|  |
|
| 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  Guthrie c1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert R Hotz, O-668334 (MIA / KIA) New York, NY Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. John C. Grice, O-713411 (MIA / KIA) Hoopeston, IL Bombardier 2nd Lt. Joseph Ciaramella, O-682069 (MIA / KIA) Pittsburgh, PA Engineer-Gunner SSgt Victor J. Goebel, 18184126 (MIA / KIA) Hermleigh, TX Radio-Gunner SSgt Russel E. Anuta, 39128338 (MIA / KIA) Contra Costa County, CA Gunner SSgt Frederick E. Bennett, Jr., 13068361 (MIA / KIA) Westchester County, NY MIA July 30, 1944 MACR 7182 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8223. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-5 Mitchell serial number 41-30058. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. 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" in Savannah, Georgia. Assigned to pilot Captain Julian B. Baird. Nicknamed "Lucky Bat" and had the nose art of a bat riding a bomb painted by Cpl John Michalowski while at Walterboro Army Airfield. Flown by Captain Baird on a ferry flight overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. In the middle of June 1943 arrives in Port Moresby. Often flown by pilot 1st Lt Philip Gath. Crew chief TSgt Conrad A. Rose. During August 1943, converted to B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. In September 1943 or early October 1943, repainted with the "Bat Outta Hell" motif on the nose with white tail markings. On September 27, 1943 took off piloted by Banz on a mission against Wewak. On October 12, 1943 took off on a mission against Rabaul. On October 16, 1943 took off piloted by 1st Lt Philip Gath on a mission against Wewak who claimed a "Oscar" shot down with the nose guns. On November 27 , 1943 took off piloted by 1st Lt Philip Gath on a mission against Boram Airfield. On January 25, 1944 took off piloted by Lt. Baker on a mission against the Admiralties with tail gunner Sgt Otto L. Bowker who was wounded and returned landing at Finschafen, but Baker died an hour later in the hospital. Afterwards, this B-25 flew back to base at Dobodura. On February 3, 1944 participated in a mission against Dagua Airfield. On February 16, 1944 took off piloted by 1st Lt Carl L. Cessna on a mission against Kavieng and attacked Subchaser No. 39 (CH-39) and was hit by debris from the explosion that caused holes in the rear fuselasge and caused ammunition to catch fire inside the rear fuselage. On April 3, 1944 took off piloted by 2nd Lt William W. Graham on a low level strafing mission against Hollandia. Over the target, strafed a parked Ki-48 Lily until it burst into flames and machine gun enemy positions. On July 27, 1944 took off piloted by Hotz on the mission against Galela. In total, this bomber flew at least 66 combat missions before it went missing. Mission History On July 30, 1944 took off piloted by Robert R Hotz as one of six B-25s on a barge sweep around Sele Strait (Galowa Strait, Revenges Strait) area near the Raja Ampat Islands. During the mission, the formation strafed barges. This B-25 left formation to attack a target and was never seen again. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on February 16, 1946. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Hotz earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Grice earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker in Fairhaven Cemetery in Mulberry, IN. Ciaramella earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Goebel earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker in Hermleigh Cemetery in Hermleigh, TX. Anuta earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Bennett earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Otto L. Bowker NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert R Hotz NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Joseph Ciaramella NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Victor J. Goebel NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Russel E. Anuta USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-5 Mitchell 41-30058 FindAGrave - Otto Leroy Bowker (photo, grave photo) Missing Air Crew Report 7182 (MACR 7182) created August 1, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert R. Hotz American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John C. Grice American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph Ciaramella American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Victor J. Goebel American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Russel E. Anuta American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frederick E. Bennett, Jr. FindAGrave - 1Lt Robert R Hotz (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2LT John Calvin Grice (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Lieut John C. Grice (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Joseph Ciaramella (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Victor J Goebel (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Victor J Goebel (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Russell E. Anuta (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Frederick E Bennett Jr. (tablets of the missing photo) Warpath Across The Pacific (2008) pages 63 (October 16, 1943), 97 (photo), 114-116 (January 25, 1944), 115 (photo), 132 (February 16, 1944), 153 (April 3, 1944), 175 (July 30, 1944), 213 (profile 2) 370 (July 30, 1944 loss), 386 (499th BS, 41-30058), 411 (profile 2 description), 443 (index Lucky Bat) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 9, 2025 |
 B-25  Photo Archive MIA 6 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
