Aircraft History
Built by North American in Inglewood, California. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Ferried overseas to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 71st Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Yankee Vengeance".

Mission History
On October 23, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Laloki) near Port Moresby on a flight to Garbutt Field near Townsville. Twenty five miles from Townsville, this B-25 was detected on radar but was never seen again.

Wreckage
During February 1944, the wreckage was found. One source suggests that this wreck may have been located north of Cairns.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 16486
Another source incorrectly lists this B-25 as "in accident Jan 31, 1942"
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward Q. May Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack D. Mills
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Harry E. Washer
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Dale M. Collins
Australia @ War - Loss of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber on 23 October 1942
Australia @ War - Crash of a B-25 Mitchell North of Cairns on 23 October 1942
Thanks to Peter Dunn, Edward Rogers and Daniel Leahy for their assistance with this profile

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
June 29, 2019