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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS Former Assignments 13th BS |
Pilot Captain Oscar L. Wertz (KIA, BR) KS Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Glenn H. Maddox (KIA, BR) Muncie, IN Navigator 2nd Lt Charles J. Houser (KIA, BR) Montgomery, AL Gunner SSgt Jack R. Keith (KIA, BR) Hopinsville, KY Gunner SSgt Walter J. Kennedy (KIA, BR) DC Ditched July 23, 1943 MACR 15062 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 41-12962. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS). Nicknamed "Calamity Jane". Later transfered to the 90th Bombardment Squadron and renamed "M & M". Mission History On July 23, 1943 took off from Horanda Drome, (Dobodura 4) on a mission to bomb and strafe Japanese targets on the north coast of New Guinea. This B-25 crashed into Hanish Harbor near Finschhafen. During an attack against a beached Japanese barge, this B-25 pulled up too late and the right engine hit the barge, breaking the engine off, causing the bomber to crash into a forested area near the beach. Wreckage After Allied forces occupied the crash site area, the remains of the crew were recovered. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Each member of the crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. After the recovery or remains, the remains of the crew were transported to the Philippines and United States for permanent burial. Wertz is buried at Wichita Park Cemetery and Mausoleum in Wichita, KS. Maddox is buried at Manila American Cemetery at at Plot D Row 6 Grave 10. Houser is buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34, site 4690. Keith is buried at Nashville National Cemetery at plot: 1, grave 101-A. Kennedy is buried at Manila American Cemetery at Plot D Row 16 Grave 184. References Previously, SSgt Jack R. Keith was assigned to the 13th Bombardment Squadron and survived the bailed out of B-25C Mitchell 41-12501 on October 13, 1942. Missing Air Crew Report 15062 (MACR 15062) FindAGrave - Oscar Leland Wertz (grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Glenn J. Maddox FindAGrave - 2Lt Glenn J Maddox (Manila American Cemetery photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Charles J. Houser FindAGrave - Charles J Houser (grave photo) FindAGrave - Jack R Keith (grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter J. Kennedy FindAGrave - SSgt Walter J Kennedy (photo, Manila American Cemetery) Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional research and analysis 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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