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| USAAF 5th AF 22nd BG 33rd BS |
Pilot 1st Lt James M. Focht (MIA / KIA, BR) Huntingdon, PA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Lawrence W. Fischer (MIA / KIA, BR) Gage County, NE Navigator 2nd Lt. Patt W. Carter (MIA / KIA, BR) Eastland County, TX Bombardier 2nd Lt. Max W. Stevens (MIA / KIA, BR) Wabash, IN Engineer TSgt Roddy T. Roberts, Jr. (MIA / KIA, BR) Tuscumbia, AL Asst. Engineer SSgt Marvin W. Smith, 19161591 (MIA / KIA, BR) Los Angeles, CA Radio TSgt Samuel F. Garver, Jr., 39281151 (MIA / KIA, BR) Los Angeles, CA Gunner SSgt Richard R. Mart, 35629397 (MIA / KIA, BR) Columbus, OH Gunner TSgt Leonard Mann, 12128372 (MIA / KIA, BR) New York, NY Gunner SSgt Dennis R. Galloway, 35424664 (MIA / KIA, BR) Newport News, VA Crashed March 23, 1945 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 5588. At the factory completed with an aluminum finish. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24L-15-CO Liberator serial number 44-41652. Ferried via Hickam Field across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History During December 1944, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 33rd Bombardment Squadron (33rd BS). Nicknamed "Tail Wind". Also known as "652" for the last three digits of the serial number. Assigned to pilot Newson. On January 20, 1945 first bombing mission. This B-24 flew at least 34 missions before lost. Mission History On March 23, 1945 took off from Clark Field piloted by 1st Lt. James M. Focht armed with 2,000 pound bombs on a bombing mission against Jitsugetsutan No. 1 power plant in northern Formosa (Taiwan). The formation included 23 B-24s from all four squadrons of the 22nd BG. This bomber was leading the second element of the 33rd BS. After bombing from 13,000', this B-24 suffered a direct hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire causing the right wing to break off. With the no. 3 engine on fire, the bomber spiraled and crashed into the ground. Two parachutes were observed but failed to partially open but were too low. The bomber crashed roughly 1,000' west of the target. When this B-24 failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). As the bomber was observed to crash over the target area, no Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) was generated for this loss. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of the crew were recovered and transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. On September 12, 1949 the remains of the crew were buried in a group burial at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34, site 4766. Relatives Mike Edmonds (son of Max W. Stevens) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James M. Focht NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Patt W. Carter NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Max W. Stevens NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Roddy T. Roberts, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Marvin W. Smith NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Samuel F. Garver, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard R. Mart NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Leonard Mann NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Dennis R. Galloway USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24L Liberator 44-41652 Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - James M. Focht (group burial photos) FindAGrave - 1LT James Melvin Focht (photo, group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Lawrence W. Fischer (group burial photos) FindAGrave - 2LT Lawrence W Fischer (news, group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Patt W. Carter (group burial photos) FindAGrave - 2LT Patt Wayne Carter (group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Max W. Stevens (group burial photos) FindAGrave - 2LT Max W. Stevens (obituary, group burial) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) does not list Roddy T. Roberts, Jr. FindAGrave - TSGT Roddy Tillman Roberts Jr. (news, group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) does not list Marvin W. Smith FindAGrave - SSGT Marvin W Smith (group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Samuel F. Garver, Jr. (group burial photos) FindAGrave - TSGT Samuel F Garver Jr. (group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Richard R. Mart (group burial photos) FindAGrave - SSGT Richard Ryerson Mart (photo, group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Leonard Mann (group burial photos) FindAGrave - TSGT Leonard Mann (group burial photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Dennis R. Galloway (group burial photos) FindAGrave - SSGT Dennis Robert Galloway (photo, group burial photo) Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 362 (map), 386-387 (March 23, 1945), 485-486 (Appendix II, March 23, 1945 crew list), 503 (33rd BS, 44-41652), 609 (index Focht), 621 (index Stevens), 622 (index Tail Wind) 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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