Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. Constructors Number 13417. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Ferried overseas to Australia.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 317th Troop Carrier Group, 46th Troop Carrier Squadron. Squadron nose number 79. When lost, engines: R-1830-92 AAF serial numbers: CP-358873 and CP-359184.

Mission History
On September 25, 1944 took off from Garbutt Field near Townsville at 11:22am on a flight bound for Nadzab Airfield. Three members of 8th Fighter Control Squadron were manifested, but did rot travel on the flight. Instead, three other passengers were aboard. This C-47 landed at Lae Airfield at 4:25pm, then took off for Nadzab Airfield at 4:50pm but failed to arrive. Last contact was by radio for routine take off clearance. Last seen on take off. When it did not arrive, it was declared Missing In Action (MIA) and was presumed lost somewhere between Lae and Nadzab.

Search
Afterwards, extensive searches were flown for this C-47 over the flight route without result.

Memorials
The entire crew and passengers were officially declared dead on April 3, 1946. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Korzinski also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery in memorial section H. Predovich also has a memorial marker at Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo, CO at block 20.

References
Previously, Korzinski survived the force landing of C-47 "The Amazon" 42-23659 on December 1, 1943
The three 8th Fighter Control Squadron personnel manifested that did not fly on this aircraft were: Cpl Roberts V. Fortney 17636515, Cpl Joseph J. Glodenis 19067510 and Sgt Richard C. Garrett, 19067510.
46th Troop Carrier Squadron (incorrectly) lists this C-47 as missing between Cooktown and Port Moresby.
Other sources incorrectly state this C-47 was flying from Cooktown Airfield to Port Moresby.
RAAF Survey of Aircraft Wreckage, Australia, page 1 "18 - 15.28 / 145.14 - Cooktown Area - USAC Douglas C-47A 42-934499 [sic] Departed Cooktown for Port Moresby - no further news"
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leonard E. Walker
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William R. Kinzie
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Keith K. Keown
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ben A. Korzinski
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles C. Boyd
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ted R. Davis
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Daniel P. Predovich
FindAGrave - 1Lt Leonard E Walker (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 2Lt William R Kinzie
FindAGrave - Sgt Keith K Keown (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - SSgt Ben A Korzinski (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Benjamin A. Korzinski (Arlington memorial marker)
FindAGrave - 1Lt Ted R Davis
FindAGrave - Capt Daniel P Predovich, Jr
FindAGrave - Capt Daniel P. Predovich, Jr (grave photo)
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018