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| USAAF 5th AF 374th TCG 21st TCS  USAAF 1943  State Library of Queensland July 5, 1948   Justin Taylan 2003 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Victor N. Gibson (KIA, BR) Daviess County, IN Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Michael L. Reitman (KIA, BR) Brooklyn, NY Engineer SSgt Everett L. Ahmann (KIA, BR) Marthasville, MO Radio Cpl John F. Giugno (KIA, BR) Rochester, NY Passenger T/5 Thomas G. Cucciaro (KIA, BR) Passenger F/O Frank McLaurin Bartlett, 265197 RAAF (KIA, BR) London, UK Passenger LAC Hector Richard Hore, 126243 RAAF (KIA, BR) Albury, NSW Passenger Sgt Hugh John McClean, AIF NX151913 (KIA, BR) Sydney, NSW Passenger Sgt Philip Ernest Nicholls, AIF SX6040 (KIA, BR) Adelaide, SA Passenger Gnr Thomas Layton Vinecombe, AIF VX37247 (KIA, BR) Bendigo, VIC Passenger Sgt Jack Ernest Kerr, AIF NX125184 (KIA, BR) Bondi, NSW Passenger Sgt Albert William Lawrence, AIF WX16521 (KIA, BR) Bedfordshire, UK Unmanifested Passenger Cpl Albert E. Peglow Jr., 36129389 (KIA, BR) Bay City, MI Crashed November 21, 1943 MACR 1220 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 6009. On October 31, 1942 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47-DL Skytrain serial number 41-18648. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History On January 15, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 317th Troop Carrier Group (317th TCG), 21st Troop Carrier Squadron (21st TCS). Nicknamed "Star Duster". Australian call sign VH-CGC. Mission History On November 21, 1943 took off from 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Victor N. Gibson on a flight bound for Cairns Airfield then took off again and landed at Garbutt Field and was loaded with 6,700 pounds of cargo and took off again bound for Rockhampton Airfield and was loaded with mail then departed for Archerfield Airfield near Brisbane. After take off from Rockhampton Airfield this C-47 failed to arrive and was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage This C-47 broke up in mid air due to violent weather and crashed near Monto. On June 22, 1948 the crash site was discovered by Mr. F. A. Smith roughly six miles north of a property known as "Magpie" in a steep gully between two high hills covered with trees. Smith reported the site to the Monto Police, which notified the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The wreckage included the fuselage section, wings, engines and tail. One engine is 300-400 yards separate from the rest of the aircraft. Among the wreckage was the remains of the cargo including several engines, two MT engines, and one KVA unit and three large and three small cylinders for acetylene and oxygen. In 1961, the right wing, which was never found during 1948 investigation, was discovered one kilometer away from the crash site. In 1991, the stabilizer, fuselage door, and other fragments were found. The wide area of the wreckage further reinforces violence of this crash site. Recovery of Remains Afterwards, a RAAF Searcher Team led by S/L Kieth Rundle investigated the crash site. During the investigation, the remains of an unmanifested passenger Cpl Peglow, was found. The investigation revealed that the aircraft probably disintegrated in midair, with both engines running, due to turbulent weather. Three were individually identified: Gibson, Reitman and Peglow. Memorials The entire crew and passengers were officially declared dead the day of the mission. On July 5, 1948 the remains of the crew and passengers were buried with full military honors at Bundaberg General Cemetery in Bundaberg. Gibson is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery. Reitman is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery. Ahmann is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery at plot A, row B in collective grave. He also has a memorial marker at Saint Paul's Cemetery in Marthasville, MO at Z 26-7. Giugno is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B in collective grave 1-5. 10-16. Cucciaro has an unknown burial. Bartlett is buried at Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A. row B. collective grave 1-5. 10-16. He is also memorialized at Australian War Memorial (AWM). Hore is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B in collective grave 1-5. 10-16. McClean is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B in collective grave 1-5. 10-16. Nicholls is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B in collective grave 1-5. 10-16. Vinecombe is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B in collective grave 1-5. 10-16. Kerr is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B in collective grave 1-5. 10-16. Lawrence is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B in collective grave 1-5. 10-16. Peglow is buried in Bundaberg General Cemetery in plot A, row B, grave 14. Display A propeller from the C-47 was recovered and is displayed at the Monto RSL. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47-DL Skytrain 41-18648 Missing Air Crew Report 1220 (MACR 1220) created December 1, 1943 Monte Herald "U.S.A. and Australian Servicemen in Crashed Plane at Yarrol!" July 1948 State Library of Queensland "Missing plane discovered after nearly five years (1948)" July 31, 2017 Oz@War - Crash of a C-47 Dakota of the 374th Transport Group in the Monto Area, 65 Miles west of Bundaberg on 21 Novemer 1943 FindAGrave - 1LT Victor Noah Gibson (photos) FindAGrave - 2LT Michael Leon Reitman (obituary, grave photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Everett Louis “Bussie” Ahmann (grave photo) FindAGrave - Everett Louis “Bussie” Ahmann (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Cpl. John F. Giugno (grave photo) CWGC - Frank McLaurin Bartlett FindAGrave - Frank McLaurin Bartlett (grave photo) FindAGrave - Frank Mclaurin Bartlett (AWM) CWGC - Hector Richard Hore FindAGrave - Leading Aircraftman Hector Richard Hore (grave photo) CWGC - Hugh John McClean FindAGrave - Sergeant Hugh John McClean (grave photo) CWGC - Philip Ernest Nicholls FindAGrave - Sergeant Philip Ernest Nicholls (grave photo) CWGC - Thomas Layton Vinecombe FindAGrave - Gunner Thomas Layton Vinecombe (grave photo) CWGC - Jack Ernest Kerr FindAGrave - Sergeant Jack Ernest Kerr (photo, grave photo) CWGC - Albert William Lawrence FindAGrave - Sergeant Albert William Lawrence (grave photo) FindAGrave - Corp Albert Edward Peglow Jr. (photo, 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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