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| USAAF 13th AF 42nd BG 390th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Austin W. Eivers, O-724911 (survived) Portland, OR Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. William E. Eliason, O-795375 (survived) Trenton, NJ Bomb/Nav 1st Lt. John W. Kalpass, O-725070 (survived) Engineer S/Sgt Robert E. Adams, 13028100 (survived) Philadelphia, PA Radio S/Sgt Lloyd V. Johnson, 37449536 (survived) Gunner S/Sgt Earl "Karl" T. Oliphant, 36121046 (survived) Detroit, MI MIA October 6, 1943 at 7:15pm MACR 787 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 87-16442. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C-20 Mitchell serial number 42-64563. Converted into a B-25G Mitchell. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 42nd Bombardment Group (42nd BG) "The Crusaders", 390th Bombardment Squadron (390th BS). No known nose art or nickname. When lost engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 42-271230 and 42-271248. This aircraft was armed with a 75mm cannon, eight .50 caliber machine guns plus two .30 caliber machine guns, serial numbers not listed in MACR 787. Mission History On October 6, 1943 took off from Carney Field on Guadalcanal on a low level bombing and strafing mission over Kahili Airfield. Weather was 8/10 clouds with visibility of 10-15 miles. Over the target, it was believed the right engine or propeller was damaged causing a runaway propeller that caused the engine to catch fire. Last sighted at 7:15pm between Shortland and Vella LaVella. When this aircraft failed to return, the entire crew was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). In fact, this B-25 ditched and the entire crew survived and deployed their life rafts. Search Three search missions were flown in search of this aircraft. On October 7, 1943 eight aircraft searched from Guadalcanal to Ondonga Airfield for four hours, 14 minutes without result. On October 8, 1943 six aircraft searched from Guadalcanal to a point north of Vella LaVella for four hours, 9 minutes without result. Another search spanned from Guadalcanal to a point to the southwest without results for 3 hours, 10 minutes. Rescue On October 9, 1943 the entire crew was rescued. Memorials Eivers retired from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with the rank of Major. He passed away March 18, 1986. Eivers is buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR at row D, grave 2370. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C-20 Mitchell 42-64563 "64563 converted to B-25G. With 42nd BG (M), 390th BS, shot down by AAA between Shortland Island and Vella LaVella Oct 6, 1943 in Solomons. MACR 787. Entire crew rescued." MACR 787 (MACR 787) The Crusaders A History of the 42nd Bombardment Group (M) page 45 FindAGrave - Austin W Eivers (grave photo) FindA Grave - Earl T Oliphant (grave 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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