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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 499th BS Former Assignments 3rd BG 13th BS 501st BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. George "Jack" P. Voitier, O-750489 (MIA / KIA) New Orleans, LA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Carl D. Broman, O-756167 (MIA / KIA) Lakewood, CO Engineer SSgt Arnold A. Smith, 31155960 (MIA / KIA) Quincy, VT Radio TSgt Americo Santillo, 32377601 (MIA / KIA) Auburn, NY Gunner SSgt Dean S. Kraps, 36459297 (MIA / KIA) MI Photographer SSgt Don F. Estep, 6294063 (MIA / KIA) Fort Smith, AR Crashed August 13, 1944 at 12:21pm MACR 8639 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-5 Mitchell serial number 41-30084. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS). On November 29, 1943 transfered to the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 501st Bombardment Squadron (501st BS). Nicknamed "Horatio (II)". Assigned to pilot McGowan with crew chief Singerman. On January 30, 1944 took off on a mission against Captain McGowan as one of twelve B-25s on a strike against Hansa Bay. This bomber was leading the third flight. Over the target, damaged by small arms fire in the right engine and made an emergency landing at Finschafen Airfield and while taxiing off the runway, two engine cylinders blew out in the damaged engine. Afterwards, the plane was repaired. On May 17, 1944 assigned to the 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) "Bat Outta Hell". Nicknamed "Hung Lo". Assigned to crew chief Sing. Mission History On August 13, 1944 took off from Mokmer Drome on Biak piloted by 2nd Lt. George P. Voitier as one of six B-25s on a strike mission against Lolobata west of the Loelie River on Halmahera. After strafing the target and a lugger, the formation passed over an anti-aircraft gun position and this B-25 was hit in the left engine at low altitude. Damaged, the left wing struck the sea and snapped off, then the right wing hit and the tail broke off as it crashed into Wasile Bay roughly 90 yards off shore. The crash site was off the eastern shore of Wasile Bay and the Kali Tiga River. When this plane failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew The remaining B-25s circled for 90 minutes to protect the crew. At least three crewman survived the ditching. Two were on the wing and waved to the other B-25s and a third was wounded getting first aid. Low on fuel, the B-25s departed and the crew were never seen again. Presumably, all were captured by the Japanese and otherwise killed or died. Reportedly, one was buried on the beach. Search Air-Sea Rescue was notified at 15:30 and OA-10 Catalina "Daylight 12" was ordered to the area, arriving after dark but failed to locate the crew. The next day, all aircraft in the area were advised to keep a look-out for this B-25 crew, but no search was possible due to bad weather. On August 15, OA-10 Catalina "Daylight 1" searched, but made nil sighting. The next day, missions and further searches were impossible due to bad weather. During one of the searches, a Catalina pilot sighted two empty life rafts and debris, possibly this aircraft in the area of the crash, but no other trace was found. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on February 26, 1946. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Voitier earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Broman earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Smith earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Santillo earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Kraps earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at LaCenter Gardens Cemetery in La Center, KY. Estep earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George P. Voitier NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Arnold A. Smith NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Americo Santillo NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Dean S. Kraps NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Don F. Estep American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George P. Voitier American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Carl D. Broman American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Arnold A. Smith American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Americo Santillo American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Dean S. Kraps American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Don F. Estep FindAGrave - 2LT George Paul “Jack” Voitier (photos, tablets of the mising photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt Carl D Broman (tablets of the mising photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Arnold Andrew Smith (tablets of the mising photo) FindAGrave - TSgt Americo Santillo (tablets of the mising photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Dean S Kraps (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Dean Kraps (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Don F. Estep (tablets of the mising photo) Warpath Across The Pacific (2008) 117 (January 30, 1944), 178-179 (August 13, 1944), 199 (photo color), 371 (August 13, 1944 crew list), 388 (499th BS, 41-30084), 398 (501st BS, 41-30084), 441 (index Horatio (II) / Hung Lo) 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  MIA 6 Missing |
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