|  |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 15th AF 450th BG 723rd BS  USAAF November 1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt Siguad J. Nilsson, O-670594 (survived) Co-Pilot 1st Lt. La June F. Wilk, O-661161 (survived) Navigator 2nd Lt. Ralph D. Shultz, O-690494 (survived) Pitcairn, PA Bombardier 2nd Lt. Charles A. Moliter, O-685088 (survived) Engineer TSgt James S. Ish, Jr., 39387260 (survived) Asst Engineer SSgt James P. Vaughn, 35423750 (survived) Radio TSgt Robert J. Waldrop, 38209621 (survived) Asst Radio SSgt Stanley I. Kyriakos, 16030605 (survived) Gunner SSgt Clyde Rubbell, 32079759 (survived) Gunner SSgt Robert F. Hahn, 32550510 (survived) Crashed February 22, 1944 at 1:35pm MACR 2832 Aircraft History Built by Ford at Air Force Plant 31 in Willow Run, Michigan. Constructors Number 878. On October 19, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24H-10-FO Liberator serial number 42-52161. Flown to Holman Airfield to the St. Paul / North West Airlines (NWA) Modification Center 12 with modification number 524 stenciled on the right side of the nose below the nose turret. On November 6, 1943 at Alamagordo Army Airfield and photographed in flight in the vicinity. On November 25, 1943 departs the United States bound for Italy. Wartime History Assigned to the 15th Air Force (15th AF), 450th Bombardment Group (450th BG), 723rd Bombardment Squadron (723rd BS). Nicknamed "Gremlin Gus". When lost, engines R-1830 serial numbers 301718, 301725, 301476, 301642. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers 1150814, 11511156, 1150082, 1157170, 1151524, 1152052, 1152175 and 1152091. Mission History On February 22, 1944 took off from Manduria Airfield in Puglia, Italy piloted by 1st Lt Siguad J. Nilsson on a bombing mission against Regensburg in Bavarian, Germany. The weather was solid overcast and the target was completely covered in clouds an unable to bomb. As the formation turned back towards base, this B-24 was observed having trouble keeping up with the formation, salvoed the bomb load and both bomb bay doors were torn off. Five minutes later at 1:35pm, one engine was feathered and lost airspeed. Another B-24 in the formation stayed closely until pilot Nilsson waved them off. Approximately five minutes later, the damaged bomber was intercepted by roughly ten Me-109 fighters and dropped in a cloud bank and was hit and observed in a dive with at least three of the crew bailing out and opening their parachutes in the vicinity of Vordernberg in Austria. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew In fact, the entire crew bailed out and were rescued and returned to duty. Memorials Shultz died March 8, 2018 at age 100 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He is buried at Lee Memorial Park in Verona, Mississippi in the Chapel of Faith Mausoleum. Waldrop died November 17, 1997 at age 76. He is buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, TX Hahn died June 12, 1997 at age 74. He is buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Ralls County in Missouri. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Siguad J. Nilsson NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ralph D. Shultz USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24H-10-FO Liberator 42-52161 A Pictorial of Alamogordo Army Air Base page 32 (photo) Missing Air Crew Report 2832 (MACR 2832) created February 28, 1944 FindAGrave - Ralph Dean Shultz (grave photo) FindAGrave - Robert J Waldrop (grave photo) FindAGrave - Robert F Hahn (grave photo) Thanks to Robert Livingstone for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated January 26, 2026 |
 B-24 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
