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| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 371st BS  371st BS 1945 |
Pilot 1st Lt. James W. Line, O-704935 (MIA / KIA) Findlay, OH Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Perry Verhage, O-770024 (MIA / KIA) Grand Rapids, MI Navigator 2nd Lt. John E. Norbeck, O-2057990 (MIA / KIA) Baraga, MI Bombardier 2nd Lt. Joseph E. Chandler, O-768936 (MIA / KIA) New Castle, IN Engineer TSgt Wiliam F. Hedges, 17086031 (MIA / KIA) Chicago, IL Assistant Engineer SSgt William E. Monahan III, 11136295 (MIA / KIA) Providence, RI Radio TSgt William D. Duplechain, 38486524 (MIA / KIA) Oakdale, LA Assistant Radio SSgt Robert G. Ashby, 18163229 (MIA / KIA) Tulsa, OK Gunner SSgt Harry G. Monette, 36881850 (MIA / KIA) Ingham County, MI Armorer/Gunner SSgt Louis J. Nicholas, 19167935 (MIA / KIA) Wink, TX Photographer Pvt Stephen Preslipsky, 33676658 (MIA / KIA) Dixonville, PA MIA February 27, 1945 MACR 12788 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated. Constructors Number 5112. At the factory completed with an aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-200-CO Liberator serial number 44-41176 with an unpainted metal finish. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG), 371st Bombardment Squadron (371st BS). Nicknamed "My Irish Colleen" with a girl seated holding a shamrock with Joe Origlio at the base of the shamrock, the artist from the 871st Airborne Engineers who painted the artwork inspired by Alberto Vargas. Nose number 176 the last three digits of the serial number. When lost, engines R-1830-65A serial numbers BP-442477, PB-442517, BP-442142 and BP-442457. Armed with ten .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On February 27, 1945 took off from Pitu Airfield (Pitoe) on Morotai piloted by James W. Line O-704935 on a bombing mission against Tarakan Airfield on Tarakan Island off northeast Borneo. Aboard was photographer Pvt Stephen Preslipsky. At 9:30am while flying inbound to the target at 8.000' in bad weather with poor visibility, bombardier 1st Lt Gerald L. Wigington aboard B-24J 44-40946 saw a red ball of fire very low that might have been this bomber crashing into the sea at roughly Lat 3° 26' Long 121° 00' north of Celebes (Sulawesi). When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search The next day, aircraft flying the same route the next day were ordered to search enroute without result. No search was conducted for this bomber due to a shortage of aircraft and lack of any specific position to search. 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. Line earned the Ari Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. Verhage earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart. Norbeck earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart. Chandler earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously. Hedges Monahan Duplechain Ashay McNette Nicholas Preslipsky References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-195-CO Liberator 44-41176 "41176 (307th BG) lost Feb 27, 1945. MACR 12788" Missing Air Crew Report 12788 (MACR 12788) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James W. Line FindAGrave - 1Lt James Wellington Line (photo, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Perry Verhage FindAGrave - 1Lt Perry Verhage (photo, tablets of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John E. Norbeck FindAGrave - John E. Norbeck (tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph E. Chandler FindAGrave - 1Lt Joseph E Chandler (photo, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wiliam F. Hedges FindAGrave - TSgt William F Hedges (photo, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William E. Monahan III FindAGrave - SSgt William H Monahan III (photo, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William D. Duplechain FindAGrave - TSgt William Dewey Duplechain (photo, news, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert G. Ashay FindAGrave - SSgt Robert Gale “Bobby” Ashby (photo, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Harry G. McNette FindAGrave - SSgt Harry G Monette (photo, tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Louis J. Nicholas FindAGrave - SSgt Louis J Nicholas (tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Stephen Preslipsky FindAGrave - Sgt Stephen Preslipsky (photo, tablets of the missing) B-24 Best Web - B-24J "My Irish Colleen" 44-41176 John Origlio adds: "My Brother, Joe Origlio (Artist), was with the 871st Airborne Engineers as a painter, and did artwork on the side. The art work was inspired by Alberto Vargas (Esquire Calendar - December 1942). My brother changed the Christmas theme and added the shamrock." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 16, 2025
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 B-24  Photo Archive Map Feb 27, 1945  MIA 11 Missing |
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