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| USAAF 13th AF 307th BG 371st BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Kenneth C. Sanderson, O-886170 (survived) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Loren B. Corliss, O-713355 (survived) Labette County, KS Navigator 2nd Lt. Stephen P. Piusz, O-701285 (survived) Bombardier F/O Charles G. Steiger, T-124050 (survived) Bronx, NY Engineer SSgt L. Norton Ligon, 18232936 (survived) Nuces County, TX Asst Engineer TSgt Michael S. Dobos, 36567057 (survived) Radio TSgt Howard I. Mosher, 14119897 (survived) Asst Radio SSgt Leroy L. Cartwright, 35217251 (survived) Gunner SSgt Jesus N. Valenciano, 35895296 (survived) Parr, TX Gunner SSgt John W. Kirk, Jr., 33646881 (survived) Crashed November 8, 1944 MACR 10587 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 5200. At the factory completed with an aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-205-CO Liberator serial number 44-41264. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force, 307th Bombardment Group, 371st Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines R-1830-65A serial numbers BP-443849, BP-444273, BP-443430 and BP-444063. Weapon serial numbers not noted in Missing Air Crew Report 10587 (MACR 10587). Mission History On November 8, 1944 took off from Kornasoren Airfield on Noemfoor Island piloted by 1st Lt. Kenneth C. Sanderson on a bombing mission against Saravia Airfield (Alicante) on Negros. Over the target, shot down by fighters was B-24L Liberator 44-41421 piloted by 1st Lt. Walter A. Scalese and this bomber was damaged. Returning, at approximately 11:45am, Lt. Sanders called over the radio to B-24J 44-40938 piloted by 1st Lt. William R. Covington that his fuel gauges were shattered and he had no way to estimate fuel levels. Also, he reported one engine was out and several crew members were injured. He also stated that he had lost sight of the formation over Mindanao north-northeast of Davao and advised he would divert to Leyte. This B-24 left formation and turned north. The weather was 6/10 low stratus clouds with visibility of 6-8 miles. At 1:00pm another aircrew member aboard B-24J 44-41213 heard the radio message "QMMO" from LED to Morotai that was repeated several times. At 3:10 the aircraft then began sending an "SOS" and at 3:20pm the message "Bail out or crash land on Mindanao". Search On November 10 and 11, a search mission was flown by PBY Catalinas from 5230 Rescue Group, with single aircraft searching over northern Mindanao and the vicinity of the coordinates last reported were thoroughly searched with negative results. More searches were not made due to a lack fo available aircraft, but American aircraft operating in the area were advised to be on the alert for any signs of the downed crew. Fates of the Crew In fact, the crew bailed out and were later rescued. On January 5, 1945, the crew was given seven days leave in Sydney then returned to duty. Memorials Corliss passed away on May 31, 2018 at age 96. He is buried at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Wichita, KS. References World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles G. Steiger World War II Army Enlistment Records - L. Norton Ligon USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-205-CO Liberator 44-41264 "41264 (307th BG) lost Nov 8, 1944, Philippines. MACR 10587" Missing Air Crew Report 10587 (MACR 10587) FindAGrave - Loren B Corliss (photo, obituary) 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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