|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 13th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Arden M. Rulison, O-393203 (MIA / KIA) Santa Barbara County, CA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Donald C. Mitchell, O-411844 (survived) Bombardier MSgt Ray A. Oliver, 6725145 (MIA / KIA) MI Engineer Cpl William A. Mutch, Jr., 33099073 (MIA / KIA) PA Radio Gunner Sgt. Arthur I. Friday, 408805, RAAF (MIA / KIA) Mansfield, VIC Turret Gunner Sgt. Guy E. Clanton, 14006584 (MIA / KIA) MS Crashed May 25, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5101. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12466. Ferried overseas via Hicam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History On April 6, 1942 assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS). No known nose art or nickname. Royce Mission On April 11, 1942 took off from Batchelor Field near Darwin piloted by Feltham with co-pilot Linn on the Royce Mission as one of nine B-25s with three B-17s on a flight 1,500 miles northward to Del Monte Airfield on Mindanao in the Philippines. On April 12, 1942 and April 13, 1942 one of nine B-25s plus three B-17s that bombed Cebu and Davao. Afterwards, flown back to Batchelor Field. Mission History On May 25, 1942 took off from Cooktown Airfield on a morning flight to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby . One of eight B-25s that took off from 7 Mile Drome on a bombing mission against Lae Airfield. Over the target, attacked by approximately 15 Tainan Kōkūtai A6M2 Zeros in vicinity of the airfield for twenty minutes. This B-25 was shot down and crashed into the sea, killing the entire crew with the exception of Mitchell who managed to bail out. Fate of the Crew Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Donald C. Mitchell was only crew member able to bail out. He was able to link up with Australian forces and on June 8, 1942 a radio message from Mubo stated that Mitchell was safe, but suffered burns and a leg injury. He was returned to duty in Australia on June 12, 1942. Memorials The entire crew killed in the crash were officially declared dead that day of the mission. Australian Friday is memorialized at Lae War Cemetery on the Lae Memorial panel 7. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12466 "12466 (MSN 82-5101) to Netherlands East Indies N5-135 Feb 12, 1942. Ferried to Australia but impressed Mar 25, 1942 by USAAF and assigned to 3rd BG. Shot down by fighters during attack on Lae, New Guinea May 25, 1942" PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-12466 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Arden M. Rulison American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ray A. Oliver American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William A. Mutch Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Guy E. Clanton CWGC - Arthur I. Friday FindAGrave - Capt Arden M Rulison (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - MSgt Ray A Oliver (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Corp William Atlee Mutch, Jr (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Arthur I. Friday (Lae War Cemetery, Lae Memorial) FindAGrave - Sgt Guy E Clanton (tablets of the missing) Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 MIA 5 Missing 1 Rescued |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
