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Pilot 2nd Lt. Harold F. Wurtz, Jr., O-814817 (MIA, KIA, BR) Dearborn, MI Passenger ARC Harriet E. Gowen (MIA, KIA, BR) Stillwater, MN Crashed May 5, 1945 1:48pm MACR 14435 Pilot History Harold Wurtz was born September 19, 1923 and nicknamed "Junior". After his death, he was posthumously promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Harriet E. Gowen was born May 11, 1917, and joined the American Red Cross (ARC). On May 5, 1945 both were killed in the crash of this aircraft. Aircraft History Built by Republic at the Indiana Division of Republic Aviation in Evansville, IN. Constructor Number 700. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D-11-RA Thunderbolt serial number 42-22949. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Service Squadron (8th SrG), 301st Airdrome Squadron (301st ADS) Far East Air Force - Combat Replacement and Training Center (FEAF-CRTC). No known nickname or nose art. When lost engine R-2800-21 serial number 42-IZ4111. Armed with .50 caliber machine gunes makers unknown serial numbers: 971137, 970972, 976631, 971044, 970835, 976194, 970994 and 970724. Mission History On May 5, 1945 at 1:48pm took off from Nadzab Airfield (No 1) piloted by 2nd Lt. Harold F. Wurtz, Jr. on a local flight. Seated on his lap was American Red Cross (ARC) Harriet E. Gowen. This aircraft was last seen by the tower operator, headed on a course of 90° due east. It was never seen after take off. The weather was unlimited ceiling, high overcast with .3 cumulus clouds at 2,000' and winds to the east 15 mph. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search On May 12, 1945 and May 13, 1945 aerial searches were flown without success. Wreckage In fact, this P-47 crashed at high speed nearly vertically into soft soil and the engine came to rest 15' below ground level. During 1996, this crash site was found roughly twelve nautical miles west of Nadzab Airport (Nadzab Airfield No. 1). A woman's shoe was found in the wreckage and remains were recovered. Richard Leahy adds: "It is located about 12 NM west of Nadzab Airport. It went in at high speed almost vertically. The soil is black loam and not hard. The motor ended up about 15' under the ground. Not much left of two occupants. I visited the site on October 16, 1997. I was told that the site was visited by American tourists in 1996 who passed on their finding to either U.S. Army CILHI or the US Embassy in Port Moresby. I have no idea who they were." Recovery of Remains After 1996, a team from U.S. Army CILHI visited the crash site and recovered the remains of Wurtz and Gowen. During 1999, the Department of Defense reported them as accounted for. Memorial Wurtz was officially declared dead on May 12, 1945. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Wurtz is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Wurtz also has an individual burial at Arlington National Cemetery section 60, grave 7827. Gowen also has a memorial marker at Saint Michaels Cemetery in Bayport, MN. On August 6, 1999 Wurtz and Gowen were buried in a group burial at Arlington National Cemetery at section 60, graves 7827 (Wurtz) and 7828 (group burial Wurtz and Gowen). Relative Ernest Peaslee (nephew of Gowen) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-47D-11-RA Thunderbolt 42-22949 "22949 (301st Air Depot Squadron, 8th Service Group, 5th AF) crashed from unknown cause May 12, 1945, Nadzab Airfield, Papua New Guinea. MACR 14435. Was on local flight with a woman member of the American Red Cross who sat on the pilot's lap as he flew the aircraft. Aircraft crashed in a dive at high speed. Pilot and passenger were killed." Missing Air Crew Report 14435 (MACR 14435) created May 13, 1945 MinneapolisStar Tribune "Excelsior Girl Lost in Pacific" May 25, 1945 page 1, 19 Detroit Free Press "Missing Pacific Area: Wurtz, Harodl F. Jr. " June 14, 1945 page 14 Detroit Free Press "Dead pilot's Family says girlfriends were many" by Beth Krodel August 13, 1997 pages B, B6 Detroit Free Press "Duo Finds Remains of Lost WWII pilot, nurse" by Beth Krodel August 9, 1997 page 1, 2A PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-47D Thunderbolt 42-22949 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Harold F. Wurtz Jr. "Remains recovered" FindAGrave - 1Lt Harold F Wurtz, Jr (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Harold F Wurtz, Jr (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - Harriet E Gowen (obit, group burial photo) FindAGrave - Harriet E Gowen (memorial marker photo) ANC Explorer - Harold F Wurtz (secotion 60, grave 7827 - grave) ANC Explorer - Harold F Wurtz (section 60, grave 7827 - group burial) ANC Explorer - Harriet E Gowen (section 60, grave 7828 - group burial) Arlington National Cemetery Website - Harold Wurtz / Harriet Gowen 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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