Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to the Pacific.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 71st Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Sunsetter's Son".

Mission History
On December 1, 1942 one of six B-25s that took off from Port Moresby on a mission to attack a Japanese convoy of four destroyers approaching Buna. After bombing the lead vessel in the convoy, the formation was attacked by 10 or 12 Zeros. During the first pass, this B-25 was shot down in flames. Two parachutes were seen to open before the aircraft crashed into the sea. Crashed in the sea off Buna, approximate position Lat 06.36 Long 150.12 roughly 92 mile north of Buna.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on December 12, 1945. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Savely has a memorial marker at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg, KS.

References
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25 Mitchell 41-29707
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ross G. Menoher Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lloyd I. Savely
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Roland A. Purkey
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Roy E. Hindman
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George V. Wolcott
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward A. Kelly
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Peter Dennis
FindAGrave - 1Lt Ross G Menoher, Jr (photo)
FindAGrave - Lieut Lloyd I Savely
FindAGrave - 1Lt Roland A Purkey
FindAGrave - 1Lt Roy E Hindman
FindAGrave - TSgt Edward A Kelly
FindAGrave - Sgt Peter Dennis

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Last Updated
February 14, 2020