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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 405th BS  USAAF 1942 |
Pilot Captain Glen F. Vick, O-419038 (MIA / KIA, BR) Cleburne, TX Co-Pilot John S. Ditto (MIA / KIA, BR) PA Navigator-Bombardier Garfield W. Simons (MIA / KIA, BR) NY Radio TSgt Edward P. Senior, 13079575 (MIA / KIA, BR) PA Gunner SSGT Marion E. Long (WIA, DOW January 29, 1945, BR) GA Gunner SSgt Charles M Lucas, 39168695 (MIA / KIA, BR) Topeka, KS Observer 2nd Lt. Robert G. Kraybill, 20th Weather Squadron (MIA / KIA, BR) NH Crashed January 24, 1945 at 11:00am MACR 15460 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) at Air Force Plant NC at Fairfax Field near Kansas City, Kansas. Constructors Number 108-32629. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25J-20/22-NC Mitchell serial number 44-29354. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History During December 1944, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) "Sun Setters", 405th Bombardment Squadron (405th BS) "The Green Dragons". No known nose art or nickname. This bomber flew at least 9 combat missions. On December 17, 1944 first combat mission against Fabrica Airfield on Negros and encountered anti-aircraft fire that damaged one B-25 that returned but was written off with damage. Mission History On January 24, 1945 at 7:15am took off from Pitoe Airfield on Morotai piloted by Captain Glen F. Vick as one of six B-25s from the 405th BS and three from 71st BS on a strike against a supply area and jetty at Siasi village on Siasi Island in the Tapul Islands of the Sulu Archipelago (Sulu Islands) of the Philippines. Aboard was observer 2nd Lt. Robert G. Kraybill, weather officer. Inbound, one B-25 from 405th BS aborted the mission due to mechanical issues. Over the target at 10:45am, the formation made 22 single plane runs over the target strafing and bombing and experienced anti-aircraft fire. Last seen at 11:00am during the second run over the target when hit by anti-aircraft fire over a jetty at Siasi village and was observed to crash into the sea and break in two and the crash site was spotted. When this plane failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search When the crash site was spotted, four B-25s circled and radioed a PBY Catalina but they were unable to make contact. They observed local people paddling out to the crash site with roughly 100 locals and observed what appeared to be a body being carried ashore. On January 25, 1945 a PBY Catalina escorted by B-25 Lt. James Benjamin returned to the area and the flying boat landed near the wreckage in the early afternoon but no bodies were found in the wreckage. Locals including a guerrilla representative approached the PBY and informed the crew that six died in the crash and one member of the crew was wounded. Recovery of Remains The remains of the crew were recovered and transported to Manila for identification then to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Vick was buried in 1950 at Rosehill Cemetery in Cleburne, TX. Ditto was buried on January 19, 1950 at Arlington National Cemetery at section 4, site 3169-LH. Simons earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot D row 12 grave 44. Senior earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously. He is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot D row 11 grave 44. Long is buried at Macon Memorial Park in Macon, GA at section D, lot 133, grave 1. Lucas earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot D row 6 grave 79. Kraybill was buried on February 9, 1950 at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34, site 4107. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Glen F. Vick NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John S. Ditto NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles M. Lucas USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25J-20/22-NC Mitchell 44-29354 FindAGrave - CPT Glen Franklin Vick (photo, grave photo) Arlington National Cemetery ANC Explorer - John S. Ditto (grave photos) FindAGrave - John S. Ditto (grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Garfield W. Simons FindAGrave - 1Lt Garfield W Simons (photo, grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward P. Senior FindAGrave - 1Lt Garfield W Simons (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Marion Edward Long (grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles M. Lucas FindAGrave - SSgt Charles M Lucas (grave photo) Arlington National Cemetery ANC Explorer - Robert G. Kraybill (grave photos) FindAGrave - 2LT Robert Grove Kraybill (photo, grave photo) Sun Setters of the Southwest Pacific Area (2011) pages 427 (Dec 17, 1944), 442-443 (Jan 24-25, 1945), AII-12 (Jan 24, 1944 B-25J 44-29354), AIII-20 (405th BS, 44-29354), ix-4 (index Ditto), ix-7 (index Kraybill), ix-8 (index Long, Lucas), ix-12 (index Senior, Simons), ix-14 (index Vick) 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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