Pilot 1st Lt. Albert E. Pomplun, O-804226 8th FG, 36th FS (MIA / KIA) NY
Co-Pilot 1st Lt Raymond W. Loh, O-810390 (MIA / KIA) NJ
Engineer TSgt Charles W. Cotton, 18063297 (MIA / KIA)
Engineer T/Sgt Francis E. White, 16043419 80th FS (MIA / KIA) OH
Radio T/Sgt Robert A. Behrens, 16009120 35th FS (MIA / KIA) WI
Passenger S/Sgt Walter M. Cremeans, 15066517 36th FS (MIA / KIA) WV
Passenger Sgt Steve J. Hadzima, 16144879 35th FS (MIA / KIA) IL
Passenger T/Sgt John W. Reynolds, 12011647 35th FS (MIA / KIA) NJ
Passenger Cpl Charles F. Teipner, 36263403 36th FS (MIA / KIA) WI
MIA December 24, 1944
MACR 12181
Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. Construction Number 20580. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47A-90-DL Dakota serial number 43-16114. Flown via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 8th Fighter Group. No known nickname or nose art. During late 1944, this C-47 was used by the rear echelon station on Noemfoor Island. Departed Noemfoor on December 23, 1944 arriving at Finschafen Airfield to pickup P-38 Lightning parts not available on Noemfoor or Biak Island. When lost, engines R-1830, serial numbers: CP 360128 and CP 360158.
Mission History
On December 24, 1944 at 6:45am took off from Finschafen Airfield piloted by Pomplun on an administrative flight bound for Noemfoor Island for P-38 parts not available on Noemfoor or Biak. Aboard were passengers from the 8th Fighter Group. This C-47 was lost en route.
Search
Two 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group P-38, one piloted by Lt. Meyers the other piloted by David M. Macaulay departed Noemfoor on a search mission, searching around Japen, along the north coast of New Guinea, past Wakde and Tadji ending at Hollandia with nil sighting. No further searches were made by Meyers due to mechanical difficulties with his aircraft. Macaulay covered the area between Hollandia and Finschafen, also Lae to Nadzab but found no trace of this C-47.
Memorials
The entire crew was officially killed on December 24, 1944. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47A-90-DL 43-16114
"16114 (MSN 20580) lost Dec 24, 1944, New Guinea. MACR 12181"
Missing Air Crew Report 12181 (MACR 12181) created December 31, 1944
8th Fighter Group microfilm A07497 for crew and passenger details
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) does not list
Charles W. Cotton, 18063297
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - C-47 Dakota 43-16114
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Last Updated
February 14, 2020
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