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

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 71st Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Royal Flush".

Mission History
On January 7, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by Brinkman as one of six B-25s from the 71st Bomb Squadron, joined by six B-25s from the 405th Bomb Squadron on a mission to attack a Japanese convoy consisting of eight vessels, including four destroyers bound for Buna.

Over the convoy, this B-25 apparently received anti-aircraft fire and was hit in its right engine which caught fire but as the plane neared the water, the pilot managed to extinguish the fire in the engine. It is believed that Lt Brinkman gained control of the aircraft and made a perfect water landing, but the bomber broke in two in the region of the bomb bay and sank immediately. It was thought that three of the crew managed to bail out of the aircraft.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Elmer P. Brinkman
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William S. Goodchild
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas M. Logsdon
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Henry C. Bogart
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Louis E. Reabold
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James F. Flannagan Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James W. Conner
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25 Mitchell 41-29708

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018