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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 372nd BS |
Pilot 1st
Lt. Ulna H. Sylor, O-803306 (MIA / KIA) Dansville, NY Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Sam Camp Jr., O-696746 (MIA / KIA) Decatur, IL Navigator 1st Lt. Joseph S. Principe, O-689581 (MIA / KIA) Long Island City, NY Bombardier 1st Lt Walter C. Rowan, O-673904 (MIA / KIA) Hansel Park, MI Engineer T/Sgt Michael G. Vetrecin, Jr., 15320307 (MIA / KIA) Youngstown, OH Asst. Engineer S/Sgt Ruben O. Miller, 15323660 (MIA / KIA) Canton, OH Radio T/Sgt Francis R. Keefe, 11116730 (MIA / KIA) Auburndale, MA Asst Radio S/Sgt William W. Waters, Jr., 18168122 (MIA / KIA) Pine Bluff, AR Gunner S/Sgt James M. Hitchcock, 39256020 (MIA / KIA) Pomona, CA Gunner S/Sgt Clarence W. Dickerson, 35442185 (MIA / KIA) Oak Hill, WV Observer F/O Charles J. Harder, T-124507 (MIA / KIA) Milwaukee, WI Crashed July 15, 1944 at 12:20pm MACR 6923 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. At the factory completed with an aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-170-CO Liberator serial number 44-40555. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field to then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG), 372nd Bombardment Squadron (372nd BS). No known nose art or nickname. Known as "555", for the last three digits of the serial number. When lost, engines R-1830-65A serial numbers BP-440031, BP-439965, BP-439987 and BP-437737. Weapon serial numbers unknown. Mission History On July 15, 1944 took off from Mokerang Airfield on Los Negros Island piloted by 1st Lt. Ulna H. Sylor on a bombing mission against Yap Island. The weather was a high overcast with alto stratus clouds at 15,000' and .2 low cumulus with tops at 3,000' and visibility of 1-2 miles. Ten minutes before reaching the target, the formation was intercepted with a attacking Zero from 2 o'clock high. After the attack, B-24J 42-73119 was seen to fall off to the left and come down directly on top of this B-24. Both bombers burst into flames hanging together for several seconds before breaking up. Both B-24s impacted the sea close together at roughly Lat 9° 8' N Long 138° 17' E roughly 5-8 miles south of Yap Island. The impact and crash were observed by several crew members aboard several other bombers in the formation. When both bomber failed to return, their crews were officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials The entire crew was declared dead on the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Sylor earned the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Camp earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Principe earned the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, posthumously. Rowan earned the Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, posthumously. Vetrecin earned the Air Medal with 11 Gold Stars and Purple Heart, posthumously. Miller earned the Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Keefe earned the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Waters earned the Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Hitchcock earned the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Dickerson earned the Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously. Harder earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J 44-40555 "40555 (307th BG) collided with 42-73119 over Yap atoll Jul 15, 1944. MACR 6923 and 6924" Missing Air Crew Report 6923 (MACR 6923) created July 17, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission - Ulna H. Sylor American Battle Monuments Commission - Sam Camp Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission - Joseph S. Principe American Battle Monuments Commission - Walter C. Rowan American Battle Monuments Commission - Michael G. Vetrecin Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission - Ruben O. Miller American Battle Monuments Commission - Francis R. Keefe American Battle Monuments Commission - William W. Waters, Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission - James M. Hitchcock American Battle Monuments Commission - Clarence W. Dickerson American Battle Monuments Commission - Charles J. Harder FindAGrave - 1Lt Ulna H Sylor (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2Lt Samuel Arthur Camp, Jr (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Joseph S Principe (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt Walter C Rowan (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - TSgt Michael G Vetrecin, Jr (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - TSgt Francis R Keefe (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt William W Waters, Jr (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt James M Hitchcock (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Clarence W Dickerson (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - FltOff Charles J Harder (tablets of the missing) Missing Air Crew - Yap Island Mission Loss—15 July 1944 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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