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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 499th BS Former Assignments 22nd BG 2nd BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Russell N. Erum, O-796800 (MIA / KIA) Minneapolis, MN Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Mack L Sims, Jr., O-735828 (MIA / KIA) Hedker, TX Radio TSgt Raymond O. Blair, 39317307 (MIA / KIA) Independence, OR Gunner SSgt Robert J. Edwards, 39106055 (MIA / KIA) Phoenix, AZ Crashed March 26, 1944 MACR 4496 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8424. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30259. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History During June 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). Nicknamed "The Ringmaster" with circus nose, plane #1. Regular pilots Barrett and Brittain. On October 14, 1943 flew its first combat mission. In total, this bomber flew at least 46 missions over New Guinea. Next, converted into a B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. On January 31, 1944 assigned to the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) "Bat Outta Hell". Assigned to crew chief Mottern. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 42-77606 and 41-27771. Armed with three .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown in the nose plus two waist .30 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On March 26, 1944 at 3:50pm took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 3 piloted by 2nd Lt. Russell N. Erum on a local transition flight then would return to the same airfield. This B-25 was last seen after take off flying at 1,000' heading of roughly 300 degrees. The weather was visibility unlimited and 5,000' to 6,000' ceilings in the Markham Valley area. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). The plane was believed to have crashed in the mountains to the northeast near Nadzab. Search After failing to arrive at 6pm, it was too dark to conduct a search mission for the missing plane. The next morning, a search by three B-25s took off at 9am and searched the Markham Valley area and bordering mountains and coastline from Lae to Finchafen to Salamaua. The planes returned at 11:30am with without any sightings. A second search was flown at 2pm concentrating on the area near the airfield, but returned at 4:30 with nil sighting. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. As the flight was non-combat none of the crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. All area memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Erum earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Sims earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart. He also has a memorial marker at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley, TX. Blair earned the Air Medal. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30259 "30259 (345th BG) lost Mar 26, 1944. MACR 4496" Missing Air Crew Report 4496 (MACR 4496) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Russell N. Erum American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Mack L. Sims Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Raymond D. Blair American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert J. Edwards FindAGrave - 1Lt Russell N Erum (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Mack Lewis Sims Jr. (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Mack L Sims, Jr (photo, obituary, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - TSgt Raymond DeVere Blair (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Robert J Edwards (tablets of the missing) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D-1 Mitchell 41-30259 Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 492. 526 Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) pages 144, 369, 387 (499th BS, 41-30259) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 9, 2025 |
 B-25  Map March 26, 1944  MIA 4 Missing |
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