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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 13th AF 42nd BG 100th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. John W. Mangum, O-751383 (KIA, BR) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Clarence W. Acker, O-765211 (KIA, BR) Sulphur Springs, TX Navigator 2nd Lt. Thomas F. Quinn, O-569858 (KIA, BR) Radio Cpl Philip Arkuss, 32802439 (KIA, BR) Engineer Sgt Carl V. E. Snyder, 35867076 (KIA, BR) Franklin County, OH Gunner Cpl Wallace E. Hough, 12199927 (KIA, BR) St. Lawrence County, NY Crashed January 11, 1945 MACR 15661 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) at Air Force Plant NC at Fairfax Field near Kansas City, KS. Constructors Number 108-34992. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25J-5-NC Mitchell serial number 43-27979. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then 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 nose art or nickname. When lost, engine and weapon serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 15661 (MACR 15661). Mission History On January 11, 1945 took off from Sansapor Airfield (Mar) piloted by 2nd Lt. John W. Mangum on a low level bombing and strafing mission against Kendari Airfield on southeast Celebes (Sulawesi). Over the target, it was believed this B-25 was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the right engine just after releasing their bombs and was observed to with the bomb bay doors still open on fire and crashed and exploded on a ridge roughly 6,000' to the west of Kendari. There was no chance for any of the crew to escape and all are presumed to have been killed on impact. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). An eyewitness recalled in after action report (Mission Report #245): "It is believed that the aircraft was hit in the right engine just after dropping its bombs in the target area. The plane was observed to slowly settle while on fire. It crashed and exploded on a ridge 6,000' west of the target area P-1 at Kendari. The bombay doors were still open when the plane exploded. There was no chance for any of the crew to escape alive." Recovery of Remains After the war, the remains of the crew were recovered and transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials On August 16, 1949 the entire crew was buried at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in a group burial at section E site 145-146. Relatives Christopher P. Brown (nephew) "My Uncle was Thomas Quinn. I am hoping that those of you who search for aircraft remains in the S.W. Pacific may have information on, or have seen, the wreckage of my Uncle's B-25, and provide specific details as to its location and status. Quinn had completed his rotation and was due to be redeployed back to the U.S., the CO asked if he would volunteer for two additional missions. He was a B-25J pilot, but filled in as the navigator on the doomed flight. Shortly after receiving the MACR I located the 80 yr old wife of Clarence Acker, and she states that he was the pilot, not the co-pilot (I found her name by researching the WWII Memorial site for his listing and her name was posted." References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Clarence W. Acker NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Carl V. E. Snyder NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wallace E. Hough USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25J-5-NC Mitchell 43-27979 "27979 shot down by AAA after bombing Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island Jan 11, 1945. Crew of 6 KIA." Missing Air Crew Report 15661 (MACR 15661) FindAGrave - 2LT John W Mangum (group burial photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Clarence Ward “Buck” Acker (group burial photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Thomas F Quinn (group burial photo) FindAGrave - CPL Philip Arkuss (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SGT Carl V. E. Snyder (group burial photo) FindAGrave - CPL Wallace E. Hough (group burial photo) 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  MIA 6 Missing Resolved |
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