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| USAAF 13th AF 42nd BG 100th BS  USAAF c1943 |
Pilot Captain Edwin M. Shanks (survived) Evenston, IL Co-Pilot Lt. Antonito F. Alagna (survived) Overland Park, KS Bombardier Lt. James V. Fairley (survived) Jefferson County, AL Navigator 2nd Lt. Creston L. Johnston (survived) Brooklyn, NY Radio-Gunner SSgt Norman Gidley (survived) Photo-Gunner SSgt Denver D. Bergman (survived) Armorer-Gunner SSgt Robert G. Akers, Jr. (survived) Ditched March 8, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-25 Mitchell Serial Number 42-87320. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field 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", 100th Bombardment Squadron (100th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On March 8, 1944 took off from Stirling Airfield piloted by Captain Edwin M. Shanks on a mission against Rabaul. Returning, attacked by fighters that damaged the left engine that seized with the propeller turning uncontrollably. Damaged, this B-25 ditched into Saint Georges Channel off the southern end of New Ireland near Cape Saint George. Fates of the Crew The seven crew survived the ditching and deployed their life raft. The tail gunner suffered a leg fracture during the landing. Afterwards, two Japanese boats approached from a nearby island. Rescue Less than two days later, a RNZAF Catalina NZ4015 piloted by F/O D. S. Beauchamp from 6 Squadron made a successful landing and rescued the crew from the Saint Georges Channel at 2:37pm. During the rescue, two PV-1 Venturas circled overhead. Afterwards, the crew was assigned a new B-25 and returned to flying combat missions. Memorials Shanks passed away on February 26, 2000. He is buried at Marco Island Cemetery in Marco, FL. Alagna retired from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and participated in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. He passed away on May 9, 2003. He is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Johnston passed away on July 10, 1997. He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery in DeLand, FL at plot H lot 133. Gidley passed away on November 16, 2000. He is buried at South Dartmouth Cemetery in Dartmouth, MA. Bergman passed away on November 8, 1999. He is buried at East Lawn Palms Cemetery and Mortuary in Tucson, AZ at block 60. Relatives Tom Townsend (grandson of Johnston) "The plane is not listed in either "Accident Reports" or "Missing Air Crewman Reports", because it was combat related and crew were picked up in less than 48 hours. So it may have slipped through the cracks of known airplane crashes." Creston “Bubba” Johston (son of Johnston) "He was born in Brooklyn NY. I know he was in the ROTC in college at the University of Idaho in Moscow Idaho. But I believe at the time he went overseas his family was living in Bergenfield NJ." References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Edwin M. Shanks NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Antonito F. Alagna NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James V. Fairley NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Creston L. Johnston NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Norman A. Gidley USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-25 Mitchell 42-87320 "A Flier Rescued at Sea - Lt. A. F. Alagna writes wife of incident near Rabaul” “A Sneak Jap Attack” “Despite the outbreak of Bougainville fighting, the Solomon-based planes kept hitting Rabaul. Wednesday [March 8, 1944], Liberators scored 131 hits on the wharf area and were followed in by Mitchell bombers. Crews of the Mitchells said at least twenty-seven buildings in Rabaul proper were destroyed. The plane of Capt. Edwin M. Shanks of Evanston, Ill, was hit by anti-aircraft fire and forced to land near Cape St. George, New Ireland, but a rescue plane saved him and his crew. Among those rescued was Lieut. Antonio F. Alagna of Kansas City, Kansas." The Crusaders A History of the 42nd Bombardment Group (M) page 75 FindAGrave - Edwin M Shanks (grave photo) FindAGrave - Antonito Frank Alagna (grave photo) FindAGrave - Creston L Johnston (grave photo) FindAGrave - Norman Allen Gidley (grave photo) FindAGrave - Denver D. “Denny” Bergman (grave photo) FindAGrave - Robert G. Akers, Jr (grave photo) Historic Dog Tags - Edwin M. Shanks (photo) FindAGrave - Denver D. “Denny” Bergman (grave photo) Thanks to Jim Sawruk and Tom Townsend for additional information 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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