Pacific Wrecks - B-25D-1 "SNAFU / MFUTU" Serial Number 41-30054

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

B-25D-1 "SNAFU / MFUTU" Serial Number 41-30054

USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
500th BS

345th BG Oct 1943

Pilot Captain Lyle E. Anacker, O-662853 (MIA / KIA) WI
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. David E. Koenig, O-668012 (MIA / KIA) OH
Bombardier/Navigator 2nd Lt. Jerome A. Migliacci, O-797043 (survived) Trenton, NJ
Engineer S/Sgt George M. Hardy, Jr., 20221040 (WIA, KIA / MIA) NJ
Radio S/Sgt Millard Svec, 36602086 (MIA / KIA) IL
Tail Gunner Sgt Robert T. Henderson, 13022773 (survived) Edri, PA
Ditched October 18, 1943
MACR 1339

Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-5 Mitchell serial number 41-30054. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 345th Bombardment Group, 500th Bombardment Squadron during March 1943. Converted to a strafer variant (B-25D-1) at the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field near Townsville. Assigned to pilot Naigle with crew chief Cheney. Nicknamed "SNAFU / MFUTU" with the nose art of a middle finger and a Japanese caricature above the middle finger. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-28603 and 41-28564.

Mission History
On October 18, 1943 took off from Dobodura Airfield piloted by Anacker on a bombing mission against Rabaul without fighter escort. Over the target, this B-25 plus B-25D "Tondelayo" 41-30669 and B-25D "Sorry Satchul" 41-30056 attacked a 6,000 ton ship off Vunapope. Intercepted by enemy fighters on the return flight, gunner claimed five shot down before being damaged. On fire, this B-25 ditched off Cape Kwoi.

Fates of the Crew
Four of the crew survived, but only two made it ashore: Migliacci and Henderson. They sucessfully linked up with friendly natives and were taken to coastwatchers and lived with them for six months. On March 26, 1944 both were rescued by PT Boat.

Memorials
The four missing members of the crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the tabelts of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-5 Mitchell 41-30054
"30054 (345th BG) lost Oct 18, 1943. MACR 1339."
Missing Air Crew Report 1339 (MACR 1339)
E&E Report No. 43 - Lt. Migliacci and SSgt Henderson March 28, 1944 pages 1 - 7
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30054
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 49, 70-71, 73-74, 366, 391

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Last Updated
February 14, 2020

B-25

MIA
4 Missing
2 Rescued

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