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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 498th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. John Miller, O-748451 (MIA / KIA) Johnsonburg, NJ Bomb-Navigator 2nd Lt. Stanley C. Stickler, O-681830 (MIA / KIA) Newark, NJ Engineer Sgt Howard W. Johnson, 38443844 (MIA / KIA) Northfield, VT Radio SSgt Jack G. Flintom, 34606673 (MIA / KIA) Greensboro, NC Gunner Sgt James F. Rodgers, 6295504 (MIA / KIA) San Antonia, TX Cannoneer Sgt Harry J. Szalanski, 33430131 (MIA / KIA) East Vandergrift, PA Crashed August 1, 1944 MACR number unknown Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 98-21333. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25H-1 Mitchell serial number 43-4332. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History On April 11, 1944 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS) "Falcons". No known nose art or nickname. Crew chief Rone. Mission History On August 1, 1944 took off from Mokmer Airfield on Biak piloted by 2nd Lt. John Miller as one of four B-25s on a armed reconnaissance mission to search for enemy shipping. Over the target, they found a larger lugger and it was attacked with bombs and 75mm cannon fire. While attempting to make a second pass on the sinking lugger, this B-25 struck a coconut tree and crashed into the sea off Kaboe Island (Pulau Yefkabu) in the Radja Ampat Islands. There were no survivors observed after the crash. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). MACR number unknown, February 9, 1945: "c. Place were accident occurred. 130° 30' E, 1° 30' S, on Kaboe Island, NE of Misool Island of the Radja Ampat Group. e. Details: Six (6) B-25H type airplanes took off from from APO 920 [Mokmer Airfield] on an armed recco for enemy shipping. General weather conditions, visibility, enroute and over target were good. The pilot Lt. J. Miller, was making a sea to land pass on a stationary lugger 75 years off shore. Plane went in too low on target and hit plam tree with the left wing. Outer panel on the left wing flew off. The ship then swerved to the left and hit nose first on Kaboe Island. On impact, the plane was observed by crews of other planes in the formation to burst out in flames, totally destroying it, and eliminating any possibile chance of survivors. Lt. E. L. Cranford, pilot on accompanying airplane, circled the wreck for a few minutes, and reported the plane as totally destroyed with no survivors." Memorials The entire crew was declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25H-1 Mitchell 43-4332 "34332 (344th BG, 496th BS) MIA after being hit by AAA Feb 14, 1945. MACR 12386" Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) number unknown created February 9, 1945 American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - John Miller American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Stanley C. Stickler American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Howard W. Johnson American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Jack G. Flintom American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - James F. Rodgers American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Harry J. Szalanski FindAGrave - 2Lt John Miller (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 2Lt Stanley C Stickler (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Sgt Howard W Johnson (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Jack Glenn Flintom (news, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Sgt James F Rodgers (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Sgt Harry J Szalanski (tablets of the missing photo) Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) pages 370, 175-176, 383 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 |
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