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| USAAF 5th AF 312th BG 389th BS Former Assignments 22nd BG 408th BS  Ullmann Dec 1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Albert C. Eddy, O-663137 389th BS (MIA / KIA) Cedar Rapids, IA Co-Pilot F/O Ralph D. Preston, T-001850 389th BS (MIA / KIA) Tulsa, OK Radio S/Sgt Albert G. Brockhouse, 16017970 389th BS (MIA / KIA) Beardstown, IL Crew Chief S/Sgt James W. Mac Elveen, 12061500 (MIA / KIA) Queens Village, NY Passenger Sgt Thomas R. Shearin, 13086833 (MIA / KIA) Uniontown, PA Passenger SSgt George H. Emery, 11106744 (MIA / KIA) Athol, MA Passenger SSgt Anthony F. Di Berardine, 11102173 (MIA / KIA) Darien, CT Passenger SSgt Arthur J. Marcus, 12146645 (MIA / KIA) Cedar Hurst, NY Passenger Sgt Sidney Schnell, 12014609 (MIA / KIA) Brooklyn, NY Passenger SSgt Nevin S. Weiss, 39168997 (MIA / KIA) Endicott, NY Passenger Sgt John J. McKenna, 6644681 388th BS (MIA / KIA) Yongstown, OH Passenger TSgt Richard J. Anthony, 13030619 388th BS (MIA / KIA) Jersey City, NJ MIA October 11, 1944 MACR 9457 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-15 Mitchell serial number 41-30525. This B-25 was assigned to Savannah, Georgia for training bomber crews. Nicknamed "Five Minutes to Mid-Night" with the nose art of a cowboy on a horse inside a white circle. The name was picked by pilot 2nd Lt. Jarry J. Copsey who prior to enlisting was a cowboy from Broken Bow, Nebraska. The nickname and nose art relates to a famous rodeo horse "Five Minutes to Midnight" popular in the rodeo circuit. The artwork was painted by 2nd Lt. Steve N. Karall. In the middle of 1943, ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Likely, flown by pilot 2nd Lt. Jarry J. Copsey, co-pilot 2nd Lt Otto W. Leib, navigator 2nd Lt. Joseph F. Kent, Jr. bombardier 2nd Lt. Leonard Teitelbaum, engineer SSgt. Frederick E. Pelegrin, radio SSgt. Warren J. Carstens and armorer-gunner S/Sgt. Russell W. Lowery. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 408th Bombardment Squadron (408th BS). On October 14, 1943 flew its first combat mission in New Guinea. The ground crew painted "Moan" on the outboard side of the left engine cowling. By December 1943, this bomber had flown at least 21 bombing missions. By the end of January 1944 flew a total of 44 missions. Below the pilot's window was a scoreboard with bomb markings indicating combat missions flown. During February 1944 transfered to the 5th Bomber Command Replacement Pool when the squadron began converting to the B-24 Liberator. In September 1944, assigned to the 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG), 389th Bombardment Squadron (389th BS) as a "fat cat" transport aircraft. When lost, engines: R-2600-13 serial numbers (left) 42-271575 and (right) 42-22939. Armed with seven .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On October 11, 1944 at 7:55am took off from Hollandia Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Albert C. Eddy as one of two B-25s on an flight bound for Nadzab Airfield. Aboard were eight passengers, enlisted men from the 388th Bombardment Squadron (388th BS) and 389th Bombardment Squadron (389th BS) that were eligible to be rotated back to the United States. The weather was cloudy with intermittent moderate showers from 1,500-2,500' and visibility of 8-12 miles. This B-25 was last seen on take off. Presumed lost in the Sepik River area, possibly the Annanberg area. When this aircraft failed to arrive it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search When no word of arrival was received from Nadzab by 18:00, the AACS station was notified and contacted Nadzab any information. On October 12, 1944 all stations south of Hollandia were checked, in case the crew diverted to another location. At 13:00, three aircraft from the 312th BG led by Major Graber searched the coast from Hollandia to Wewak and returned, sighting nothing. Air Sea Rescue was also notified to search. On October 13, 1944 at 8:00 eight planes from the 312th BG led by Col. Strauss searched from Hollandia to Tadji, But, Boram and Hansa Bay, sighting nothing. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Eddy, Emery, Schnell and Weiss earned the Air Medal. Di Berardine and Marcus earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Marcus also has a memorial marker at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, CA. Anthony also has a memorial marker at St. Paul's Indianland Church Cemetery in Cherryville, PA. Relatives Diana McKenna Dusa (daughter of McKenna) "I was thrilled beyond belief to discover all the info available about the loss of the plane on Pacific Wrecks." References ProRodeo Hall of Fame - Five Minutes to Midnight USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-15 Mitchell 41-30525 "30525 (312th BG) lost Oct 11, 1944. MACR 9457" Missing Air Crew Report 9457 (MACR 9457) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D-1 Mitchell 41-30525 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Albert C. Eddy American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ralph D. Preston American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Albert G. Brockhouse American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James W. Mac Elveen American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas R. Shearin American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George H. Emery American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Anthony F. Di Berardine American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Arthur J. Marcus American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Sidney Schnell American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Nevin S. Weiss American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John J. McKenna American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Richard J. Anthony FindAGrave - 1Lt Albert C Eddy (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - FltOff Ralph Dean Preston (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Albert G Brockhouse (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSGT James W. Mac Elveen (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Thomas R Shearin (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt George H Emery (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Anthony F Di Berardine (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Arthur J Marcus (tablets of the missing) FIndAGrave - Arthur Joseph Marcus (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Sidney Schnell (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Nevin S Weiss (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Sgt John J McKenna (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - TSgt Richard J. "Richie" Anthony (photo, memorial marker photo, obituary) Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) profile Rampage of the Roaring 20s (2009) pages 166-167, 350, 366 IHRA - Five Minutes to Midnight profile on "Five Minutes To Midnight" October 16, 2015 (photo) 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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