|
 |
|
|
| 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 65th BS |
Aircraft History Built by Consolidated. Constructors Number 4309. At the factory completed with an aluminum finish. On March 27, 1944 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-160-CO Liberator serial number 44-40373. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) arriving on May 17, 1944 and further modified in Australia. Wartime History During late May 1944, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) "Ken's Men", 65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS) "The Lucky Dicers" at Nadzab Airfield. Although not assigned to a specific pilot, often flown by pilot 1st Lt. Morris Petty with co-pilot 2nd Lt. Horace V. Petty. Although the pilots had the same surname they were not related. The right side of the nose had the nickname "Petty Gal" in white with a red shadow on the lower edge. The nose art was a full moon at night with a nude brunette woman standing near a palm tree on the beach inside a rectangle. The woman represented 1st Petty's wife and 2nd Lt. Petty's girlfriend. The nose art was painted by George Petty who was not related either of the pilots. Below the pilot window was a rectangular scoreboard with rows of red bombs indicating missions flown and two Japanese flags indicating aircraft claimed by gunners. The tail had a pair of red dice with white pips 4+3 the motif of the 65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS). On June 22, 1944 took off piloted by Burghoff on a bombing mission over Palau. On June 26, 1944 bombs Namber on Noemfoor Island. In the middle of 1944, "Ken's Men" the nickname of the 43rd Bombardment Group was added to the left side of the nose. The tail motif dice color were reversed to white dice with red pips. The tail rudder was painted with red and white stripes with a blue edge. The tail had stenciled "440373" serial number was a pair of red dice with white pips 4+3 the motif of the 65th Bombardment Squadron. Below was a large "373" the last three digits of the serial number. On July 1, 1944 bombs Kamiri on Noemfoor Island. On July 2, 1944 bombs Kornasoren on Noemfoor Island. On July 11, 1944 moves with the squadron to Owi Airfield. On July 23, 1944 bombs Otawari on western New Guinea. On July 30, 1944 bombs Boela on Seram (Ceram). On July 31, 1944 bombs Galela on Halmahera Island. On August 23, 1944 bombs Lolobata on Halmahera Island. On September 7, 1944 bombs Menado on Celebes (Sulawesi). On September 8, 1944 bombs Langoan on Celebes (Sulawesi). On September 9, 1944 bombs Mapanget on Celebes (Sulawesi). On September 10, 1944 again bombs Mapanget. On September 12, 1944 bombs Langoan on Celebes (Sulawesi). On September 14, 1944 bombs Mapanget on Celebes (Sulawesi). On September 15, 1944 bombs Kaoe on Halmahera Island. On September 19, 1944 bombs Amoerang (Amurang) on Celebes (Sulawesi). On September 20, 1944 bombs Sidate on Celebes (Sulawesi). On September 23, 1944 again bombs Sidate. On November 23, 1944 moves with the squadron to Tacloban Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines. On March 16, 1945 moves with the squadron to Clark Field on Luzon. Mission History On May 18, 1945 took off from Clark Field on Luzon piloted by 1st Lt. Rudolph J. Cherkauer on a bombing mission over Tainan Airfield on Formosa (Taiwan). Over the target, B-24J 44-42358 pilot 1st Lt. James J. Franklin was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded. This bomber was flying at the right wing and was riddled with debris and shrapnel that knocked out one engine and damaged the no. 2 engine. Aboard four of the crew were injured. Also damaged was B-24J "Smitty Jr." 42-109864 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles H. Wilt and managed to reach the sea and the crew bailed out. Flying on only two engines, the crew threw out as much equipment and their machine guns to lighten the damaged bomber. Loosing altitude, the pilots were forced to restart the damaged no. 2 engine that was able to generate half power and allowed them to return to Lingayen Airfield on Luzon. On the ground the bomber had over 250 holes from the explosion and anti-aircraft fire. Afterwards, towed to the boneyard area and used for spare parts and scrapped. Memorials Cherkauer passed away on April 24, 2021 at age 99. He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore, NY. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-160-CO Liberator 44-40364 Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 212 (photo), 230 (Profile No. 15), 237 (Profile No. 15 detail), 287-288 (May 18, 1945), 289 (photo), 376 (65th BS, 44-40373), 391 (photos), 414-415 (Profile No. 15 description), 456 (index Petty Gal) FindAGrave - Rudolph James Cherkauer (photo) Ken's Men 43rd Bomb Group October 2022 Issue: 162 pages 12-17 (Mail Call, Cont Francis Gariepy) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 B-24 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
