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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 13th BS  USAAF April 1, 1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. John S. Bromage, O-789129 (MIA / KIA) Durham, NC / Union County, NJ Co-Pilot F/O Robert L. Sturm, T-186409 (MIA / KIA) Barbour County, WV Gunner Sgt. Fred L. Shinkle, 15070086 (survived) IN Gunner Cpl Louis Kaufman (survived) Ditched July 23, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number unknown. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25 Mitchell model and serial number unknown, likely a B-25C or B-25D. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On July 23, 1943 took off from Horanda Drome, (Dobodura 4) piloted by 1st Lt. John S. Bromage on a mission to bomb and strafe Malolo. Returning, this B-25 hit the surface of the sea south of Salamaua and was unable to regain control then ditched into the sea. During the crash, both pilots were killed. The other two crew members were observed swimming towards shore. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew The two gunners survived and were later rescued from Lasanga Island. Memorials Bromage and Sturm were officially declared dead the day of the mission and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Bromage earned Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Sturm earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has memorial marker at Stringtown Cemetery in Belington, WV. Shinkle passed away on January 3, 1957 at age 37. He is buried at Orchard Grove Cemetery in Lowell, IN. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John S. Bromage NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert L. Sturm NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Fred L. Shinkle World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing State of New Jersey page 50 Union County Bromage, John S. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing State of West Virginia page 5 Barbour County Sturm, Robert L. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John S Bromage American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert L. Sturm FindAGrave - 1Lt John S Bromage (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - FltOff Robert L Sturm (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Robert L. Sturm (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Fred Lee Shinkle (grave photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers and Madison Jonas for research and analysis 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 2 Missing |
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