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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 71st BS |
Pilot F/O Richard H. Hastings, T-185588 (survived) Co-Pilot F/O Clarence F. Miller, T-120164 (MIA / KIA) LaGrange County, IN Navigator 2nd Lt Albert G. Oliver, O-801386 (survived) Gunner Sgt John E. Smith 12164230 (survived) Radio Sgt Clarence H. McGinnis, 12034747 (MIA / KIA) NJ Ditched November 2, 1943 MACR 1245 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8405. Delivered to the U.S. Army as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30240. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field across the Pacific to Australia. Modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant at the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-29350 and 41-21915. Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby on a bombing and strafing mission against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. When this aircraft failed to return the crew was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). On November 2, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by F/O Richard H. Hastings on a flight to North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) to refuel then took off again on a low level strike against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor near Rabaul. The formation of eight B-25s from 405th BS plus eight B-25s from 71st BS. At 11:20am the formation rendezvoused with fighter cover plus B-25s from 345th BG and 3rd BG over Gona Wreck then proceeded toward Kabagon Island then via Gasmata and Wide Bay then over St. George Channel. The weather was storms right to the target with visibility over the target good. Approaching the target, two destroyers off the mouth of the Worongoi River opened fire. To evade them, the entire formation turned towards New Ireland then continued northward towards Rabaul. The formation arrived at North Daughter and Mother and strafed building that triggered anti-aircraft fire. The B-25s from 71st turned to the north and formed into attack elements of two bombers. Meanwhile, the B-25s from 345th BG attacked Rabaul. Over the target, the formation is targeted by anti-aircraft fire and are intercepted by Zeros. This B-25 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and seriously damaged but managed to fly away then ditch in the Solomon Sea roughly 50 miles northeast of Kiriwina at roughly Lat 7.30 S, Long 151.28 E. During the ditching, two of the crew went down with the bomber and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Rescue Roughly 30 minutes later, two of the crew were rescued by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) PBY Catalina and transported back to Port Moresby. Memorials The two missing entire crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Miller also has memorial markers at Greenlawn Cemetery in Orland, IN and Woodruff Memorial Gardens in Woodruff, IN. Mcginnis is also memorialized on the World War II West Coast Memorial. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30240 incorrectly lists 2 crew as POW 71st Bombardment Squadron, Frame 584 Missing Air Crew Report 1246 (MACR 1246) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clarence F. Miller American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clarence H. McGinnis FindAGrave - FltOff Clarence F Miller (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Clarence F Miller (memorial marker photos Greenlawn Cemetery) FindAGrave - Clarence Franklin Miller (memorial marker photos Greenlawn Cemetery) FindAGrave - Sgt Clarence H McGinnis (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt Clarence H Mcginnis, Jr (World War II West Coast Memorial photos) The News-Sentinel "Miller missing in action" December 13, 1943 Journal-Gazette January 4, 1944 The News-Sentinel "Clarence F. Miller never came home from World War II" May 29, 2017 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  Map Nov 2, 1943  MIA 5 Missing |
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