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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 13th AF 42nd BG 75th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt Robert W. Wendling, O-736586 (MIA / KIA) IN Co-Pilot 2nd Lt John F. Viets, O-736584 (MIA / KIA) NB Bombardier / Navigator 1st Lt George H. Stoecker, O-725099 (MIA / KIA) WI Engineer SSgt Harold H. Hensley, 18041588 (MIA / KIA) TX Radio TSgt Ward P. Haines, Jr, 36121041 (MIA / KIA) MI Gunner SSgt Carl H. Martin, 18007120 (MIA / KIA) TX Passenger Captain Charles D. Bergman, O-433049 390th BS (MIA / KIA) TX Passenger 1st Lt John J. Schirp, O-1550911 Ordnance Dept (MIA / KIA) MS MIA October 12, 1943 at 11:00am MACR 1222 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C-20 Mitchell serial number 42-64571. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field 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", 75th Bombardment Squadron (75th BS). No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 42-273676 and 42-271143. Mission History On October 12, 1943 took off from Espirito Santo pilot 1st Lt Robert W. Wendling as one of two B-25s leading a flight of ten P-39 Airacobras bound for Carney Field on Guadalcanal. When the formation reached San CristobaI, they were forced down to 1,000' due to low scattered clouds. About twenty miles off the tip of Guadalcanal the formation ran into a solid front, and made a 180 degree turn and climbed. This bomber disappeared into a cloud along with the Airacobras. Radio conversation was heard between the Airacobras and the B-25, but it failed to arrive and was never seen again. Search A PBY Catalina searched the general vicinity of south-western Guadalcanal to Russell with negative results. Searches continued the following day to San CristobaI and produced negative results. PBY Catalinas searched until October 16th for this bomber. 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 mising. 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 8 Missing |
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