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| USAAF 5th AF 90th BG 319th BS |
Command Pilot Major Milton J. Porter, O-435989 (MIA / KIA, BR) Pilot 1st Lt Kenneth J. Stoltenberg, O-775922 (MIA / KIA, BR) Schleswig, Iowa Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Carrol E. Justice, O-775922 (MIA / KIA, BR) Lawrence County, TN Navigator 2nd Lt. Michael C. Sherpou (MIA / KIA) Bombardier 2nd Lt. Moate B. Murray, Jr. (MIA / KIA, BR) Engineer TSgt Norman A. Ruddock (MIA / KIA, BR) Radio TSgt Frederick Richardson (MIA / KIA, BR) Gunner SSgt Ernest Querette (MIA / KIA) Gunner SSgt Harry J. Spivey (MIA / KIA) Gunner SSgt Harold L. Gregery (MIA / KIA, BR) Armorer-Gunner SSgt Bobbie L. Lawrence (MIA / KIA) Radar 2nd Lt. James A. Roberts (MIA / KIA) Photographer SSgt Nerlin W. Rigge (MIA / KIA) Crashed February 18, 1945 MACR 14438 Aircraft History Built by Ford at Air Force Plant 31 in Willow Run, Michigan. Constructors Number 4287. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24L-5-FO Liberator serial number 44-49432. Ferried overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG) "Jolly Rogers", 319th Bombardment Squadron (319th BS) "Asterperious". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-1830-45 serial numbers CP-38646, CP-318565, CP-319393 and CP-317653. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 14438 (MACR 14438). Mission History On February 18, 1945 took off from McGuire Drome on Mindoro Island under command pilot Major Milton J. Porter with pilot 1st Lt Kenneth J. Stoltenberg on a bombing mission against Okayama Airfield but due to bad weather diverted to the secondary target Takao (Kaohsiung) on the southwest of Formosa (Taiwan). The weather was 9/10 to 10/10 strato cumulus clouds at 9,000'. The formation was escorted by P-38 Lightnings from 70th Fighter Squadron (70th FS). Over the target, this B-24 was leading the squadron. Over Takao (Kaohsiung) the lead formation was targeted by accurate and heavy anti-aircraft fire. During the third burst anti-aircraft fire. this bomber was hit between the no. 1 and no. 2 engines causing a fire in the no. 1 engine and peeled to the left and immediately feathered the damaged engine and dropped out of formation and lost 1,000' of altitude trailing a heavy column of bluish-gray smoke but leveled out and seemed to be under control. Immediately, a flight of P-38s were dispatched to escort the cripple. Approximately a minute later after bombs away and no fighter opposition more P-38s joined as escorts. The damaged bomber was never seen to jettison their bomb load. At 12:07pm as the damaged B-24 approached Heito North Airfield, a fire increased and enveloped the left wing and the bomber went into a tight spiral. Four parachutes were observed to open and a fifth partially open. P-38s covered the men in parachutes until they landed safely. The bomber crashed into a barracks or warehouse approximately one and a half miles northeast of Heito North Airfield and exploded on impact. Another reference states it crashed 5 to 6 miles off southeast of Toko. At about 12:15pm, all four parachutes landed within a quarter mile of the crash site. When this bomber failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the crew Nine of the crew died in the crash:: Gregory, Guerett, Justice, Murray, Porter, Richardson, Roberts, Ruddock and Stoltenberg. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of nine of the crew were recovered, identified then transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Gregory, Guerett, Justice, Murray, Porter, Richardson, Roberts, Ruddock and Stoltenberg are buried in a group burial at Keokuk National Cemetery in section D, site 135. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24L-5-FO Liberator 44-49432 "49432 (90th BG) lost Feb 18, 1945, SW Pacific. MACR 14438" Missing Air Crew Report 14438 (MACR 14438) created retroactively circa May 1945 FindAGrave - MAJ Milton J Porter (group burial photo) FindAGrave - 1st Lt Kenneth J Stoltenberg (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Carrol E. Justice (photo, group burial photo) FindAGrave - FindAGrave - FindAGrave - Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 20, 2026 |
 B-24  MIA 13 Missing Resolved |
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