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| USAAF 5th AF 71st TRG 17th TRS  Spriggs c1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Earl D. Spriggs, Jr., O-735832 17th TRS (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger Captain Edward F. Bradley, O-48376 17th TRS (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger 1st Charles E. Poland, O-434933 82nd Tactical Recon Squadron (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger 1st Lt. Fletcher C. Abernathy, O-1016654 25th Liaison Squadron (MIA / KIA, BR) Aspen Hill, TN Passenger SSgt William F. Robertson III, 13113188 17th TRS (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger SSgt Paul M. Williams, 20758692 17th TRS (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger SSgt Claude L. Green, 38024406 25th Liaison Squadron (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger SSgt Glyn F. Trammell, 38136769 25th Liaison Squadron (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger Cpl Arthur F. D'Alessandro, 32888550 71st Tactical Recon Squadron (MIA / KIA, BR) Passenger 2nd Lt. Claude M. Loe, Jr., 19092724 (MIA / KIA, BR) MIA July 28, 1944 MACR 7012 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Order Number AC-19341 funds F-1 at a cost of $181,074. Constructors Number 100-20640. On August 17, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-25 Mitchell serial number 42-87287. Afterwards, to the Kansas modification center. On October 31, 1943 at Savannah GA. On December 3, 1943 departs for "Left" (New Guinea). Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to New Guinea. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG), 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (17th TRS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-2600-19 serial number 43-37531 and R-2600-13 serial number 43-23472. Weapon serial numbers 939314, 448251, 449168, 11626, 211394, 228038, 448958, 211760, 75470, 448635, 70822, 411815. Mission History On July 28, 1944 at 8:44am took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 3 pilot 1st Lt. Earl D. Spriggs, Jr. on a courier flight bound for Mokmer Drome on Biak Island. Aboard were passengers including an unmanifested passenger 2nd Lt. Claude M. Loe, Jr. The weather was scattered clouds en route and rain showers. This B-25 was last seen after take off. When this aircraft failed to arrive it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Officially, this aircraft was written off October 2, 1944. Search On August 2, 1944 an Air Sea Rescue search mission led by 1st Lt. Byron K. Brown was flown by two Catalina and one B-25 that departed from Nadzab and searched the flight route to Hollandia without result. Also, L-5s based at Wakde, Hollandia and Tadji searched unsuccessfully. Wreckage This B-25 crashed to the west of the Kisengam Gap, roughly 12 miles northwest of Nadzab. Recovery of Remains Postwar, American Graves Registration Service (AGRS), 5A Detachment visited the crash site and recovered remains of the crew. Afterwards, the remains of the crew were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, the enter crew: Spriggs, Bradley, Poland, Abernathy, Robertson, Williams, Green, Trammell, D'Alessandro and Loe were buried on April 18, 1951 in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at section 84 sites 42-44. Spriggs also has a memorial marker at Enon Cemetery in Enon, OH. The epitaph reads "Lt. Earl D. Spriggs, Jr. Born Sept 7, 1919 Pilot of B-25 5th Air Force Missing In Action in New Guinea July 28, 1944" with a B-25 Mitchell. Abernathy also has a memorial marker at Maplewood Cemetery in Pulaski, TN. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Earl D. Spriggs, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Edward F. Bradley NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Fletcher C. Abernathy NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William F. Robertson III NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Paul M. Williams NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Claude L. Green NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Glyn F. Trammell NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Arthur F. DAlessandro surname actually "D'Alessandro" NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Claude M. Loe, Jr. Individual Aircraft Record Card (IARC) - B-25D-25 Mitchell 42-87287 USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-25 Mitchell 42-87287 Missing Air Crew Report 7012 (MACR 7012) page 7 incorrectly states unmanifested passenger was 1st Lt. Edward F. Leidniberg, O-760470 RAAF Casualty Card - Mitchell B25D 42-87287 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25 42-87287 FindAGrave - Earl D Spriggs, Jr (photo, group burial photos) FindAGrave - Lieut Earl David Spriggs Jr. (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Edward F Bradley (group burial photos) FindAGrave - Charles E Poland (group burial photos) FindAGrave - Lieut Fletcher C. Abernathy (group burial photos) FindAGrave - Fletcher C. Abernathy (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - William F Robertson (group burial photos) FindAGrave - Paul M Williams (group burial photos) FindAGrave - Claude L Green (group burial photos) FindAGrave - Sgt Glyn Francis Trammell (photo, group burial photos) FindAGrave - Claude M Loe, Jr (photo, group burial photos) "His mother sent flowers every year but never was able to make the trip to see his grave." FindAGrave - Arthur F D'Alessandro (group burial photos) 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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