group who provided details on the site and the materials collected. On March 22, 1944 another group including an Australian and 12 natives with the Americans return to the crash site to recover the remains of the crew. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. As the flight was non-combat, none of the crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. After the recovery of remains, the crew were transported to the United States for permanent burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 81, sites 301-302. Jollie has a memorial marker at Mayers Memorial Park in Mullins, SC. The epitaph reads: "In memory of James Jollie Jr. Oct. 25, 1913–Mar, 20, 1944 killed in plane crash in New Guinea while serving with 5th Air Forces 43rd Bombardment Group. The world may change from year to year, my life from day to day, but my love and memory of you dear shall never pass away." References Some sources incorrectly list the date of loss as March 20, 1945 [sic March 20, 1944] USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-135-CO Liberator 42-41093 "41093 (43rd BG, *Dorothy Anne*) lost Mar 20, 1945, SW Pacific. MACR 14982" PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 42-41093 Missing Air Crew Report 1069 (MACR 1069) created November 6, 1943 page 6 (Page 6) "3. At 1000/L/5 one B-24D-1, number 093 [B-24D 42-41093] from the 64th Bomb Sq (H), 43rd Bomb Gp (H), took off from Dobodura on search mission for the missing plane [B-24D 42-40972]. No trace of it was found." Missing Air Crew Report 14982 (MACR 14982) created March 23, 1944 FindAGrave - Chester Lowe (grave photo) FindAGrave - George I Soptic (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt William E. Allen, Jr (grave photos) FindAGrave - Farrell C McMahon (grave photo, news) FindAGrave - John David Davies (grave photo) FindAGrave - James F Svojtek (grave photo) FindAGrave - Lyle W Dorr (grave photo) FindAGrave - James Jollie (group burial photo) FindAGrave - James Jollie (memorial photos) FindAGrave - William H Graham (grave photo, news) FindAGrave - John W Moore (grave 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  MIA 10 Missing Resolved  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
