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| U.S. Army 23rd ID Divisional Artillery Headquarters Battery |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Charles W. Cross, O-515939 (MIA / KIA) Winnebago County, IL Passenger 2nd Lt. Isireli Koravulavula, 5144 1st Fijian Defense Battalion (survived) Fijian Crashed January 27, 1944 MACR 2177 Aircraft History Built by Piper Aircraft. Constructors Number 10112. Delivered to the U.S. Army as L-4B Grasshopper serial number 43-1251. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the 23rd Infantry Division (23rd ID) "Americal Division", Divisional Artillery, Headquarters Battery. During late December 1943 or early 1944 landed as cargo at Torokina on Bougainville and reassembled. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine O-170-3 serial number 43-5366. No armament was installed or aboard. Mission History On January 27, 1944 at 1:00pm took off from Piva South Airfield (Piva Uncle) on Bougainville piloted by 2nd Lt. Charles W. Cross with passenger 2nd Lt. Isireli Koravulavula on a local flight bound for Kameli Airfield near Ibu. The weather was good at take off with 0.08 to 0.09 clouds at 3,000' en route with fair weather reported at the destination. On the ground, the motor sound of a plane was heard in the vicinity of Ibu at 4:15pm. This plane had only three or three and a half hours of fuel. When this plane failed to arrive it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA) due to unknown circumstances. It was believed he became lost or bad weather prevented him from finding the airfield. Although lost, it was believed this plane could have made a crash landed and Fijian Koravulavula knew the area well and could have guided them to safety but might have taken several days or weeks. Fate of the Crew In fact, this plane had become lost in bad weather and crash landed in dense jungle on Bougainville. Both survived unhurt. After struggling for six days, the pair reached a clearing and realized they were deep inside Japanese territory. Without food, they began walking towards Allied lines. On February 7, 1944 Cross was unable to walk. For two days, he was carried by Koravulavula. On February 9, 1944 unable to continue, Cross insisted he leave him and continue alone. Before departing the Fijian built him a lean-to and left all his clothing and water. Twice, Koravulavula returned to check on him then departed for Allied lines. On February 21, 1944 Koravulavula met friendly locals who took him to shelter where he was able to rest, eat food then continued his trek towards Allied lines. The fate of Cross is unknown. He was officially declared dead on February 29, 1944 and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). A month after the crash, Koravulavula returned to Allied lines and shared the story of their ordeal. Search That same afternoon, a search mission was flown for the missing plane in the Ibu area without results between 6:00pm until 7:00pm. On January 28, 1944 another search mission was flown without results. By February 9, 1944 a total of 41 hours and 55 minutes were flown in search of the missing plane, including 30 hours by SBD Dauntless dive bombers and 11 hours and 55 minutes with Piper Cub light aircraft. Meanwhile, a U.S. Army patrol searched for him but found no trace of him. Memorials Cross was officially declared dead on February 29, 1944. He earned the Air Medal. For unknown reasons, he did not earn the Purple Heart, posthumously. Cross is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the mission. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles W. Cross USAF Serial Number Search Results - L-4B Grasshopper 43-1251 "251 condemned Jan 27, 1944" Missing Air Crew Report 2177 (MACR 2177) created February 9, 1944 Kenosha News "Abandon Hope For Lost Yank" by AP March 10, 1944 page 14 "With U.S. Army Forces, Bougainville - (U.P.) - After being lost nearly a month inside Japanese lines, Lieft Iqkoro [sic Isireli Koravulavula], a Fiji Islander, returned to U.S. lines at Bougainville, but hope has been virtually abandoned for his companion, 2nd Lt. Charles W. Cross, 23, Rockford, Ill., it was announced here today." Chicago Tribune "Casualty Roll By Army Lists 210 As Missing: 9 from Illinois included in release by Chicago Tribune Press Services February 27, 1944 page 9 "Cross, 2d Lt. Charles W. - Charles W. Cross, father, Rockford. [Southwest Pacific.]" The Belleville News-Democrat "Give Up Hope For Rockford Man In Island Jungles" March 10, 1944 page 2, 7 (Page 2) "After being lost nearly a month inside Japanese lines, Lieft Iqkoo, a Fiji Islander, returned to U.S. lines at Bougainville, but hope has been virtually abandoned for his companion, Second Lieut Charles W. Cross, 23, Rockford Ill, it was announced here today." (Page 7) "Illinois Officer Is Believed Lost on Bougainville Isle" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles W. Cross FindAGrave - 2Lt Charles W Cross (photo, tablets of the missing 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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 L-4  MIA 1 Missing |
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