Pacific Wrecks - B-24D-150-CO "Sunshine I" Serial Number 42-41225

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B-24D-150-CO "Sunshine I" Serial Number 42-41225

USAAF
5th AF
380th BG
531st BS

380th c1944

Pilot 1st Lt Leo M. Jennings, O-742582 (MIA / KIA) Berkeley, CA
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Robert Walls, O-684582 (MIA /KIA) Callahan County, TX
Navigator 1st Lt Douglas W. Head, O-685605 (MIA / KIA) NM
Bombardier 1st Lt John D. Ennis, O-679615 (MIA / KIA) Buffalo, NY
Engineer T/Sgt John M. Laster, 6390425 (MIA / KIA) Memphis, TN
Radio T/Sgt Philip L. Mercier, 20106915 (MIA / KIA) Chicopee, MA
Assist. Engineer S/Sgt Robert R. Lansing, 15331198 (MIA / KIA) Byer, IN
Assist. Radio S/Sgt Horace J. Cooper, 13091380 (MIA / KIA) New Freedom, PA
Gunner S/Sgt Howard W. Gross, 39311686 (MIA / KIA) North Bend, OR
Gunner S/Sgt Clarence H. Bieber, 37433517 (MIA / KIA) Lakefield, MN
Crashed March 8, 1944 at 12:25
MACR 3309

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 2302. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) B-24D-150-CO Liberator serial number 42-41225. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 380th Bombardment Group, 531st Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Sunshine I" with artwork of a devil holding a pitch fork, reclining on a bomb. 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 pilot 1st Lt Leo M. Jennings on a bomb mission against Dagua Airfield near Wewak. The entire crew were members of the 529th Bombardment Squadron. This bomber was last sighted at approximately Lat 3.30 Long 143.30 with the engines on fire over the Wewak area. Three of the crew were seen to parachute from the aircraft but their landing was obscured by clouds.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 25, 1946. The entire crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Walls also has a memorial marker at Ross Cemetery in Baird, TX at S-H-8-25-6.
Head also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at memorial section F.
Cooper also has a memorial marker at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Shrewsbury, PA.

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."

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Last Updated
February 18, 2020

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