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  B-25D-10 "Lucky Star" Serial Number 41-30183  
USAAF
5th AF
38th BG
405th BS

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38th BG September 1943
Pilot  2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore, O-795427 (MIA / KIA) Reedy, WV
Co-Pilot  2nd Lt Robert B. Reese, O-675002 (MIA / KIA) Colfax, LA
Bombardier-Navigator  2nd Lt William E. Woodson, O-706554 (MIA / KIA) Mardin, MS
Radio  SSgt Charlie H. Moore, 34382796 (MIA / KIA) Columbia, SC
Engineer  Sgt Kenneth W. Wallace, 36062345 (POW, MIA / KIA) Ehallyville, IL
Ditched  October 16, 1943 at 11:03 hours
MACR  901

Aircraft History
Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8348. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30183. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
On August 5, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 405th Bombardment Squadron (405th BS). Nicknamed "Lucky Star" with the nose art of a star with lines around it and trailing behind and into the nickname. After September 1943, converted into a B-25D-1 strafer by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Assigned to pilot 2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore.

When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-30955 and 41-29832. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers listed in Missing Air Crew Report 901 (MACR 901). Also armed with three .30 caliber machine guns makers unknown, serial number 33738 and the other two (waist and tail) serial number numbers unknown. Also aboard were small arms including a Thompson submachine gun serial number 71434 and two Springfield rifles serial numbers 356525 and 181579.

Mission History
On October 16, 1943 took off from 17-Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore on a low level strike against Alexishafen Airfield. The bombers formation included 38 B-25s flying in flights from the 405th Bombardment Squadron (405th BS) followed by the 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS). The weather was 6/10th cirrus clouds at 20,000' and broken stratocumulus clouds between 4,000' to 5,000' with good visibility.

Over Marilinan, the formation rendezvoused with twenty-five escorting P-47D Thunderbolts from 348th Fighter Group (348th FG). Together, the formation proceeded to the target area but became separated with one flight from the 405th BS and 71st BS diverted to strike the secondary target of Sio. Meanwhile, the remaining two flights from the 405th proceeded to to Alexishafen Airfield with escorts.

At 10:30pm the B-25s formation arrived over Alexishafen Airfield with low clouds and building thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Ki-43 Oscars from 13th Sentai took off to intercept. This B-25 was able to bomb and strafe then turned towards home with the rest of his flight. Leaving the target, jumped by two "Zeros" [sic Ki-43 Oscars] made a frontal attack that damaged both engines with gunfire as the plane pulled up to avoid their attack then nosed down flying under the rest of the formation.

In the next bomber, B-25 piloted by 1st Lt. Richard Slye and 2nd Lt. John J. Shields observed the pilots of the damaged B-25 removing their helmets and releasing the escape hatch in preparation for a crash landing or to ditch. The cowling of the right motor was missing and the engine was smoking. Before ditching southeast of Madang, both engines were feathered.

At 11:03am the bomber hit the sea and bounced several feet into the air before coming to rest on the surface. For above five minutes, the B-25 remained afloat at roughly Lat 5 15' S, Long 145 53' E. When this plane failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Fates of the Crew
After the ditching, at least one crew member was observed swimming near the right wing. Another squadron of B-25s reported four "Zeros" [sic Ki-43 Oscars] strafing the area. None of the crew were seen again after the initial sightings. It is possible, that one or more of the crew may have survived and were captured and became a Prisoners Of War (POW).

The fate of Reese and Moore are unknown. Likely, both were injured or killed in the interception or ditching and went down with the bomber when it sank or drown or were lost at sea.

Likely, Moore, Woodson and Wallace survived the ditching and were captured by the Japanese. Afterwards, Japanese radio broadcasts from Tokyo stated that Moore, Woodson and Wallace were Prisoners Of War (POWs). Their ultimate fate is unknown. It is possible they were detained and executed at Madang or taken to Wewak. Only Wallace was officially listed as a POW and his fate as "Died as Prisoner of War" in the Southwest Pacific: New Guinea with last report date of March 17, 1944.

All five of the crew crew remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA) to this day.

