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| USAAF 5th AF 71st TRG 17th TRS |
Pilot Captain Sumner G. Lind, O-429665 (MIA / KIA) Ramsey County, MN Observer 1st Lt. Francis N. Hueben, O-669048 (MIA / KIA) Leavenworth County, KS Armour/Gunner SSgt Harry E. Lamb, 39314037 (MIA / KIA) Goble, OR Photo/Gunner SSgt Howard W. Hodges, 20445723 (MIA / KIA) Caddo Parish, LA Radio/Gunner SSgt Joseph T. Beuter, 19013295 (MIA / KIA) Lake County, CA MIA June 8, 1944 MACR 16121 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number unknown. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D Mitchell serial number unknown. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG), 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (17th TRS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine serial numbers and .50 caliber machine gun makers and serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 16121 (MACR 16121). Mission History On June 8, 1944 at 9:55am took off from Wakde Airfield piloted by Captain Sumner G. Lind (Mission #160 B-310) as one of ten B-25s led by B-25D pilot Major Tennille to attack a Japanese force of two cruisers and six destroyers bound for Biak. At 12:15pm the B-25s rendezvous with an escort of 24 P-38 Lightnings at Lat 1° 30' S Long 134° 8' E and the fighters spotted the enemy convoy at approximately Lat 0° 50' S Long 132° 50' E. The B-25s were flying in a "V of V's" formation and maneuvered until 1:15pm when they spotted the convoy performing a 90° turn to the north and formed a battle formation. At this point, the B-25s broke formation into two ship elements for their attacks that became known as the Battle of Cape Waios. The two plane element led by B-25D pilot Major Tennille with B-25D pilot 2nd Lt. Wood targeted the rearmost destroyer (likely Harusame) in a feint and a dropped one bomb that missed. Next, the two plane element of Captain Lind and 2nd Lt. Machnikowski attacked the same destroyer and claimed two direct hits (likely Harusame). Directly over the convoy, this B-25 was hit by anti-aircraft fire over his target after releasing his bombs. Also lost were B-25D pilot Major Tennille (MIA) and B-25D pilot 2nd Lt. Wood (MIA). Four destroyers were claimed by the B-25s, but in fact only Harusame was sunk. After the mission, General Douglas MacArthur commented on the B-25s: "The job was magnificently done," General Ennis Whitehead who said, "This squadron has this date performed one of the finest military feats of the war." Of the seven B-25s that returned, five were damaged. Memorials The entire crew was presumed dead the day of the mission. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Lind earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. Hueben earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Lamb earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Willamette National Cemetery at section K site 4937. Hodges earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. Beuter earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Sumner G. Lind NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Francis N. Hueben NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harry E. Lamb NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Howard W. Hodges NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Joseph T. Beuter Missing Air Crew Report 16121 (MACR 16121) created retroactively circa 1945-1945 "Narrative Report on Mission 160 B-310 performed by the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bomb) 8 June 1944" pages 1-3 (Page 1) "5... Captain Lind and Lt. Machnikowski attacked the rear destroyer at which Major Tennille and Lt. Wood had feinted scoring two direct hits. (Page 2) "6... Captain Lind's plane was hit directly over the target immediately after releasing his bombs." Letter "Congratulations 17th TRS" Major General Ennis C. Whitehead June 8, 1944 Letter "Commendation from General Macarthur" via Major General Ennis C. Whitehead June 10, 1944 Call Bulletin "How Jap Flotillas Sank" by Spencer Davis, AP Staff Writer June 13, 1944 pages 1-2 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Sumner G. Lind American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Francis N. Hueben American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Harry E. Lamb American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Howard W. Hodges American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph T. Beuter FindAGrave - Capt Sumner G Lind (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - 1Lt Francis Nicholas Hueben (photos, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Francis Nicholas Hueben (memorial marker) FindAGrave - TSgt Harry E Lamb (photo, obituary, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Harry Everett Lamb (memorial marker) FindAGrave - SSgt Howard W Hodges (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSgt Joseph T Beuter (tablets of the missing) 17th Special Operations Squadron History - 17th SOS History "During the Battle of Cape Waios, ten Mitchells from the 17th RS(B) intercepted a Japanese task force intended on retaking the island of Biak. The squadron commander, Maj. William G. Tennille, lead two sections of B-25s in a low level attack scoring direct hits on four destroyers loaded with Japanese troops. The squadron paid a heavy price during the battle. The 17th lost three crews to include the squadron commander to Japanese anti-aircraft fire. Their actions were noted by Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he said, “The job was magnificently done,” and by Gen. Ennis Clement Whitehead who said, “This squadron has this date performed one of the finest military feats of the war.” Maj. William Tennille and Lt. Howard Wood were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for their actions." 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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