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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 69th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt Robert E. Wilmarth, O-425177 (survived) Medway, MA Co-Pilot Lt. Lloyd B. Field (survived) Navigator Lt. Paul R. Tibbets (survived) Crew Lt. James W. Magers (survived) Crew Pfc Ervin A. Wilkening, 37143919 (MIA / KIA) NB Crew ? (survived) Crew ? (survived) Crew ? (survived) Crew ? (survived) Crashed September 18, 1942 MACR 16549 Aircraft History Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26B Marauder serial number 41-17585. During May 1942 assigned to 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 69th Bombardment Squadron (69th BS). Nicknamed "Kansas City Kitty" by pilot Lt. Stephen H. Howburt. Wartime History During late May 1942 or early June 1942 one of twenty-six B-26B Marauders from the 69th Bombardment Squadron (69th BS) and 70th Bombardment Squadron (70th BS) that took off from Hamilton Field on a 13 hour ferry flight to Hickam Field. This was the first over water flight of B-26s flying from California to Hawaii without loss. On June 15, 1942 took off from Hickam Field on a ferry flight across the Pacific via Christmas Airfield, Canton Airfield and Fiji before arriving June 23, 1942 at Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield on New Caledonia. This B-26 flew patrol and training missions in support in the South Pacific (SOPAC). Mission History On September 18, 1942 took off from Plaine des Gaiacs Airfield on New Caledonia piloted by 1st Lt Robert E. Wilmarth with eight others aboard on a flight bound for Efate Island in New Hebrides to join the forward echelon of the squadron. Enroute the aircraft encountered bad weather and became lost when the radio compass malfunctioned. With darkness approaching, the pilot was able to locate land but was unable to find a suitable landing area and instead ordered the crew to bail out. Fates of the Crew After bailing out, all nine crew members exited the aircraft and landed on Espiritu Santo and the sea nearby. All were rescued and returned to duty with the exception of Pfc Ervin A. Wilkening who was believed to have landed in the sea and drown. His body was not recovered and was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Wilkening was officially declared dead the day of the mission and earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 5. Wilmarth retired with the rank of Major from the United States Air Force (USAF). He passed away on June 30, 2011 and is buried at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26B Marauder 41-17585 "41-17585 (38th BG, 69th BS, 5th AF) abandoned by crew over Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides when ran out of fuel Sep 18, 1942. All crew rescued. [sic]" Missing Air Crew Report 16549 (MACR 16549) was created retroactively during 1945–1946 History of the 69th Bombardment Squadron "Several days later on September 18, the 69th lost its next B-26 when Lt. Wilmarth with Lts. Field and Tibbets and six enlisted men on a flight to Efate from Plaines de Gaiac [sic Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield], were lost in bad weather. The radio compass was 180 degrees off, so after turning th plane around and heading back for what fortunately was land, Lt. Wilmarth and crew were forced to bail out over Espiritu Santo. All men landed safely on or near the shore, except one PFC Erwin R. Wilkening, who was lost in the sea." Letter Major Robert E. Wilmarth, March 29, 1948 via MACR 16549 page 2: "On the afternoon of 18 September 1942, a B-26 loaded with a crew of myself, three (3) officers and five (5) enlisted men departed the airstrip of Plaine de Gaiac, New Caledonia, for the island of Efate which is one of the southernmost islands of the New Hebridies group. Weather was encountered in route and we became lost after futile attempts to home on radio signal due to faulty installation of loop antenna, it was believed. Let down was made after sunset when a light was spotted in a break in the overcast, and flight was directed over a well lighted area which proved to be lights on docks and ships being unloaded. With but a few minutes of gas left and not at all cognizant of our position the bailout order was given by me after a futile attempt to locate a landing strip. This was latter found to be the Navy Club I Hospital on the island of Espiritu Santo. Every man was equipped with a life vest and chute. The crew left the ship through the bomb bay and all chutes were reported as having opened clear of ship by Lt. Magers who was acting as bailout master and next to last to leave. After was reported clear by Lt. Magers, I followed shortly after him. The ship was flown in a circle during the bailout procedure to enable the crew to land as close to the lighted area as possible. All survivors landed on shore or in the bay without major injuries." FindAGrave - Robert E Wilmarth (grave photo, obituary) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ervin A. Wilkening FindAGrave - PFC Ervin A Wilkening (courts of the missing photo) Thanks to Greg Boeser 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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 B-26  MIA 1 Missing |
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