Search
Major George B. Marzolf was placed in charge of the search mission. Arrangements were made for PT Boats to search the area of the crash landing, however nothing was reported or found.

Moore Dog Tag Found
During the 1980s, Henry Mayer found the dog tag of S/Sgt Charles Moore at 17-Mile Drome (Durand).  Likely, this dog tag was lost by him at the airfield or discarded after his possessions were returned home. During December 2011, the dog tag was returned to the Moore family.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 22, 1946. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

Moore earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Reese earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Woodson earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Hardin Cemetery in Hardin, MS.

Moore earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Wallace earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Relatives
Chuck Moore (son of Charles H. Moore)
"Thank you for the incredible gift of getting my father's dog tag to us. I never knew my father as he left the US for New Guinea when I was five weeks old, and was last heard from when their plane ditched off Madang. It was an emotional moment on Christmas when my son, Seth, presented me with my father's dog tag. It is overwhelming to have a personal item of his after all these years. My mother Myrtle is 90 years old now, and we have told her of this incredible find. She is still sorting through her emotions on this, so has not seen the dog tags as yet. This is such a meaningful service that you, Henry Mayer, and Pacific Wrecks are doing in honoring the servicemen who served in the Pacific, and reuniting the tangible, personal item to their families."

Seth H. Moore (grandson of Charles H. Moore)
"My name is Seth H. Moore, grandson of fallen S/Sgt. Charles H. Moore. His wife, my grandmother, is now 91 years young and it would be such a gift to be able to get our hands on Charles dog tags to offer her closure after years of love and wonder. This is true for my father, Charles H. Moore, Jr. who never knew his father, but what a shame. His father would have been very proud of his son for the amazing father and loving soul that he is to his family, friends, and to anyone that is so lucky to come in contact with him. You immediately feel a ease when you are in his presences."

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Spencer M. Moore
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William E. Woodson
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charlie H. Moore
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Kenneth W. Wallace
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30183
"30183 (38th BG, 405th BS, "Lucky Star") damaged by Japanese fighters and ditched Oct 16, 1943 near Madang, Dutch East Indies. MACR 901. 5 crew MIA."
Missing Air Crew Report 901 901 (MACR 901) created October 17, 1943
Mainichi Shimbun October 17, 1943
News "Sgt C. M. Moore Listed as Dead by War Dept." February 9, 1946
NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File does four of the crew as official Prisoners Of War (POW), but this was not uncommon for Allied personnel captured in forward areas that were not officially reported.
NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Kenneth W. Wallace listed as "Area: Southwest Pacific Theatre: New Guinea, Status: Died as Prisoner of War, Not Above Cases, Last report date March 17, 1944"
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Spencer M. Moore
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert B. Reese
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William E. Woodson
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charlie H. Moore
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Kenneth W. Wallace
FindAGrave - 2Lt Spencer M Moore (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 2Lt Robert B Reese (photo, obituary, tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - 2LT William Elbert Woodson (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - William Elbert Woodson (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - SSGT Charlie H. Moore (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - SGT Kenneth W. Wallace (tablets of the missing photo)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30183
38th Bomb Group Newsletter by 1/Lt. William E. Hanrahan, pilot, 823/38:
"A 405th plane hit the water off Madang ahead of us. The crew climbed out on the wing, but three Zeroes made a pass at the crew. As we flew over the downed plane, we could see only the top of the green rudders."
Sun Setters of the Southwest Pacific Area (2011) pages 218 (map), 226-228 (October 16, 1943), Appendix II, AII-5 (October 16, 1943, 41-30183), Appendix III, AII-17 (405th BS, 41-30183), ix-9 (index Moore)
The Augusta Chronicle "Evans man receives dog tag of father who went missing in WWII" by Steve Crawford January 6, 2012 via Wayback Machine January 6, 2013
October 16, 1943 Mission Over Alexishafen by Richard Dunn
Thanks to Seth H. Moore, Henry Mayer and Richard Dunn for additional information

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Last Updated
October 16, 2022

 

Tech Info
B-25

MIA
POW / MIA
3 POW
5 Missing

Map
5.15
145.53
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