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| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 424th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt William E. Francis, Jr., O-793754 (MIA / KIA) Jackson, TN Co-Pilot 1st Lt Joseph J. Slater, O-748819 (MIA / KIA) Cohoes, NY Bombardier 1st Lt Robert W. Bjornholm, O-676339 (MIA / KIA) Quincy, MA Navigator 1st Lt. John W. Geiger, Jr., O-673142 (MIA / KIA) Flushing, NY Engineer TSgt Robert L. Taberski, 35259464 (MIA / KIA) South Ben, IN Asst Engineer SSgt William H. Landacre, 16015110 (MIA / KIA) Chicago, IL Radio TSgt Richard W. Krueger, 33447184 (MIA / KIA) Washington, DC Asst Radio SSgt Adrian T. McKinney, 35508069 (MIA / KIA) Cogswell, KY Gunner SSgt Robert E Brink, 13093672 (MIA / KIA) Eagles Mere, PA Gunner SSgt Richard L. Haskins, 14080691 (MIA / KIA) Lake Hamilton, FL MIA March 29, 1944 at 2:00pm MACR 3738 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated in San Diego. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-50-CO Liberator serial number 42-73466. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field to the South Pacific. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG) "Long Rangers", 424th Bombardment Squadron (424th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On March 29, 1944 took off from Munda Airfield on New Georgia piloted by 1st Lt William E. Francis, Jr. as one of nineteen participating in the 307th Bombardment Group's first daylight mission against Dublon Island, Moen Island and Eten Airfield on Eten Island in Truk. This bomber first flew to Torokina Airfield on Bougainville and was armed with bombs then departing bound for Nissian Airfield (Green) to refueled before taking off again targeting Eten Airfield on Eten Island in Truk. Over the target, formation was intercepted by 75-90 aggressive enemy fighters for an hour. Eyewitness accounts reported seeing this bomber's no. 3 engine on fire then flames in the waist compartment. At least four of the crew were observed to bail out, and a fifth crew member exited the plane either without a parachute or his failed to open. The bomber was observed to make a controlled water landing at roughly 5° 34' N - 152° 11' E, none of the crew were observed exiting the bomber. The parachutist and bomber were strafed by the attacking enemy fighters. The B-24 remained afloat for about 30 seconds then sank into the open sea. When this B-24 failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search Afterwards, COMAIRSOLS made an intensive search for any surviving members of the crew, but none were found. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Francis earned the Silver Star, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is also memorialized on a plaque at the St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jackson, TN. Slater earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Bjornholm earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. Geiger earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Taberski earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Landacre earned the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Memorial Park Cemetery in Clinton, IN. Krueger earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. McKinney earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Brink earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hughesville, PA. Haskins earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Relatives Andrea Simpkins (great niece of Haskins) John W. Geiger (nephew of Geiger) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-50-CO Liberator 42-73466 "73466 lost Mar 29, 1944, Etean [sic] Island, South Pacific. MACR 3738" Missing Air Crew Report 3738 (MACR 3738) created March 31, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission - 1st Lt William E. Francis, Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission - Joseph J. Slater American Battle Monuments Commission - Robert W. Bjornholm American Battle Monuments Commission - John W. Geiger, Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission - Robert L. Taberski American Battle Monuments Commission - William H. Landacre American Battle Monuments Commission - Richard W. Krueger American Battle Monuments Commission - Adrian T. McKinney American Battle Monuments Commission - Robert E. Brink American Battle Monuments Commission - Richard L. Haskins FindAGrave - 1Lt William E Francis, Jr (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt Joseph J Slater (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt Robert W Bjornholm (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt John William “Jack” Geiger, Jr (photo) FindAGrave - TSgt Robert L Taberski (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt William Harold Landacre (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Harold Landacre (memorial marker) FindAGrave - TSgt Richard W Krueger (photo, news, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Adrian T McKinney (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Adrian Turner McKinney (memorial marker photo) date of death incorrectly listed as March 28, 1944 FindAGrave - SSgt Robert E Brink (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Robert Elton Brink (memorial marker) FindAGrave - SSgt Richard L Haskins (tablets of the missing photo) WWII Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon (2001) page 173 Thanks to Andrea Simpkins for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? 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