Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U.S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to the Central Pacific.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 7th Air Force, 41st Bombardment Group, 47th Bombardment Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers left 41-28264 right 41-30310. Aboard were nine .50 caliber machine gins and one 75mm cannon serial numbers unknown.

Mission History
On January 28, 1944 took off from Apamama Airfield (O'Hare Field) on a bombing mission against Taroa Island. Weather was Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited (CAVU). Over the target, a fire was observed coming out of the bomb bay rear of the cockpit and made a slow turn to the left passing directly under B-25 42-64916 and released the nose escape hatch before hitting the water in a flat spin before impacting in nearly a 3 point attitude. On impact, a terrific spray was observed and black smoke enveloped the crash site roughly 3/4 of a mile east of Taroa Island. When the bomber failed to return the entire crew was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead January 17, 1946 and earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at the courts of the missing on court 7.

Miller also has a memorial marker at Knollwood Cemetery in Mayfield Heights, OH at section 41.
Homeyer also has a memorial marker at Oak Hill Cemetery in Burton TX.

References
Missing Air Crew Report 2054 (MACR 2054)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert L. Cecil
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John H. Campbell
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Melvin E Miller
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Clayton H. Fisher
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wilbur A. Homeyer
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - David Levin
FindAGrave - Lieut Robert L Cecil (courts of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 2Lt John H Campbell (courts of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 2Lt Melvin E Miller (courts of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Lieut Melvin Edwin Miller (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - TSgt Clayton H Fisher (courts of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Wilbur E Homeyer (memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Wilbur A Homeyer (courts of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt David Levin (courts of the missing photo)
In Memory of those Killed or Missing in Action - Members Of the 47th that were Killed or Missing in Action

Last Updated
February 18, 2020