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| USAAF 5th AF 71st TRG 17th TRS   John Stava via Combat Recon 1943 |
Pilot Captain Lon F. Brown, O-416999 (MIA / KIA) Butte County, SD Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Joseph T. Sproules, O-676665 (MIA / KIA) Santa Clara County, CA Navigator 1st Lt Frederic E. Harburg, O-418293 (MIA / KIA) Jefferson County, CO Gunner Sgt Michael R. Maggio, 12034423 (MIA / KIA) Cape May County, NJ Radio SSgt Ralph E. Samuelson, 36395103 (MIA / KIA) Cook County, IL Photographer-Gunner SSgt Sterling E. Wilkinson, 39680466 (MIA / KIA) Preston, ID MIA February 6, 1944 at 2:20pm MACR 16161 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). At the factory, painted with olive drab upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-25 Mitchell serial number 42-87286. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG), 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (17th TRS). Nicknamed "Sticky Kitty" painted in yellow on the left side of the nose. Number 286 (last three digits of the serial number). Both tails had a white tab on the bottom and a thin white vertical stripe. On the left side of the nose below the cockpit canopy was a scoreboard yellow bomb markings indicating missions flown, some with a star above them (three rows of bombs: first row 20, second row 20 and third row 4 bombs). This B-25 flew at least 44 combat missions before being lost. When lost, engine and weapon serial numbers are not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 16161 (MACR 16161). Mission History On February 6, 1944 took off from Finschafen Airfield piloted by Captain Lon F. Brown as one of three B-25s from "C" flight (including B-25 #295 and B-25 #280) on an armed reconnaissance mission over Bunabun Harbor on the north coast of New Guinea. Over the target, this B-25 was flying in the center of the formation and dropped from 1,500' down to 100' and attacked at low level five partly camouflaged Japanese barges loaded with supplies. Suddenly, heavy anti-aircraft fire erupted from the area, apparently from 75mm and 40mm guns firing 10-15 second bursts that were intense and accurate at the bomber formation. This B-25's left engine was hit, followed by the right engine causing it to disintegrated and crash into Bunabun Harbor. The nose section was also seen falling into the sea burning. 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 missing. Brown earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. Sproules earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Harburg earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at section MK, site 204. Maggio earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Samuelson earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Wilkinson earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Wreckage On May 27, 1946 a RAAF Searcher Party led by S/L Keith Rundle visited Uligan Harbor and interviewed native people about aircraft losses in the area. They led the party to the wreckage of a twin engined aircraft in shallow water. An engine cowling with "B-25 42-87286 L" was located at the site plus many part numbers. The team believed that if any remains were located in the aircraft they were now gone due to exposure to high seas. The local people heard a rumor that the Japanese Army captured and executed the crew. This information was relayed to American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) at Finschafen. References Other sources incorrectly list this aircraft as B-25D 42-87280 USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-25 Mitchell 42-87286 Missing Air Crew Report 16161 (MACR 16161) was created retroactively circa 1945-1946 and lists this aircraft as "B-25D 286" (last three digits of serial number only) Another source lists the crew was captured and executed by the Japanese Army Royal Australian Air Force Survey of Wreckage in Papua and New Guinea, B-25D 42-87286 number 313, page 9 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lon F. Brown date of death listed incorrectly April 6, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph T. Sproules American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frederic E. Harburg American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Michael R. Maggio American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ralph E. Samuelson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Sterling E. Wilkinson FindAGrave - Capt Lon F Brown (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lon Fisher Brown (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt Joseph T Sproules (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Capt Frederic E Harburg (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Frederic E Harburg (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Sgt Michael R Maggio (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Ralph E Samuelson (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Sterling E Wilkinson (obituary, tablets of the missing photo) Combat Recon by Robert Stava page 86 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  Photo Archive  MIA 6 Missing  Approx 4.40 145.35 |
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