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U.S. Army  Justin Taylan 2017 |
Pilot 2nd Lt Frederic G. Heyer, O-737950 43rd BG, 403rd BS (KIA, BR) Flint, MI Passenger 2nd Lt Howard J. LaBrenz, 43rd BG, 403rd BS (WIA, survived) Kent County, MI Crashed September 2, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Piper. Delivered to the U.S. Army as L-4A Grasshopper serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to New Guinea and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the either the U.S. Army or U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On September 2, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Frederick G. Heyer with passenger 2nd Lt Howard J. LaBrenz on a search mission for B-24D Liberator 42-40984 Missing In Action (MIA) since August 31, 1943. While searching, this plane ran out of fuel and crashed near a camp area to the north of Port Moresby. During the crash, Hayer was killed. LaBrenz was injured and survived. Fates of the Crew On September 3, 1943 LaBrenz was found wounded and returned to duty. He reported the L-4 had ran out of fuel and crashed and guided a search party to the crash site to recover the remains of the pilot. LaBrenz returned to duty. Postwar, he joined the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and retired with the rank of Colonel. Recovery of Remains On September 3, 1943 Heyer remains were recovered from the crash site and buried in New Guinea. Postwar, he was transported to Hawaii for permanent burial. Memorials Heyer was officially declared dead on September 3, 1943. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot B, grave 1109. LaBrenz passed away on August 22, 1964 at age 45. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 37 site 3799. Wreckage Since the early 1970s, the fuselage of this aircraft was moved atop a large volcanic rock on the northern side of the road at Varirata National Park. Relatives Elva Dean Dawson LaBrenz (wife of LaBrenz) passed away November 12, 2017 at age 97. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Frederic G. Heyer NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Howard J. La Brenz (surname listed as "La Brenz") PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - L4 Cup piloted by Hayer [sic Heyer] 43rd Bombardment Group History 1 Sept 1943 "...Yesterday one of our early morning reccos crashed soon after a take off... of the drome. A ground searching party has gone to the wreck but no word from them has been received yet." 2 Sept 1943 "A Piper Cub sent out to search for the B-24 that crashed into the mountains on the 31st of August has failed to return. It is feared that it too has gone down.. The ground searching party has returned. Major Shea [Group Chaplain] who accompanied the party reported that all aboard were killed and burned beyond recognition. Funeral rites were conducted there on the mountain side. Those aboard were.." 3 Sept 1943 "The Piper Cub was found wrecked and Lt. Frederick G. Heyer of 505 Mary Street, Flint Michigan, the pilot dead." FindAGrave - Frederic G Heyer (grave photo) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Howard J. LaBrenz (grave photos) FindAGrave - COL Howard John LaBrenz (grave photo) Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume 1 (2015) pages 268 (August 31, 1943), 394 (index Heyer), 396 (index LaBrenz) Thanks to Henry Mayer and Edward Rogers 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 September 3, 2022 |
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