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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 13th AF 42nd BG 69th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Edward P. Ernest, O-662439 (MIA / KIA, BR) Pittsburgh, PA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. William A. Wightman, O-795538 (MIA / KIA, BR) Jamesville, NY Navigator 2nd Lt. Burton D. Simon, O-741709 (MIA / KIA, BR) Engineer SSgt Homer E. Shriner, 17058505 (MIA / KIA, BR) Saint Joseph, MO Radio SSgt Robert M Johnson, 39610287 (MIA / KIA, BR) Frederick, SD Gunner SSgt Paul A. Reed, 13080521 (MIA / KIA, BR) PA Gunner Sgt Wilbur C. Overly, 27053709 (MIA / KIA, BR) Hardin County, OH MIA November 29, 1943 MACR 1185 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 96-16655. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C-25 Mitchell serial number 42-42-64776. 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", 69th Bombardment Squadron (69th BS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 42-271362 and 43-23036. Aboard were .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers unknown plus two .30 caliber machine guns, makers unknown serial numbers unknown. Mission History On November 29, 1943 took off from Banika Field (Sunlight) in the Russell Islands on a barge hunting mission over Tinputs on eastern Bougainville. The weather was 3/10 cumulus with a base at 6,000' with visibility unlimited. Last seen at an altitude of 1,500' over Puk Puk Island (Bakawari Island) east of Kieta when it salvoed its bomb load and went into a spin then exploded roughly 20 yards inland from the southeast edge of Puk Puk Island (Bakawari Island). None of the crew were observed to bail out by other bombers in the formation. When this bomber failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search After the crash, B-25 piloted by 1st Lt. Jack P. Christian circled the crash site twice and did not observe any sign of the crew then departed for the Russell Islands. Recovery of Remains During December 1945 the remains of the crew were recovered from the crash site. Pilot Ernest was individually identified and the rest of the crew were not. Their remains were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Ernest is buried at Allegheny County Memorial Park in Allison Park, PA. The rest of the crew: Wightman, Simon, Shriner, Johnston, Reed and Overly are buried in a group burial at at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at section R, site 76. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Edward P. Ernest NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William A. Wightman NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Burton D. Simon (one of two possibilities) NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Homer E. Shriner NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert M Johnson NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Paul A. Reed NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wilbur C. Overly USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C-25 Mitchell 42-64776 "64705 (42nd BG) lost Jun 5, 1944. MACR 5660." Missing Air Crew Report 1185 (MACR 1185) created December 1, 1943 FindAGrave - Edward Ernest (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2LT William Allen Wightman (photo, group burial) FindAGrave - Burton D. Simon (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Homer Edward Shriner Jr. (group burial photo) FindAGrave - Robert M Johnson (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Paul A Reed (photo, group burial) FindAGrave - Wilbur Charles Overly (group burial 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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