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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 13th BS  USAAF 1942 |
Pilot Captain James L. Orr, O-023098 (MIA / KIA) Davisboro, GA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Charles V. Berdine, O-725487 (MIA / KIA) Bemus Point, NY Crew 2nd Lt Mark P. Hubert, O-659551 (MIA / KIA) NC Crew 2nd Lt Norman K. Miller, O-725897 (MIA / KIA) Carlyle, IL Turret Gunner Sgt Nelson A. Boyd, 14017184 (MIA / KIA) Magnolia, MS Radio/Gunner Sgt John C. Patton, 405646 RAAF (MIA / KIA) Petone, NZ MIA August 26, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12499. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving on April 26, 1942. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS). Nicknamed "Boomerang" painted in white block letters on the right side of the nose below the nose windows. On July 26, 1942, took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt John R. Linn with co-pilot FSgt Robert J. Fergie (RAAF) as one of five B-25s from the 13th and 90th Bombardment Squadrons that on a mission to attack enemy seaplanes anchored off Gasmata in West New Britain. En route the formation was attacked by approximately 10-15 A6M Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai, when they passed over the Buna area that was recently seized by Japanese forces. When intercepted, the B-25's jettisoned their bombs and turned back towards Port Moresby. Two were shot down: B-25C 41-12470 piloted by Lt. Schmidt's and B-25C "Aurora" 41-1279 piloted by Capt. Bender. The remaining bombers, this aircraft and B-25C "Fat Cat" 41-12449 piloted by Lt. Johnson continued a running fight all the way back to Port Moresby area. During the combat, this B-25 was hit by a 20mm cannon shells and gunfire that exploding shattering the plexiglass. All but three Zeros turned back when the bombers were within ten minutes of 7 Mile Drome. By the end of the combat, only one gun in the top turret of this B-25 was operative, all the other guns on the two bombers were inoperative. Aboard this bomber, turret gunner Sgt Boyd fed ammunition from his right gun to his left in order to cover both planes as best as possible. Before giving up, one A6M2 Zero strafed parked aircraft at 14 Mile Drome (Laloki). Back at base, Linn circled 7 Mile Drome while Johnson landed first with an engine smoking. After the mission, an inspection of Lt. Linn's B-25 revealed 20mm cannon holes in the wings, one engine and the fuselage. On August 25, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Captain James L Orr with Lt. Hall Maull and Probert Price as part of a formation of four B-25s including one from 13th BS and three 90th BS on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping off Milne Bay. Mission History On August 26, 1942 at 3:30am took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Captain James L Orr as part of the same formation of four B-25s including one from 13th BS and three 90th BSon a bombing mission against Japanese shipping off Milne Bay. Over the target, other B-25s in the formation reported seeing a large flash near the target area. It was presumed this aircraft dropped its bombs too low or was hit by anti-aircraft fire or was lost on the return flight. When this aircraft failed to return from the mission the crew was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Orr was officially declared dead December 12, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Berdine was officially declared dead December 12, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Hubert was officially declared dead December 12, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Miller was officially declared dead December 12, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Boyd was officially declared dead December 12, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Boyd is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker in Hollywood Cemetery in McComb, MS. Patton was officially declared dead August 25, 1942. He is memorialized at Bomana War Cemetery on the Port Moresby Memorial, panel 9. He is also memorialized at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) panel 134. Relatives Are you a family member of James Orr or any member of this crew? . References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles V. Berdine NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Mark P. Hubert NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Norman K. Miller NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Nelson A. Boyd WW2 Nominal Roll - John Crockett Patton USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12499 "12499 (MSN 82-5134) to Netherlands East Indies AF as N5-157 Feb 24, 1942 but ferried to Australia and impressed Mar 25, 1942 by USAAF and assigned to 3rd BG. (3rd BG, 13th BS) missing on flight from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Milne Bay Aug 25, 1942." PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-12499 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James L. Orr American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles V. Berdine American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Mark P. Hubert American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Norman K. Miller American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Nelson A. Boyd CWGC - John Crockett Patton FindAGrave - Capt James L Orr (photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Charles V Berdine (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Mark Paul Hubert (obituary) FindAGrave - 1Lt Norman K Miller (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Nelson Alvin Boyd (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Nelson Alvin Boyd (memorial marker photo) CWGC - John Crockett Patton FindAGrave - Sergeant John Crockett Patton (Port Moresby Memorial photos) FindAGrave - John Crockett Patton (AWM) Harvest of the Grim Reapers The Illustrated History of the 3rd and 27th Bomb Groups During World War II Volume I: Prewar to December 1942 (2021) pages 214 (photo RAAF assigned to 3rd BG including Patton), 330 (B-25 photo), 333 (August 25, 1942), 334 (August 26, 1942 loss), 450 (August 25, 1942 B-25C 41-12499), 461 (13th BS, B-25C 41-12499), 504 (index Berdine, Boyd), 513 (index Hubert), 517 (index Miller), 519 (index Orr), 520 (index Patton) 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
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