|
 |
|
|
| 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 5th BG 23rd BS |
Pilot Major James A. Saalfield, O-361642 (MIA / KIA, BR) Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Richard M. Van Galder, O-693489 (MIA / KIA, BR) Chicago, IL Navigator 2nd Lt. Robert W. Wickhorst, O-700088 (MIA / KIA, BR) CO Bombardier 1st Lt. John D. Scoggin (MIA / KIA, BR) Grayson County, TX Engineer TSgt Everett E. Moore (MIA / KIA, BR) PA Asst. Engineer SSgt Russell E. Cross (MIA / KIA, BR) Marion County, IN Radio TSgt David E. Beck, 16078746 (MIA / KIA, BR) IL Radar SSgt Charles H. Deaver, 38280724 (MIA / KIA, BR) Calvert, TX Gunner SSgt Elvin L. Barkhuff (MIA / KIA, BR) MT Gunner SSgt Ahti J. Wuori, 11130575 (MIA / KIA, BR) Norfolk County, MA Observer 1st Lt. William F. McClelland, O-858066 (MIA / KIA, BR) Pittsburgh, PA Crashed November 16, 1944 MACR 10667 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 5323. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-205-CO Liberator serial number 44-41387. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG) "Bomber Barons", 23rd Bombardment Squadron (23rd BS). No known nickname or nose art. Also known as "387" for the last three digits of the serial number When lost, engines R-1830-65A serial numbers BP-444262, BP-445065, BP-445090 and BP-444557. Armed with ten .50 caliber machine guns, makers and serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 10667 (MACR 10667). Also lost was B-24J 44-40962 pilot Norris (6 MIA, 4 rescued) and B-24J 44-40924 pilot Coberly (MIA). Mission History On November 16, 1944 took off from Pitu Airfield (APO 719) on Morotai Island piloted by Major James A. Saalfield armed with five 1,000 pound bombs as one of six B-24s from the 23rd Bombardment Squadron on a mission against Japanese warships inside Brunei Bay off northwest Borneo. The weather was reported as .3 low cumulus clouds inbound and no wind over the target area. Last seen at roughly Lat 5° 20' N Long 115° 30' E. When this aircraft failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage Postwar, the crash site of this bomber was found and the remains of the crew were recovered. Memorials The entire crew was declared dead on November 30, 1944. The entire crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. After the recovery of remains, the entire crew was buried on November 13, 1949 in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 82, site 201. References Note, McClelland surname is also spelled Mc Clelland in wartime records. USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-205-CO Liberator 44-41387 "41258 (90th BG) lost Nov 19, 1944, SW Pacific. MACR 12582" Missing Air Crew Report 10667 (MACR 10667) created November 18, 1944 FindAGrave - MAJ James A Saalfield (group burial photos) FindAGrave - 1LT Richard M Van Galder (photo, group burial photos) FindAGrave - 1LT Robert William Wickhorst (group burial photos) FindAGrave - 1LT John Doyle “Scog” Scoggin Jr. (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Everett E. Moore (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Russell Edwin Cross (group burial photo) FindAGrave - TSGT David Emerson Beck (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Charlie H Deaver (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Elvin L Barkhuff (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Ahti J Wuori (group burial photo) FindAGrave - 1LT William Finley McClelland (group burial phtotos) 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 11 Missing Resolved |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
