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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 13th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt John Cunningham, O-727419 (MIA / KIA, BR) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Charles R. Thomas O-795512 (MIA / KIA, BR) FL Turret Gunner S/Sgt John A. Manconi, 12125576 (MIA / KIA, BR) NY Radio S/Sgt Edward L. Kearney, 32418090 (MIA / KIA, BR) NY Crashed November 2, 1943 MACR 1013 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30213. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Converted into a B-25D-1 strafer version by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 3rd Bombardment Group, 13th Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-29066 and 41-31975. Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a a bombing mission against Rabaul. After attacking shipping in Simpson Harbor, believed to be lost due to enemy anti-aircraft fire. Witnesses thought they saw the left engine burning, wheels down and losing altitude, headed on a course of 140 degrees. The plane appeared to be under control when last seen. Wreckage In fact, this B-25 crashed near Kokopo. Catholic nuns held as prisoners by the Japanese recovered the bodies from the crash site and buried them at Takabuo. Recovery of Remains Postwar, this crash site was investigated and graves exhumed by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS). The remains of the crew were transported to Manila then transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, Cunningham, Thomas and Kearney were buried at Arlington National Cemetery in a group burial at section 34 site 4529-30. Manconi's burial is unknown, presumably in his hometown in New York. References Missing Air Crew Report 1013 (MACR 1013) FindAgrave - John Cunningham (grave photo) FindAGrave - Charles Thomas (grave photo) FindAGrave - Sgt John A Manconi (memorial marker photo) FIndAGrave - Edward Kearney (grave photo) Thanks Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 B-25  MIA 4 Missing Resolved |
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