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| USAAF 11th AF 28th BG 77th BS  USAAF c1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt Leonard G. Larsen, O-556063 (MIA / KIA) Dallas, TX Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Joseph F. Jellinghausen, Jr., O-778167 (MIA / KIA) Duncan, AZ Nav-Bomb 2nd Lt Reno D. Zambonini (MIA / KIA) Prescott, AZ Engineer Cpl Israel S. Port, 39577074 (MIA / KIA) Los Angeles, CA Radio Cpl William A. Biggs, 15120503 (MIA / KIA) Columbus, OH Gunner Cpl Thomas C. Barnes, Jr., 34586171 (MIA / KIA) Birmingham, AL Crashed May 10, 1945 at 9:25pm MACR 14408 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) at Air Force Plant NC at Fairfax Field near Kansas City, KS. Constructors Number 108-35535. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25J-10-NC Mitchell serial number 43-36149. Ferried to Alaska. Wartime History Assigned to the 11th Air Force (11th AF), 28th Bombardment Group (28th BG), 77th Bombardment Squadron (77th BS). No known no nose art or nickname. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-27762 and 41-29470. Armed with 50 caliber machine gun serial numbers: 1265526, 1291579, 1265573, 1291260, 129??5, 1291?44, 1291555, 1291534, 1265777, 1291395, 1291563, 1264645, 1291576. Mission History On May 10, 1945 took off from Attu Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Leonard G. Larsen on a mission to attack Japanese shipping in the Kurile Strait and Kataoka Harbor off Shumshu Island. The weather was clear over the target. Over the target, this B-25 passed over a large freighter and was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the left engine, causing it to catch fire. It was also believe that his co-pilot Jellinghausen might have been hit. A minute later, it was observed that his left landing gear extended likely due to a loss of hydraulic pressure. Larsen was heard to state over the radio: "This is Larsen in two-five, in flames and going down into the water." He continued to fly for five minuets at a low altitude of only 300' and then slowly descended, ditching approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore, 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up the coast of Shumshu Island. Observed to crash, Sgt Jack Parker a tail gunner in another B-25 stated (MACR 14408 page 6) "It didn't look to me as though anyone could have come out of that crash alive." Search No search was conducted. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing. Larsen, Jellinghausen, Port, Biggs and Barnes on court 7. Zambonini on court 5. Larsen earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, TN. Zambonini earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. Port earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. Biggs earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Oak Grove Cemetery in Georgesville, Ohio. Barnes earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl) at M 29. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25J-10-NC Mitchell 43-36149 "36149 (38th BG) lost May 10, 1945, Alaska. MACR 14408" Missing Air Crew Report 14408 (MACR 14408) created May 11, 1945 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leonard G. Larsen American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph F. Jellinghausen, Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Reno D. Zambonini American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Israel S. Port American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William A. Biggs American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas C. Barnes, Jr. FindAGrave - 1LT Leonard Gage Larsen (photo, courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - LT Leonard G Larsen (photo, memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Joseph Frederick Jellinghausen, Jr (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Reno D Zambonini (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Corp Israel S Port (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Corp William A Biggs (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Corp William Alexander Biggs (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Corp Thomas C Barnes, Jr (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt Thomas H Barnes (memorial marker 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  Map May 10, 1945  MIA 6 Missing |
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