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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 501st BS   80th FS Nov 2, 1943   501st BS Jan 30, 1944 |
Pilot Captain John M. Manders, O-724790 (MIA / KIA) CA Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Thomas P. Clark, Jr., O-734194 (MIA / KIA) McKinley County, NM Navigator 2nd Lt. Stephen P. Toth, O-797098 (MIA / KIA) NY Radio-Gunner SSgt Fred J. Tencza, 32556490 (MIA / KIA) NJ Engineer-Gunner SSgt Henry C. Rensick, 39388061 (MIA / KIA) O'Brien County, IA Gunner SSgt James L. Brown, 18066095 (MIA / KIA) Vernon, TX MIA January 30, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8759. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-20 Mitchell serial number 41-30594. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 501st Bombardment Squadron (501st BS) "Black Panthers". Nicknamed "Arkansas Traveler". On November 2, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by Captain Manders a low level strike mission against Rabaul. Inbound to the target, photographed escorted by P-38 Lightnings from 80th Fighter Squadron including P-38G 42-12705 and P-38H 42-66835. Over the target, Manders observed the ditching of B-25D "Hellzapoppin" 41-30094. Afterwards, a flight of B-25s led by this bomber attempted to provide cover over the ditching site and fought off a group of Zeros attempting to make strafing passes on the downed bomber. Mission History On January 30, 1944 took off from Horanda No. 4 (Dobodura 4) piloted by Captain John M. Manders on a low level strike against Japanese shipping in Hansa Bay. Over the target, hit by 75mm anti-aircraft fire from guns commanded by Japanese Army Captain Umanosake Mitatera emplaced on the nearby coastline. When hit, this B-25 explode and crashed into Hansa Bay near a Japanese ship targeted during the attack. Flying on the right wing of this bomber, B-25D "Herky" 41-30069 photographed moments after this B-25 crashed just as B-25D-1 "Quitch" 41-30518 scored a hit on the nearby Japanese ship. When this plane failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). 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. Manders was recommended for the Medal of Honor (MOH) for allegedly ramming and sinking the Japanese ship, but eyewitness accounts and the photograph moments after this B-25 crashed concluded he did not hit the ship and the award was downgraded to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He also earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Clark earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at plot MD 0 6. Toth earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Tencza earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Rensick earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Brown earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Eastview Memorial Park in Vernon, TX at Block 7 lot 9 space 2. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John M. Manders USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D Mitchell 41-30594 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30594 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John M. Manders American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas P. Clark Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Stephen P. Toth American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Fred J. Tencza American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Henry C. Rensink American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James L. Brown FindAGrave - Capt John M Manders (photos, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt Thomas Patrick Clark, Jr (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Thomas Patrick Clark (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 1Lt Stephen P Toth (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt Fred J Tencza (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Henry C Rensink (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - SSgt James L Brown (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - James Lindsey "Bubba" Brown (memorial marker photo) "Bubba was the darling of the family, The only boy and the youngest child, he had a sunny disposition and was a friendly happy child. The only nephew old enough to remember him has vivid memories of his beautiful singing voice. Everyone around said he sang better than Frank Sinatra. His family was devastated at his death." Warpath Across The Pacific (2008) pages 117, 368 Thanks to Larry Hickey and Edward Rogers for additional information 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 |
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