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| USAAF 13th AF 42nd BG 75th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Ernest G. Keefer (survived) Wayne County, MI Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. R. L. Thompson (survived) Bombardier Navigator 1st Lt. Floyd E. Fredenburg (survived) Engineer Sgt Meyer Sandel (survived) Radio SSgt Eugene E. D'Amico (survived) Gunner SSgt Cecil P. Creech (survived) Ditched February 20, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 96-16584. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25 Mitchell serial number unknown. Likely, this bomber was a B-25C Mitchell or B-25D Mitchell. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 42nd Bombardment Group (42nd BG) "The Crusaders", 75th Bombardment Squadron (75th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On February 20, 1944 took off from Stirling Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Ernest G. Keefer armed with 250 pound bombs as one of thirty-five B-25s from the 75th BS and 69th BS on a medium altitude bombing mission against Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. Over the target, this B-25 was damaged in both engines and returning successfully ditched into Saint Georges Channel. The bomber remained afloat for over a minute allowing the crew to help the wounded gunner and inflate their life raft before it sank. Rescue An hour later, the entire crew was rescued by a U.S. Navy (USN) PBY Catalina that landed in Saint Georges Channel. The rescue was photographed by LIFE photograph LtCdr Horace Bristol who took a series of at least seven photographs of the rescue. Afterwards, they landed to rescue 1st Lt. Robert A. Schaeffer pilot F4U Corsair 17460 that bailed out a day earlier. Memorials Keefer passed way December 21, 2002 at age 81. He is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Fort Worth, TX. Relatives Steven L. Thompson (son of R. L. Thompson) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ernest G. Keefer The Argus-Leader "Class 9-43 Graduate Served On 24 Missions Over Rabaul" June 25, 1944 page 12 "Sgt D'Amico also recalled another mission over Rabaul during which his plane was hit, damaging the two engines, and forcing them into the sea. By skillful handling, the bomber was set down in the water so gently that it stayed afloat for well over a minute. This gave the crew time to get the turret gunner, who had been hit in the left leg out of the plane. Meanwhile, Sgt. D'Amico had forced open the raft compartment, the door of which had been warped in landing, and inflated the raft. All occupants of the plane were safely in the raft before the bomber sank. An hour later a Navy flying boat landed and picked up the crew." The Crusaders A History of the 42nd Bombardment Group (M) (1946) page 67 "February 20 was a day for Lieut. E. G. Keefer and his crew, all of the 75th Squadron, to remember, for in a long-to-be-remembered raid on Lakunai, he was forced to ditch seven mies off the St. George Channel, where he and his crew were picked up by Dumbo one hour later." Dumbo to the Rescue Navy flying boat picks up airmen downed in Jap waters Air&Space Magazine Oct/Nov 1991 article by by Steve Thompson Taps for G102 A Guest Post for Robin Chapman News by Steve Thompson October 12, 2010 FindAGrave - Ernest Gerald Keefer (photo, obituary, grave 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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