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Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt Richard O. Yeager, O-790448 (KIA, BR) Trout, LA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Adelino D. Flores, O-791685 (KIA, BR) Fall River, MA Navigator 2nd Lt Archibald Lindsay, O-790970 (MIA / KIA) Arlington, NJ Bombardier SSgt John L. Hill, 12045654 (MIA / KIA) Oneida County, NY Gunner SSgt Norbert W. Pansier, 36233937 (KIA, BR) Oconto County, WI Gunner SSgt Alexander J. Baggenstoss, 37094896 (KIA, BR) Albany, MN Crashed November 16, 1942 MACR 15104 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5673. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12982. 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). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 16, 1942 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Richard O. Yeager on a bombing mission attacking anti-aircraft installations at Buna. Over the target, this B-25 sustained a direct anti-aircraft hit into the wing, causing it to catch fire and crashed near the coastline. None of the B-25s in the formation observed anyone parachute from the stricken bomber. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew In fact, Lindsay and Hill managed to bail out but their fate is unknown. The other four crew members died died in the crash. Wreckage This B-25 crashed into a coconut plantation at Buna. In early January 1943 after the Battle of Buna, Allied forces occupied the area and located the crash site. Recovery of Remains During early 1943, the remains of four of the crew who died in the crash were recovered and buried at Soputa Cemetery with Baggenstoss grave 176. Afterwards, exhumed and transported to Finschafen and reburied in American Cemetery at Finschafen at Finschaffen No. 2 Cemetery with Baggenstoss at grave 1245. Later, exhumed and transported to Manila for permanent burial. Memorials Lindsay and Hill were officially declared dead on December 10, 1945. Both earned the Purple Heart, posthumously and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. The other four crew members was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All four earned the Purple Hear, posthumously. All four were permanently buried at at Manila American Cemetery. Yeager at Plot D Row 6 Grave 109. Flores Plot D Row 9 Grave 99. Pansier at Plot A Row 6 Grave 150. Baggenstoss at Plot F Row 1 Grave 30. Relatives Alexander Baggenstoss (father Baggenstoss) Gertrude Baggenstoss (mother Baggenstoss) Elieen Baggenstoss (wife Baggenstoss) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Adelino D. Flores NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John L. Hill NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Norbert W. Pansier Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) Alexander J. Baggenstoss USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12982 "12982 lost to AAA Nov 17, 1942" 3rd BG History 9085 page 85 MACR 15104 (MACR 15104) was created retroactively CILHI coded this site "PNG #83" PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25 Mitchell 41-12982 FindAGrave - 2Lt Richard O Yeager (grave) FindAGrave - 2Lt Adelino D Flores (grave) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Adelino D. Flores FindAGrave - 1Lt Archibald Lindsay (tablets of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John L. Hill FindAGrave - SSgt John L. Hill (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Norbert William Pansier (grave) FindAGrave - SSgt Alexander Jacob Baggenstoss (grave) Thanks to Edward Rogers and Daniel Leahy 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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