|
 |
|
|
| 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 498th BS Former Assignments 3rd BG 90th BS 500th BS
|
Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8326. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-5 Mitchell serial number 41-30161. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG) "The Grim Reapers", 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). No known nickname but had the squadron's shark mouth motif and a duck on the left side of the nose. Converted into a B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field at Townsville. On November 29, 1943 assigned to the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS) "Rough Raiders". Assigned to pilot 1st Lt. Thomas F. Tackaberry. Who added the nickname "Avoca Avenger" for his hometown of Avoca, Michigan. Assigned to crew chief Proffitt. On December 22, 1943 took off piloted by Captain Marston on a mission against Wewak. On February 15, 1944 took off from Dobodura Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. William H. Ames on a low level strike against Kavieng. Over the target, the formation experienced heavy anti-aircraft fire. On February 19, 1944 took off piloted by Major Keith Dougherty (C.O. 500th BS) on a mission to attack a Japanese convoy off the southwest coast of New Ireland near Kaut Bay and attacked Shinto Maru No. 1 and straffed then released his bombs and scored a direct hit that caused the ship to roll over upended and sunk. On September 2, 1944 took off from Mokmer Drome on Biak on a mission against Langoan Airfield on Celebes (Sulawesi). When fighter escort did not rendezvous with the formation, they diverted to the secondary target of enemy installations along Lembeh Strait. Arriving the target, the formation spit up with six B-25 led by Major Mortensen striking Lembeh. At the southwest entrance of Lembeh Strait an intense anti-aircraft barrage was fired by Minelayer Itsukushima that damaged this bomber and B-25D "The Wolf Pack" 41-30034. Returning, both damaged planes made an emergency landing at Middleburg Airfield. Afterwards, the damage was repaired. On September 19, 1944 transfered to the 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS) "Falcons". On October 17, 1944 transfered to a service squadron and condemned as war weary. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Memorials Tackaberry passed away December 6, 1987 at age 65. He is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Clarkston, MI at Block 11 Lot 49 Gr. 6. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Thomas F. Tackaberry USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-5 Mitchell 41-30161 FindAGrave - Thomas Frank Tackaberry (photo, grave photo) Warpath Across The Pacific The Illustrated History of the 345th Bombardment Group During World War II (1996) pages 98 (December 22, 1943), 123 (photo), 134, 183-184 (September 2, 1944), 384 (41-30161, 498th BS), 392 (41-30161, 500th BS), 401 (photo), 437 (index Avoca Avenger) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 B-25 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
