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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 498th BS Former Assignments 22nd BG 2nd BS  345th BG c1943 |
Pilot 2nd Lt Monroe G. Adelman, O-675155 (KIA, BR) NY Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Edward V. Stefanowski, O-888823 (MIA / KIA) Superior, WI Radio S/Sgt John F. Barkau, 35459057 (MIA, KIA) Cincinnati, OH Photographer Sgt Paul W. Denney, 38190601 (MIA / KIA) KS Crashed March 10, 1944 MACR 15101 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-20 Mitchell serial number 41-30632. Ferried oversea via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Converted into a B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History During August 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). Nicknamed "Buzzin' Buzzard" in block letters on the right side of the nose. Assigned to pilot Shelton and later Broomall. On October 14, 1943 took off from Dobodura on the B-25's first combat mission a bombing mission against Alexishafen dump areas. Later, pilot Lt. George L. Barnaskey (345th BG) and his crew with Myron H. Davis, LIFE Magainze photographer were photographed with the plane and the image was later released by ACME on December 10, 1943. In total, this B-25 flew 57 combat missions with the squadron. On January 31, 1944, transferred to the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS). Retained the nickname "Buzzin' Buzzard". Mission History On March 10, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt Monroe G. Adelman on a low level training mission. During the flight, one wing struck the water causing it to crash and immediately sunk into Hessian Bay (Hessen Bay) near Buso. The cause of the accident was unknown and there were no survivors. When this B-25 failed to return, it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Recovery of Remains The body of Lt Adelman was recovered and buried at Nadzab. The rest of the crew were not recovered. Memorials As the flight was non-combat, none of the crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Adelman was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at United Hebrew Cemetery in Staten Island, NY. Stefanowski was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Barkau was officially declared dead officially on July 10, 1944. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Denney was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Bronze Star. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George L. Barnaskey NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-20 Mitchell 41-30632 Missing Air Crew Report 15101 (MACR 15101) FindAGrave - Lieut Monroe G Adelman (photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward V. Stefanowski FindAGrave - 2Lt Edward V Stefanowski (photo, tablets of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John F. Barkau FindAGrave - SSGT John Fred Barkau (tablets of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul W. Denney FindAGrave - SGT Paul Wise Denney (news, tablets of the missing) Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 199, 201 (October 14, 1943), 492 (2nd BS, 41-30632) Warpath Across The Pacific (2008) pages 144, 368, 382, 437 (index Barnaskey) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 22, 2025 |
 B-25  MIA 3 Missing |
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