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| USAAF 13th AF 42nd BG 70th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. George E. Gunson, Jr., O-725575 (MIA / KIA, BR) Burbank, CA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Daniel W. Davis, O-796788 (MIA / KIA, BR) SC Bombardier-Navigator 2nd Lt. William C. Montgomery, O-672961 (MIA / KIA, BR) NY Engineer-Gunner Sgt Jones N. Clifford, 35329721 (MIA / KIA, BR) OH Radio-Gunner SSgt Don P. Simester, 35310645 (MIA / KIA, BR) OH Armour-Gunner SSgt John A. Chisholm, Jr., 11090908 (MIA / KIA, BR) MA Crashed September 16, 1943 at 2:00pm MACR 618 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5765. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C-1 Mitchell serial number 41-13130. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 42nd Bombardment Group (42nd BG) "The Crusaders", 70th Bombardment Squadron (70th BS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial number 42-271591 and 42-77252. Weapon serial numbers unknown. Mission History On September 16, 1943 took off from Carney Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. George E. Gunson, Jr. as one of seven B-25s on a bombing and strafing mission against Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville. The weather was fair with rough seas and storms east of Kahili with approximately 15 miles of visibility. Over the target, this B-25 was in the No. 3 position. This bomber was last seen at approximately 2:00pm starting its strafing run from east to west over Kahili Airfield. When this bomber failed to return it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search On September 18, 1943 B-25 piloted by Captain Gilbert G. Smith searched unsuccessfully in the Vella Lavella area for this aircraft without results. Wreckage During 1947, the crash site was located by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) and the remains of the crew were recovered. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, the entire crew was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in a group burial at section 82 site 1G. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C-1 Mitchell 41-13130 "13130 (70th BS, 42nd BG) MIA Sep 17, 1943, Southwest Pacific. MACR 618" Missing Air Crew Report 618 (MACR 618) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-13130 FindAGrave - George E Gunson, Jr (grave photo) FindAGrave - Daniel W. Davis (grave photo) FindAGrave - William C Montgomery (grave photo) FindAGrave - Don P Simester (grave photo) FindAGrave - John A Chisholm, Jr (grave photo) 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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 B-25  Map Sept 16, 1943  MIA 6 Missing Resolved |
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