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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 500th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. John P. McLean, Jr., O-730938 (MIA / KIA) WA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Edgar A. Waite (MIA / KIA) NB Bombardier 1st Lt. Fred H. Wexler, O-730759 (MIA / KIA) PA Radio SSgt Norman E. Godsey, 35164297 (MIA / KIA) IN Engineer SSgt Cameron N. Somsel, 16085547 (MIA / KIA) MI Gunner SSgt Arthur O. Wezel, 35252845 (MIA / KIA) Danville, IN Crashed January 25, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8477. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30312. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF) and modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Airfield at Townsville. On July 8, 1943 assigned to the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS). Assigned to pilot 1st Lt. John P. McLean, Jr. with crew chief SSgt Andrew M. Rezin. Nicknamed "Dittum Dattum (II)" after the loss of B-25D "Dittum Dattum" 41-30073. This B-25 began flying combat missions from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby during October 1943, then began operating from Dobodura Airfield during January 1944 until it was lost. Mission History On January 25, 1944 took off from Dobodura Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. John P. McLean, Jr. as part of "C Flight" for a low level strike against Momote Airfield on Los Negros. Hit by anti-aircraft fire at the end of the runway, McLean waved before crashing at the edge of Papitalai Harbor onto Salami Plantation. The B-25 exploded on impact, killing the entire crew. Memorials The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. McLean earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. Waite Wexler Godsey Somsel Wezel Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30312 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John P. McLean Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edgar A. Waite American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Fred H. Wexler American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Norman E. Godsey American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Cameron N. Somsel American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Arthur O. Wezel FindAGrave - 1LT John P McLean Jr. (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Edgar A Waite (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Fred H Wexler (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Norman E Godsey (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Cameron N Somsel (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Arthur Olin Wezel (tablets of the missing photo, obituary) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D-1 Mitchell 41-30312 Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) pages 114 (photo), 115, 368, 392 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 6 Missing |
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