|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 500th BS   USAAF 1942 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Frank E. Gullette, Jr., O-664577 (POW executed Nov 43-Mar 44 / MIA / KIA, BR) Dallas, TX Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Jackson D. Harbert, O-798495 (POW, executed Nov 43-Mar 44, BR) Wallace, WV Bombardier / Navigator 1st Lt. John R. Duggins, O-731037 (POW, executed Nov 43-Mar 44, BR) Baltimore, MD Engineer SSgt Glen A. Lamb, 19102345 (POW executed Nov 43-Mar 44, BR) ID Radio TSgt Charles H. Mahan, 31073113 (POW executed Nov 43-March 44, BR) Worcester, MA Tail Gunner Sgt Jack G. Hallack, 19078197 (MIA / KIA, BNR) Los Angeles, CA Ditched November 20, 1943 at 1:20pm MACR 1146 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8687. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-15 Mitchell serial number 41-30522. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History On July 12, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 500th Bombardment Squadron (500th BS). No known nose art or nickname. Converted to a strafer variant model D-1 by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers (left) 42-76929 and (right) 42-76691. Mission History On November 20, 1943 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Frank E. Gullette, Jr. as one of eighteen B-25s on a mission to strike the Hansa Bay area. The formation was escorted by four squadrons of P-47D Thunderbolts. Over the target, this B-25 was one of eight B-25s that bombed and strafed Awar Airfield. This bomber was hit by large caliber anti-aircraft fire that resulted in holes in the right wing and caused both engines to emit smoke. Damaged, this bomber successfully ditched two miles off Meiwok (Mawok) near Uligan Harbor. Afterwards, the B-25 floated for about three minutes and the crew were observed by other B-25s in the formation that dropped their life rafts to the downed crew and circled until low on fuel then departed. Search On November 21, 1943 around midnight, a Catalina from Port Moresby with several pilots from the mission aboard returned to the scene of the ditching. Although they circled the area, they were unable to find any trace of the crew. Fates of the Crew In fact, the entire crew reached shore but were immediately captured by the Japanese Army and became Prisoners Of War (POW). All six were taken to the Kemeitai headquarters at Amron. After interrogation, they were all executed by a rifle squad. Afterwards, natives from a nearby village were conscripted to dig their graves and bury the bodies. Recovery of Remains During 1948, a New Guinea native informed American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) about a grave at Amron. Exhumed, the remains of three individuals were recovered. Three years later, they were identified as Gullette, Mahan, and Lamb. The recovered remains were transported to the Philippines and United States for permanent burial. Hallack were never located and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. In early March 1952 Gullette was buried in the Grove Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas, TX. In 1952, Harbert was buried at IOOF Cemetery (today known as Wallace Lions Cemetery) in Harrison County, WV. Mahan is buried at Manila American Cemetery at Plot L Row 14 Grave 22. Lamb is buried at Willamette National Cemetery, Happy Valley, OR at section G site 2640. Duggins is buried at New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, MD at plot KK-282. Harbert is presumed to be buried in a private cemetery in his hometown. Hallack was officially declared dead on January 15, 1946. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Hallack is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Relatives David W. Brooks adds (nephew of Duggins) "Lt Duggins is my uncle on my mother's side. He grew up in Baltimore and is buried there in the New Catholic Cemetery. I never had a chance to meet "Uncle Jack" but decided to investigate his history and wartime service." References Note: This aircraft was incorrectly listed by RAAF and CILHI in records as 41-30572 NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Frank E. Gullette, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Jackson D. Harbert NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John R. Duggins NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Glen A. Lamb NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles H. Mahan NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Jack G. Hallack USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-15 Mitchell 41-30522 Missing Air Crew Report 1146 (MACR 1146) NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File does not list any of the crew as official POWs of the Japanese, which is normal for POWs captured in New Guinea that were executed. FindAGrave - Lieut Frank E. Gullette, Jr (grave photo, obituary) FindAGrave - Jackson Dye Harbert (Wallace Lions Cemetery) FindAGrave - Lieut John R Duggins (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Glen A Lamb (grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles H. Mahan American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack G. Hallack Warpath Across the Pacific (1996) pages 92, 367, 392 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-25  POW / MIA 6 Prisoners 1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
