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Pilot 2nd Lt. Lee M. Wiggins, O-795447 (rescued) Darlington, SC Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. George E. Nellis, O-798018 (MIA / KIA) Spencer, WV Navigator-Bombardier 2nd Lt. Bernard Sperling, O-798902 (rescued) Engineer Sgt Frank M. Zabielski, 36351932 (rescued) Radio SSgt Domenic Comolli, 31109399 (rescued) Hillsborough, NN Gunner SSgt Raymond Schutrum, 32138272 (rescued) Rochester, NY Ditched July 28, 1943 MACR 10 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25G-5 Mitchell serial number 42-64868. Wartime History Assigned to Ferry Command. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial number 42-46639 and 42-23856. No weapons were aboard when lost. Mission History On July 28, 1943 took off from Hamilton Field piloted by 2nd Lt. Lee M. Wiggins on a ferry flight bound for Hickam Field on Oahu. The weather was high broken clouds at 12,000' with .4 to .6 cumulus with base at 2,000' and tops at 6,500' and winds surface 4,000' 60° to 80° at 14-18 knots. Over the Pacific Ocean, this B-25 suffered engine failure. Last contacted by radio station KSF (CAA Station) with the bomber's position calculated to be at roughly Lat 26.5 N Long 147.8 W. When this B-25 failed to arrive it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search When this aircraft failed to arrive, the officer in charge of the search was Major D. C. Barrow, Jr., O-295394. Two PB2Ys from NAS Pearl Harbor took off at 8:06pm (GCT) to search the area where this B-25 was last reported. Another PB2Y and one Clipper departed Treasure Island at 5:00pm and 8:00pm (PST) respectively to search the last known position, without results. Fates of the Crew In fact, the entire crew survived and were later rescued. All six returned to duty. Memorials Schutrum was assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group, 33rd Bombardment Squadron. On September 1, 1944 he went Missing In Action (MIA) as a gunner aboard B-24J "Ole Tomato" 42-100291 over Philippines. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery at the tablets of the missing. Later, Nellis was assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group, 33rd Bombardment Squadron. On February 28 , 1944 he went went Missing In Action (MIA) piloting B-24J Liberator 42-100292 off Queensland in Australia. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery at the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Saint Marys in Pleasants County, WV. Zabielski passed away on October 16, 1989. He is buried at Crystal Lake Memorial Park in Ridgefield, IL. Comolli passed away on August 17, 2002. He is buried at Edgewood Cemetery in Hillsborough, NH at Chapel Section, Lot 140, Space 1. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Lee M. Wiggins NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George E. Nellis NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Frank M. Zabielski NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Domenic Comolli NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Raymond Schutrum USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25G-5 Mitchell 42-64868 "Lost Jul 28, 1943, Pacific. MACR 10." Missing Air Crew Report 10 (MACR 10) created July 29, 1943 FindAGrave - 2Lt George E Nellis (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Lieut George E Nellis (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Frank M Zabielski (grave photo) FindAGrave - Domenic “Finnie” Comolli (grave photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Raymond Schutrum (tablets of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Raymond Schutrum 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  Map July 28, 1943 |
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