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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 498th BS   498th BS May 26, 1945 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert J. Knauf, O-786413 (KIA, BR) Albany County, NY Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Martin H. Mulner, Jr. (KIA, BR) Batavia, NY Navigator 1st Lt. Lloyd E. Bodell (MIA / KIA) Monroe, MI Engineer-Gunner Cpl Harold O. Montville, 11037123 (KIA, BR) Providence County, RI Radio-Gunner Sgt Tennyson C. Harrell, 34921478 (KIA, BR) Hamilton County, TN Crashed May 26, 1945 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 108-35482. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25J-10-NC Mitchell serial number 43-36192. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History On October 18, 1944 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS). Nicknamed "Jaunty Jo". Assigned to pilot Cornwall with crew chief Rone. Mission History On May 26, 1945 took off from Clark Field piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert J. Knauf as one of six B-25s from 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS) on a low level strike against Byoritsu oil refinery on Formosa (Taiwan). Over the target, hit by anti-aircraft fire in the left fuel tank. A photograph was taken of the damaged bomber moments before it crashed at the edge of the refinery in a fiery explosion. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of the crew were recovered and transported to Hawaii and the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. On December 8, 1949 Knauf was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at P 689. Mulner is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at P 713. He also has a memorial marker at Our Lady of Good Counsel Cemetery in Darien Center, NY. On November 5, 1949 Bodell was buried at Woodland Cemetery in Monroe, MI. On August 16, 1949 Montville and Harrell were buried in a group burial at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery at section E, grave 96. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25J-10-NC Mitchell 43-36192 "36192 (498th BS, 345th BG) shot down by AAA May 26, 1945 while attacking Byoritsu oil refinery" Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) pages 324-347 (May 26, 1945), 378 (May 26, 1945), 385 (498th BS, 43-36192) FindAGrave - 2LT Robert J Knauf (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - 2LT Martin H Mulner Jr. (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Lt Martin H Mulner (photo, memorial marker) FindAGrave - 1LT Lloyd Edwin Bodell (photo, grave photos) FindAGrave - CPL Harold O Montville (group burial photo) FindAGrave - SGT Tennyson Clark Harrell (photo, obituary, 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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