Aircraft History
Built by North American in Inglewood, California. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 345th Bombardment Group, 498th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "RHIP". When lost, engines: R-2600-13 left 42-477548 and right 42-47537. Weapon serial numbers not noted in Missing Air Crew Report 15258 (MACR 15258).

Mission History
On July 14, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby at roughly 4:00pm on a patrol mission over the southern coast of New Guinea to protect Allied shipping en route from Australia to New Guinea. The weather was limited visibility with a low ceiling and light showers.

At approximately 6:00pm, this B-25 was observed by a destroyer in the vicinity of the south coast of New Guinea. The aircraft was last sighted disappearing from view, although it was not seen to crash into the sea. When the B-25 failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). This aircraft was believed to have crashed at approximately 6:30pm into the sea south of Hood Point.

Search
When this B-25 failed to return, B-25s from the 498th Bombardment Squadron began searching, but failed to find any trace of the missing plane. No wreckage or evidence was ever located.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Brooksby has a cenotaph memorial marker at Fredonia Cemetery in Fredonia, AZ.

References
Missing Air Crew Report 15258 (MACR 15258)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Victor V. Brooksby
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frank A. Gerber Jr.
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert E. Gagen
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ephraim R. Poole
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Paul B. Drinkard
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Adam V. Domijan
FindAGrave - 2Lt Victor V Brooksby (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Victor Versailles Brooksby (obituary, photo, memorial marker)
FindAGrave - 2Lt Frank A Gerber (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 1Lt Robert E Gagen
FindAGrave - Corp Ephraim R Poole (photo)
FindAGrave - TSgt Paul B Drinkard (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Sgt Paul Banford Drinkard (tablets of the missing photo)

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
June 29, 2019