|
 |
|
|
| 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 380th BG 531st BS    380th c1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt Leo M. Jennings, O-742582 529th BS (MIA / KIA) Berkeley, CA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Robert Walls, O-684582 529th BS (MIA /KIA) Callahan County, TX Navigator 1st Lt Douglas W. Head, O-685605 529th BS (MIA / KIA) NM Bombardier 1st Lt John D. Ennis, O-679615 529th BS (MIA / KIA) Buffalo, NY Engineer TSgt John M. Laster, 6390425 529th BS (MIA / KIA) Memphis, TN Radio TSgt Philip L. Mercier, 20106915 529th BS (MIA / KIA) Chicopee, MA Assist. Engineer SSgt Robert R. Lansing, 15331198 529th BS (MIA / KIA) Byer, IN Assist. Radio SSgt Horace J. Cooper, 13091380 529th BS (MIA / KIA) New Freedom, PA Gunner SSgt Howard W. Gross, 39311686 529th BS (MIA / KIA) North Bend, OR Gunner SSgt Clarence H. Bieber, 37433517 529th BS (MIA / KIA) Lakefield, MN Crashed March 8, 1944 at 12:25 MACR 3309 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego between July 7-15, 1943. Constructors Number 2302. On July 20, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-150-CO Liberator serial number 42-41225. On September 12, 1943 departs Fairfield-Suisun Airfield on a ferry flight overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. On September 17, 1943 arrives Garbutt Field. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 380th Bombardment Group (380th BG) "The Flying Circus", 531st Bombardment Squadron (531st BS) at Long Field. Nicknamed "Sunshine I" with artwork of a devil holding a pitch fork, reclining on a bomb on each side of the nose. Also known as 225 for the last three digits of the serial number. Assigned to crew chief MSgt Daniel J. Bagley and mechanic Sgt Walter C. Schwerin. On November 22, 1943 took off on a mission (FEN III-29) piloted by Lasko with crew no. 85 on its first combat mission, a strike against the Morotai Strait. In total, this bomber flew 16 missions from Australia and New Guinea. When lost, engines R-1830-65 serial numbers: A) 42-90028 8) 42-9043 C) 42-07912 0) 42-39888. Aboard were .50 caliber machine guns with serial number listed in Missing Air Crew Report 3309 (MACR 3309). Mission History On March 8, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Leo M. Jennings with crew no. 33 on bombing mission (mission 68-I) against Dagua Airfield near Wewak. The entire crew were from the 529th Bombardment Squadron (529th BS). Over the target at 12:10pm, intercepted by 30-35 Japanese fighters including Zekes [sic Ki-43 Oscars] and Ki-61 Tonys. At roughly 12:30pm this bomber was observed with the no. 3 and no. 4 engines burning and dropped behind the formation to the left with black smoke coming from the top turret. The damaged bomber salvoed their bombs and went down in a steep glide towards the sea, apparently under control then disappeared into a cloud and was lost from sight and was followed down by three enemy fighters at roughly Lat 3.30 Long 143.30 west of Kairuru Island off the north coast of New Guinea. Three of the crew were seen to bail out and their parachutes open but their landings were obscured by clouds. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew If three or more of the crew bailed out, their fates are unknown. None of the crew were reported as official Prisoners Of War (POW) of the Japanese, but this was not uncommon for prisoners captured in forward areas that were never reported and executed. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 25, 1946. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Jennings earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Walls earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Ross Cemetery in Baird, TX at S-H-8-25-6. Head earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at memorial section F. Head also has a memorial marker at Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces, NM at section 9, block 8, plot 8. Ennis earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Laster earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Mercier earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Lansing earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Cooper earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Shrewsbury, PA. Gross earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, posthumously. Bieber earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, posthumously. Matt Parson adds: "In 2014, I volunteered for the South Park High School (SPHS) 100th Anniversary Celebration committee and had an opportunity to research the accomplishments of former students. While doing this, I became more aware of and interested in former students who had lost their lives in service, from World War I through the Iraq War. I’m researching former students from South Park High School in Buffalo, NY who lost their lives in service including John D. Ennis." References Note, MACR 3309 lists the target as Dagua Airfield while 380th BG lists the target as Boram Airfield near Wewak. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Leo M. Jennings NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert Wall NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John D. Ennis NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John M. Laster NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Philip L. Mercier NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert R. Lansing NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Howard W. Gross USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-150-CO Liberator 42-41225 "41225 (480th BG) lost Mar 8, 1944, SW Pacific. MACR 3309" NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File does not list any of the crew crew as official prisoners of Japan, but this was not uncommon for POW captured in forward areas that were never reported and executed. Missing Air Crew Report 3309 (MACR 3309) created March 10, 1944 380th BG Association - B-24D "Sunshine" 42-41225 Data Sheet 380th BG Association - B-24D "Sunshine I" 42-41225 Mission Record RAAF Casualty Card - Liberator B-24D 42-41225 "ENGINES: TYPE R-1830-65 AAF Serial Nos (a) 42-90028 (b) 42-9043 (c) 42-07912 (d) 42-39888. Departed Nadzab on bomb strike to Dagua. Last sighted at 03.30S, 143.30E. Three members were seen to parachute from aircraft but their landing was obscured by cloud." NAA "Liberator Missing" page 17 RAAF Searcher Brief - no record exist for this aircraft PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 42-41225 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leo M. Jennings American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert Walls American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Douglas W. Head American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John D. Ennis American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John M. Laster American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Philip L. Mercier American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert R. Lansing American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Horace J. Cooper American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Howard W. Gross American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clarence H. Bieber FindAGrave - 1Lt Leo M Jennings (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt Robert Walls (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Robert Walls (photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Douglas W Head (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Douglas W. Head (photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt John D Ennis (photos, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - TSgt John M Laster (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Philip L Mercier (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Horace J Cooper (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Horace J Cooper (photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Howard W Gross (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Clarence H Bieber (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Douglas W Head (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Douglas W. Head (memorial marker Arlington photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Douglas Wilford Head (photo, memorial marker Masonic Cemetery) listed as POW [sic MIA] FindAGrave - Horace J Cooper (photos, memorial 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  Map March 8, 1944  Photo Archive  MIA 10 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
