|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 13th AF 868th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Gordon E. Brums, O-709764 (MIA / KIA, BR) Sigourney, IA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Anthony Slabis, O-711809 (MIA / KIA, BR) Melrose Park, IL Navigator 2nd Lt. Leslie W. Jacobs, O-2056602 (POW, executed February 15, 1945, BR) Akron, OH Bombardier 2nd Lt. Wayne P. Ruth, O-718022 (MIA / KIA, BR) Reading, PA Engineer Cpl Frank J. Molinari, 32967255 (WIA / POW, executed, February 15, 1945, BR) Brooklyn, NY Asst Engineer Cpl George Krisfalusi, 35064799 (MIA / KIA, BR) Cleveland, OH Radio Cpl Herman F. Marquardt, Jr., 36815437 (MIA / KIA, BR) Spring Valley, WI Asst Radio Sgt James W. Hagerty, 13167406 (POW, executed February 15, 1945, BR) Youngstown, OH Gunner Cpl Kenneth C. Dague, 36417827 (MIA / KIA, BR) Marion, MI Gunner Cpl Fred L. Lenney, Jr., 19181699 (MIA / KIA, BR) Los Angeles, CA Crashed January 12, 1945 MACR 12251 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated. Constructors Number 5014. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-195-CO Liberator serial number 44-41078. Converted into a radar equipped SB-24 Liberator for use on night "snooper" missions. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 868th Bombardment Squadron (868th BS) "Snooper Squadron". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R1830-65A serial numbers: BP-440730, BP-440890, BP-440905 ad BP-440873. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 12251 (MACR 12251). Mission History On January 12, 1945 took off from Pitu Airfield on Morotai Island piloted by 2nd Lt. Gordon E. Brums on a mission against Sanga Sanga. In fact, this bomber crashed roughly six miles from Anggana on the eastern coast of Borneo. Seven of the crew died in the crash. When this bomber failed to return, the entire crew was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA) between Borneo and Morotai. Search On January 13, 1945 two B-24s from the 868th Bombardment Squadron took off from Morotai at 2:51pm piloted by Captain Smith and Major Kendrick on a mission to search for the missing bomber. Also, Catalina "Playmate 41" from the 5230th Rescue Group was patrolling and on standby to investigate any sightings and also searched from Morotai to Sanga Sanga. In addition, the 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) was advised to be on the lookout for this bomber as they flew a bombing mission over the same area that day. There were nil sightings by any of these search aircraft. Fates of the Crew Three of the crew bailed out and survived: Jacobs, Molinari and Hagerty. One of them was badly wounded in the right arm. Afterwards, all three were arrested by native police and taken to Anggana and were later arranged by Japanese Lt. Commander Shimoyama, the force commander. Afterwards, they were sent to Samarinda and handed over to the Keibetai (Naval Special Police), two were transported by barge and the third arrived four days later. All three were detained at the Keibetai office in separate cells and each day were taken out for interrogations and beaten for about six hours at a time over a one month period. During the Americans detention, a Chinese man named Lo Sioe Hong (also known as Lo Hong) who was himself arrested by the Japanese and forced to work at the office gave food, cigarettes, pencil and paper plus water to the three crew members, at great risk to himself and his own safety. In the middle of February 1945, the Keibetai commander of the Samarinda detachment of the Keibitai (Naval Special Police), Lt(jg) Yamaguchi Sentaro ordered the execution of the three prisoners, without reference to a higher authority. During the night of February 15, 1945 all three were taken to a spot 300 yards from the office and executed using a sword by Ensign Tasuki Kiyato, Supperior Private Suguhara Isaburo and Warrant Officer Tsuda Kiziro. Others aware of the execution included guards PO2c Tameichi Nishida, Chuso Oku and Shinkichi Wada, civilian interpreter Keiichi Okada. Also Kinroku Nagata who was at the office when the execution happened. Afterwards, the bodies of all three were buried in a group burial roughly 60 yards from the Keibetai office. Postwar, all these individuals were detained at the war criminal compound at Balikpapan and were interrogated about their roles and the location of the grave. Recovery of Remains On September 21, 1945 an Australian Army, 7th Division working party led by Captain Louis C. A. Ariotti, NX200465 from the 2/4 Field Ambulance with Sgt Owen and Sgt Allen plus a working party of Japanese Prisoners Of War (POWs) recovered the remains of the crew. After the recovery of remains, three were buried with a memorial service and cross at Samarinda. At the time, the identity of the three was unknown. Later, exhumed again and reinterned at the Australian War Cemetery at Balikpapan. Wreckage This B-24 crashed into rain forest with heavy undergrowth about six miles from Anggana on the eastern coast of Borneo. The bomber was scattered over a 100 yard square area with most of the fuselage sunk into the mud. After the crash, the site was visited by Indonesians Catjonj and Hamaid, who recovered a RAF silk map of the Celebes, Amboina and Halmahera and North Celebes plus one speedometer instrument. Postwar, these items were turned over to the Australian Army. On October 19, 1945 a patrol from the Australian Army, 7th Division led by Sgt Harold Brokenshire, Field Security Section with Catjonj and Hamaid visited the crash site. During their visit, they found the wreckage overgrown and no evidence of fire. The team failed to identify the aircraft or find any traces of the crew. Memorials Six were declared dead January 12, 1945: Bruns, Dague, Krisfalusi, Lenney, Marquardt, Ruth and Slabis. Three were declared dead February 15, 1945: Hagerty, Jacobs and Molinari. After the recovery of the remains of the crew, they were transported to the United States for permanent burial. The entire crew was buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery section 82 site 103C. Bruns, Dague, Krisfalusi, Lenney, Marquardt, Ruth, Slabis, Hagerty, Jacobs and Molinari. Bruns also has a memorial marker at Conner Cemetery in Sigourney, Iowa. Dague also has a memorial marker at Blue Creek Cemetery in Haviland, OH. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-195-CO Liberator 44-41078 "41078 (868th BS) lost Jan 12, 1945, SW Pacific. MACR 12251" Missing Air Crew Report 12251 (MACR 12251) report date January 13, 1945 NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File does not list the three crew who were taken prisoner: Jacobs, Molinari are not listed as offical Prisoners Of War (POWs) of the Japanese. This is not uncommon for Allied prisoners captured in forward areas that were never officially reported. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Casualty Card - B-24 44-41078 Australian Army, 7th Division "Investigating Officers Report - Events and circumstances leading to the execution of three U.S. Airmen at Samarina February 1945, and other information on the case." FindAGrave - Gordon E Bruns (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Gordon E Bruns (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Anthony Slabis (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Leslie W Jacobs (group burial photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Wayne P Ruth (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Frank J. Molinari (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - CPL George Krisfalusi (group burial photo) FindAGrave - CPL Herman F Marquardt, Jr (group burial photo) FindAGrave - James W Hagerty (group burial photo) FindAGrave - CPL Kenneth C Dague (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Kenneth C. Dague (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Fred L Lenney, Jr (group burial photo) WW2 Nominal Roll - Harold Brokenshire WW2 Nominal Roll - Louis Charles Anthony Ariotti Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-24  MIA 3 Prisoners 7 Missing Resolved |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
