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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 65th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. George H Sager Jr., O-828341 (MIA / KIA, BR) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert M Keith (MIA / KIA, BR) Navigator 2nd Lt. Casimer F. Kurpaska (MIA / KIA, BR) Adams, MA Engineer James R Presson (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew SSgt Morris E. Holmes (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew SSgt Keith E. Abbott (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew Sgt Lawrence M. Moen (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew SSgt Al J. McGee (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew Sgt Jerome Stegman (MIA / KIA, BR) Clark County, KS Crew Sgt Alton R. Stickel (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew Cpl Salvatore Muscarella (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew Cpl Clair L. Peterson (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew Pfc John D. Ordowski (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew TSgt Thomas F. Sullivan (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew TSgt Harrold B Green (MIA / KIA, BR) Crew SSgt Jack L Kennady (MIA / KIA, BR) Crashed March 22, 1945 at 4:00pm MACR 15494 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 4837. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-185-CO Liberator serial number 44-40901. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 63th Bombardment Squadron (63rd BS). Nicknamed "Out of the Night". This bomber was painted overall black and equipped with radar for night search and bombing missions. When lost, engine serial numbers unknown. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On March 22, 1945 took off from Tacloban Airfield on Leyte piloted by 2nd Lt. George H Sager Jr. on a bombing mission against Alitao on the eastern edge of Mount Banahaw on southern Luzon. This bomber was last in contact by radio. At 4:00pm crashed into Mount Banahaw and was observed to explode twice and burn. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage In fact, this bomber crashed one kilometer northeast of Alitao. Recover of Remains After the crash site was located, the remains of the crew were recovered and later transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. On March 30, 1950 the entire crew was buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 79 sites 222-224 the date of death listed as March 24, 1945 [sic March 22,]. Afterwards, B-24M "Out of the Night II" 44-41809 was nicknamed in honor of this bomber until it crashed on June 12, 1945. Relatives Jeff Kurpaska (nephew Kurpaska) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-185-CO Liberator 44-40901 Missing Air Crew Report 15494 (MACR 15494) created retroactively FindAGrave - George H Sager Jr (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Robert M Keith (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Casimer F Kurpaska (group burial photo) FindAGrave - James R Presson (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Morris E Holmes (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Keith E Abbott (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Lawrence H Moen (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Al J McGee (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SGT Jerome Stegman (obituary, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Alton R Stickel (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Salvatore Muscarella (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Clair L Peterson (group burial photo) FindAGrave - John D. Ordowski (group burial photo) FindAGrave - TSGT Thomas F Sullivan (group burial photo) FindAGrave - TSGT Harrold B Green (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Jack L Kennady (group burial photo) Ken’s Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume II: October 1943 to 1945 B-24 Era (2019) mentions this loss "Out Of The Night" by Jeff Kurpaska Thanks to Jeff Kurpaska 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 October 14, 2024
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