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| USAAF 5th AF 22nd BG 2nd BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Gerald J. Crosson, USAAF (survived) Co-Pilot Sgt William Edwin Logan, RAAF 415158 (WIA, died) Mt. Hawthorn, WA Radio Operator SSgt Darby, USAAF (WIA, survived) Crashed August 17, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26 Marauder serial number 40-1399. Operated from Langley Field in Virginia. Flown overseas via Hickam Field across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History During March 1942 assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). Nicknamed "The Avenger" with the nose art of a superhero character. This bomber was assigned to pilots Crosson with crew chiefs Wentzel and TSgt Alexander W. Jones who nicknamed the bomber. On August 17, 1942 one of ten B-26 Marauders parked at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby fully fueled and armed with 500 pound bombs. On the ground, there was no advanced warning of a Japanese air raid against 7 Mile by G4M1 Bettys from the 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) and Misawa Kokutai (Misawa Air Group) escorted by A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). Attempting to take off to avoid being hit on the ground, this bomber attempted to take off piloted by 1st Lt. Gerald Crosson with co-pilot Sgt William Edwin Logan (RAAF) and radio operator Darby. A Japanese bomb exploded approximately 20 feet off the left wing causing this bomber to catch fire. Aboard, Sgt Logan suffered serious shrapnel wounds to his legs and abdomen. Darby also sustained a shrapnel injury. Abandoning their B-26 on the runway, the crew took cover in a bomb crater while the B-26 burned until the bombs exploded. Fates of the crew After the air raid, and ambulance reached the crew and transported them to the hospital. Logan died of his injuries on the way to the hospital. Memorials Logan was buried at Bomana War Cemetery at grave B1. A .22. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26 Mauader 40-1399 CWGC - William Edwin Logan Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 129-130, 131 (photo), 475, 490 Thanks to Edward Rogers and Daniel Leahy for additional information 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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