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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS  Sgt Uhlig July 13, 1944 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Gordon K. McCoun (rescued) New York, NY Co-Pilot F/Sgt Wilkinson, RAAF (rescued) Radio Sgt McCarthy, RAAF (rescued) Passenger Lt. Davis (rescued) Ditched February 21, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5603. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12968. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). Nicknamed "Draft Dodger". Mission History On February 21, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Gordon K. McCoun on a training mission to bomb the SS Pruth off Port Moresby. This bomber was armed with U.S. Army 300 pound bombs with Australian fuzes. Over the target, one of the 300 pound bombs exploded prematurely and damaged both engines. The bomber salvoed the remaining bombs and successfully ditched, 25 miles northwest of Port Moresby near Idihi Island atop a coral reef southwest of Boera. Fates of the Crew The entire crew survived unhurt and were later rescued by a crash boat and returned to Port Moresby. Wreckage This B-25 remains in situ. Due to storms over the decades, the remaining wreckage is scattered over a wider area. During the crash, both engines broke off on impact. Over the years, the wings and cockpit have detached. At low tide, the engines and wheel struts are exposed above the water. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Gordon K. McCoun USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12968 "12968 condemned Jun 3, 1943" 90th Bombardment Squadron History frame 190, microfilm A0572 frame 447 "Crashed into the water on a training mission. The tail surface of the plane hit the practice target and the plane crashed into the water." PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell piloted by McCoun Wrecks & Reefs (1994) pages 123-125, 218 FindAGrave - Gordon Kimball McCoun (grave photos) 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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