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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 405th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert K. Fox, O-672062 (MIA, KIA) Brooklyn, NY Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas W. Franklin, O-674482 (MIA / KIA) Union County, NJ Navigator 2nd Lt. Terrence C. Ruff, O-741701 (MIA / KIA) Petaluma, CA Radio SSgt Donald E. Billeter, 15329020 (MIA /KIA) Wayne County, GA Turret Gunner Sgt. John D. Meininger, 33373180 (MIA / KIA) Anne Arundel County, MD MIA November 2, 1943 at 2:00pm MACR 1086 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8598. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-15 Mitchell serial number 41-30433. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Modified into a strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) "Sun Setters", 405th Bombardment Squadron (405th BS) "The Green Dragons". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-29521 and 41-29406. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 caliber machine guns. Also aboard was a Thompson submachine gun and two Springfield rifles serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 1086 (MACR 1086). Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert K. Fox 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. This B-25 in the no. 4 position on the wing of B-25D 41-30116 in the no. 3 position with the flight led by Lt. Maurers. 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, this B-25 was likely hit by anti-aircraft fire and while leaving the target was observed with smoke emitting from the left engine. This B-25 was observed to pull up to gain altitude then intercepted by three A6M Zeros that that flew west over Matupi Island and made passes against the damaged bomber. An escorting P-38 Lightning attempted to come to the aid of this plane but was damaged by the Zeros and withdrew. This B-25 was observed to hit the water near a destroyer and bounce three times then nose over and sink at the entrance to Simpson Harbor to the southwest of Matupi Island. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Afterwards, the mission was dubbed "Bloody Tuesday". Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Fox earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Franklin earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Ruff earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Billeter earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Meininger earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert K. Fox NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Thomas W. Franklin NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Donald E. Billeter NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John D. Meininger USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-15 Mitchell 41-30433 "30433 (38th BG) shot down and crashed into Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, New Guinea Nov 2, 1943. MACR 1086. 4 KIA" Missing Air Crew Report 1086 (MACR 1086) created November 3, 1943 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30434 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert K. Fox American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas W. Franklin American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Terrence C. Ruff American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Donald E. Billeter American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John D. Meininger FindAGrave - 2Lt Robert K Fox (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt Thomas W Franklin (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt Terrence C Ruff (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Donald E Billeter (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Sgt John David Meininger (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Sun Setters of the Southwest Pacific Area (2011) pages 235-242 (November 2, 1943), 241 (41-30433), AII-6 (November 2, 1943, 41-30433), AIII-6 (71st BS, does not list 41-30433), ix-1 (index Billeter), ix-4 (index Fox, Franklin), ix-9 (index Meininger), ix-11 (index Ruff) 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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