Pilot 1st Lt. Alan S. Anderson, O-795474 (MIA / KIA) MN
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Clifton C. Roberts, O-742358 (MIA / KIA) TX
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Walter R. Kellison, O-733198 (MIA / KIA) Sparks, NV
Radio TSgt Frederick F. Dietz, Jr., 32335110 (MIA / KIA) NY
Engineer SSgt Paul H. Rains, 18129669 (MIA / KIA) OK
Gunner SSgt Frank E. Younkin, 33392134 (MIA / KIA) PA
Crashed March 19, 1944
MACR 6734
Aircraft History
Built by North American as a B-25D-10. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30185. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, converted to a model D-1 strafer at the 4th Air Depot in Garbutt Field at Townsville.
On November 29, 1943 assigned to the 345th Bombardment Group, 499th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Miss Ellen", the second aircraft with that nickname. Assigned to pilot Conant with crew chief Gamblin.
Mission History
On March 19, 1944 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Alan S. Anderson on a low level strike against Cape Moem near Wewak. Over the target, likely damaged by bombs from previous B-25, this bomber was last seen to flip over on its back and crash into the jungle, killing the entire crew. When this aircraft failed to return the entire crew was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
Wreckage
This crash site was assigned code CILHI PNG #42. It is unknown if this site was ever officially visited by CILHI or JPAC or was simply designated with this code.
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Anderson has a memorial marker at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at plot: MC, 0, 30.
References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Alan S. Anderson
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clifton C. Roberts
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Walter R. Kellison
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frederick F. Dietz Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul H. Rains
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frank E. Younkin
FindAGrave - Alan Sigurd Anderson (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - Pvt Clifton A Robertson (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - 2Lt Walter R Kellison (tablets of the missing, obituary)
FindAGrave - TSgt Frederick F Dietz, Jr (tablets of the missing, photo)
FindAGrace - SSgt Paul H Rains (tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - SSgt Frank E Younkin (tablets of the missing)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30185
Warpath Across The Pacific page 145 (photo), 387, 368-369
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Last Updated
February 14, 2020
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