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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 71st BS |
Pilot Captain William L. Uhler, O-660013 (MIA / KIA) Pasadena, MD Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Owen H. Salvage, O-798033 (POW, executed Aug 31, 1943, BR) Valley Stream, NY Navigator 1st Lt. Donnelly R. McMillan, O-660876 (MIA / KIA) Parks, AZ Radio S/Sgt. Joseph H. McDonough, 13012101 (MIA / KIA) East Pittsburgh, PA Gunner S/Sgt. Gerard H. Fortier, 11037020 (MIA / KIA) Central Falls, RI Ditched August 2, 1943 MACR 4698 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8386. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30221. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS). No known nose art or nickname. No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-29308 and 41-29400. Weapon serial numbers unknown. Mission History On August 2, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by Captain William L. Uhler on a barge sweep near Madang. On the way to the target, enemy aircraft attacked the formation forcing the B-25’s to seek a tight formation. As pilot Uhler approached a formation of three B-25’s, number 1 aircraft of that formation, nor knowing he had acquired wing men, banked sharply to the right. Captain Uhler could not bank sharply enough and tore the left wing tip of his aircraft upon hitting the right fuselage of number 2 aircraft. After the collision, Uhler’s aircraft appeared to land on a reef and was partially out of the water when last seen. The tail of the plane was seen to drag through the water for about fifty feet. Location was said to be two miles north of Kepler Point, located to the east of Astrolabe Bay, about sixty miles from Madang. No survivors were seen to emerge from the plane, but the other aircraft were traveling so fast so as to evade the enemy fighters, there was a possibility the crew could not have been seen by the other crews. Walt Deas adds: "Loss also reported at Kelona Village area of Wald Bay. Wald Bay may be Wab Bay. On modern maps Kepler Point is sometimes called Cape Iris. All confusing!" Fates of the Crew Four of the crew died in the crash. Salvage survived and was captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner Of War (POW) and was transported to the Kempei Tai headquarters at Amron. On August 31, 1943 at Amron five American airmen: four from B-25D 41-30118 and 2nd Lt. Owen Salvage were escorted to a execution ground and soldiers took turns bayoneting them then were beheaded. Possibly, Uhler was also taken prisoner. Post war affidavit L/Cpl Yasukuni Tani (clerk, Kempei Tai at Amron) states: “The actual execution was to be three prisoners by Kempei Tai and two by headquarters Sentry Guard Unit. However, 1st Lt. Matsumoto’s Kempei Tai members said, “We will execute the three prisoners for the revenge of the death of our comrade, Cpl Nakano. This Matsumoto’s Unit had a conflict several weeks ago at Kesa village, which is located at the head of the Ramu River. The three prisoners were blindfolded and escorted down the mountain to the execution ground by the Kempei Tai members and Sgt Major Kawawa, Cpl Ishikawa and S. Pvt Ozawa. After about 20 minutes had elapsed, Matsumoto’s Kempei Tai group came back and said, “The execution is over now, we will proceed back immediately” and walked towards Kempei Tai Headquarters." Uhler may have been taken prisoner at Lae, if so ultimate fate unknown by he did not survive captivity or the Pacific War. Memorials The four missing crew members were officially declared dead January 12, 1946. All four are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Postwar, the remains of Salvage were recovered and transported back to the United States. Savage is buried at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale, NY at lot 18. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30221 "30221 (38th BG) lost Aug 2, 1943. MACR 4698" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William L. Uhler American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Donnelly R. McMillan American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph H. McDonough American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Gerard G. Fortier PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30221 The Bomber Reef a DVD by Walt Deas covers the execution of the other B-25 crew Death At Amron by Walt Deas FindAGrave - Owen H. Salvage (grave photo) 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  5.34 146.16  MIA / POW 1 Prisoner 4 Missing |
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