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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 498th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt Victor V. Brooksby, O-520695 (MIA / KIA) Fredonia, AZ Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Frank A. Gerber, O-793405 (MIA / KIA) NJ Bombardier 1st Lt Robert E. Gagen, O-664775 (MIA / KIA) Des Moines, IA Engineer Cpl Ephraim R. Poole, 13047386 (MIA / KIA) Columbia, PA Radio T/Sgt Paul B. Drinkard, 35380345 (MIA / KIA) Wheeling, WV Gunner S/Sgt Adam V. Domijan, 11072294 (MIA / KIA) New Britain, CT MIA July 14, 1943 at 6:30pm MACR 15258 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 94-12701. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C-10 Mitchell serial number 42-32293. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacfic to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS). 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 at roughly 4:00pm took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Victor V. Brooksby 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 at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Brooksby earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Fredonia Cemetery in Fredonia, AZ. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C-10 Mitchell 42-32293 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 Versailles Brooksby (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Victor Versailles Brooksby (obituary, photo, memorial marker photo) 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
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 B-25  MIA 6 Missing  Map #1 July 14, 1943 Map #2 July 14, 1943 |
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