|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 499th BS  345th BG November 2, 1943  Rod Pearce September 7, 2024 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Alfred R. Krasnickas, O-734241 (MIA / KIA) Hartford, CT Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert L. Guy, O-448995 (MIA / KIA) Richmond, VA Radio SSgt Francis F. Frietas, 31018577 (MIA / KIA) Attleboro, MA Engineer Sgt John A. Buffo, 36353700 (MIA / KIA) Will County, IL Gunner Edward M. Imperato, 32411855 (MIA / KIA) Kings County, NY Crashed November 2, 1943 at 1:48pm MACR 1071 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8204. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-5 Mitchell serial number 41-30039. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant at the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History During March 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) "Bat Outta Hell". Nicknamed "Miss Ellen". Assigned to Captain Carl R. Conant and crew chief Gamblin. On October 12, 1943 this B-25 piloted by Conant on a bombing and strafing mission against Rabaul. On that mission, the bombs failed to release due to a faulty bomb rack, and was only able to strafe the target. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers right 41-28611 left 51-28533. Aboard were .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers (nose guns) 375613, 361618, 379867, 468058, 561323, 114119, 414254, 562089, top turret (left) 186521, (right) 473012. Also aboard were .30 caliber machine guns in the tail makers unknown serial numbers (left) 20510 and (right) 66701. Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off from Dobodura Airfield (APO 503) piloted by 2nd Lt. Alfred R. Krasnickas on a bombing and strafing mission against Rabaul. Although this bomber was assigned to the 499th Bombardment Squadron, it was on temporary loan to the 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) "Air Apaches" for this mission. This bomber was flying in the lead element of the formation in the number 2 position. The weather was visibility 3-6 miles with rain showers and low strato cumulus clouds. Over Rabaul with bomb bays open as this bomber began releasing its bombs, hit by an anti-aircraft shell below the bomb bay, causing the phosphorous bombs inside the bomb bay to explode, catch fire and smoke. Damaged, this B-25 broke formation, attempted to climb but instead plunged into the ground and exploded at Vuvu Plantation near Malaguna to the west of Rabaul. The crash was observed by the crew of B-25D "Bugger Off" 41-30061 and photographed the fiery explosion moments after the crash. When this B-25 failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage Postwar, this B-25 was located by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Lat 4.20 Long 152.06. This aircraft is also listed in th "Port Moresby Log" listing known aircraft wrecks. Recovery of Remains During July–September 2024 the crash site excavated by a team from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and remains were recovered. On September 26, 2024 a repatriation ceremony was held at Jackson Airport attended by the recovery team plus Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) and U.S. military personnel. Memorials The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Krasnickas earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Guy earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at his parent's grave in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA at section D, lot 222. Guy is also memorialized on a memorial plaque in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA. Frietas earned earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA at plot M/B, 0, 113. Buffo earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Harrisburg, IL. Imperato earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Alfred R. Krasnickas NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Francis F. Frietas NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John A. Buffo NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Edward M. Imperato USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-5 41-30039 Missing Air Crew Report 1071 (MACR 1071) created November 5, 1943 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Alfred R. Krasnickas American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert L. Guy American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Francis F. Frietas American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John A. Buffo American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward M. Imperato FindAGrave - 2LT Alfred R Krasnickas (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2Lt Robert Lancaster Guy (photo, tablets of the missing, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Robert Lancaster Guy (photo, memorial marker Hollywood cemetery) FindAGrave - SSgt Francis F Frietas (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Francis F Frietas (memorial marker) FindAGrave - Sgt John A Buffo (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - John Buffo (memorial marker) FindAGrave - Sgt Edward M Imperato (tablets of the missing) Port Moresby Log - B-25D 41-30039 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-30039 Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) pages 85-86 (November 2, 1943, photo), 366-367 (November 2, 1943 loss), 386 (41-30039, 499th BS), 442 (index Krasnickas) LinkedIn - Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) held a repatriation ceremony in Port Moresby September 26, 2024 (photos) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-25  Photo Archive  MIA 5 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
