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| USAAF 5th AF 22nd BG 19th BS  Charles Darby 1974  Richard Leahy 1982 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Christian I. Herron, O-406130 (KIA, BR) Bellefonte, PA Co-Pilot S/L Charles R. Gurney, 160 RAAF No. 33 Squadron (KIA, BR) Edgecliffe, NSW Navigator 2nd Lt. Noel A. Wright (survived) Bombardier 2nd Lt. George D. Barnhill, 14008532 (survived) Mecklenburg County, NC Engineer Pvt Nelson V. Donaldson (survived) Radio Sgt Robert F. Jordan (survived) Gunner Pvt Fred J. Mikels (survived) FL Crashed May 2, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Constructor Number 1291. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26 Marauder serial number 40-1426. Wartime History During February 1942 assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 19th Bombardment Squadron (19th BS). Assigned to pilot Powell. Flown overseas to Australia by 1st Lt. Perrie G. Powell. On March 24, 1942 arrives at Archerfield Airfield. No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On May 2, 1942 took off from from 3 Mile Drome (Kila) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Christian I. Herron with co-pilot S/L Charles R. Gurney on a bombing mission against Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. This was the bomber's first combat mission. Over the target, damaged by anti-aircraft fire and returned on one engine but gradually lost altitude over the Solomon Sea. Although damaged, this B-26 reached southern Kiriwina Island and the pilots elected to lower the landing gear in an attempt to land. When the wheels touched swampy ground, the landing gear collapsed causing the bomber to flip upside down and crash. Inside the cockpit, both pilots were killed on impact. The rest of the crew survived without serious injuries. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the surviving crew recovered the remains of both pilots. Rescue Afterwards, the five survivors were rescued by RAAF Catalina and flown back to Port Moresby and returned to duty. Memorials Gurney and Herron were both officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the crash, Both were recovered and temporarily buried in the cemetery at Milne Bay, with Gurney at grave no. 1. On September 14, 1942 the airfield No, 1 Strip (Fall River) at Milne Bay was officially renamed "Gurney Field" in honor of S/L Charles R. Gurney. Postwar, both dead crew members were permanently buried. Postwar, he was buried at Bomana War Cemetery at A3. D. 14. Herron earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. Postwar he was buried in Manila American Cemetery at Plot A Row 12 Grave 203. Wreckage This B-26 remains in situ upside down where it crashed. Relatives Chris Mikels (relative of Fred Mikels) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Christian I. Herron WW2 Nominal Roll - Charles Raymond Gurney NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George D. Barnhill NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George D. Barnhill NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George D. Barnhill NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George D. Barnhill NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George D. Barnhill USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26 40-1426 "1426 (22nd BG, 19th BS) damaged during attack on Rabaul May 2, 1942 and forced down in Trobriand Islands between Rabaul and New Guinea. Plane flipped over on its back. 2 of the crew killed, other 5 survived and were rescued. Reported recovered from Trobriand Island ca 1974." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Christian I. Herron FindAGrave - Christian I. Herron CWGC - Charles Raymond Gurney PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-26 40-1426 Pacific Aircraft Wrecks (1979) page 41 (upper) Honour Roll World War II Qantas Staff Casualties (Gurney) via Wayback Machine October 23, 2009 Diaries of Eddie Allan Stantton (1996) pages 27-29 Revenge of the Red Raiders (2006) pages 13, 39-45, 63, 66-67, 70-72, 79-80, 82, 87-88, 472, 495, 547 S/L Gurney via Wayback Machine October 27, 2009 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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