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| USN VB-101 Formally VP-51 Temporary Assigment VB-102 |
Pilot Lt(jg) John B. Haskett, O-106015 USNR (MIA / KIA) Alhambra, CA Crew Lt(jg) Kenneth R. Johnson, O-121454 USNR (MIA / KIA) MN Crew Ensign Duane L. Beaman, O-156373 USNR (MIA / KIA) CA Crew AMM2c Clarence C. Dodson, 3603777 USN (MIA / KIA) TX Crew AMM2c John H. Harr, 6221572 USNR (MIA / KIA) MI Crew AMM2c Alvin P. Harrow, 2073724 USN (MIA / KIA) CT Crew AMM2c Merle W. Hinshaw, 3288742 USN (MIA / KIA) MN Crew AOM3c Henry F. Lohmeier, 6105801 USNR (MIA / KIA) IL Crew ARM2c Lloyd R. Morgan, 3566308 USN (MIA / KIA) OK Crew AM2c Norman M. Ostroff, 4050403 USNR (MIA / KIA) PA Crew ARM2c Eric B. Bolling, 4050403 USNR (MIA / KIA) PA Observer Lt. Donald H. Shiley, O-083362 USNR (MIA / KIA) IL MIA July 17, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation at San Diego. Constructors Number 879. At the factory painted with olive drab upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-15-CO Liberator serial number 41-24084. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Navy USN as PB4Y-1 Liberator bureau number 31952. Assigned to squadron VP-51, later redesignated VB-101. Squadron number 51-P-? (single digit unknown, likely 7, 8 or 9). This side number indicated it was the 7th, 8th or 9th aircraft from Patrol Wing 51. No known nickname or nose art. This bomber was not repainted into a Navy color scheme. Ferried from Barber's Point Airfield on Oahu then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SOPAC). On February 1, 1943 redesignated Bombing Squadron 101 (VB-101). Mission History On July 17, 1943 at 1:28am took off from Carney Field on Guadalcanal piloted by Lt(jg) John B. Haskett armed with cluster bombs on a predawn bombing mission against Kahilli Airfield (Buin) on southern Bougainville. For this mission, this bomber was temporarily assigned to Bombing Squadron 102 (VB-102). Aboard was observer Lt. Donald H. Shiley who volunteered to fly the mission in hopes of experiencing combat even though he had already received orders to be transfered home. The formation included six PB4Y-1 Liberators including three from VB-101 and three from VB-102 (including this bomber). Inbound, one VB-102 bomber aborted the mission. Meanwhile, at 2:25am a pair of J1N1 Irvings night fighters from the 251 Kōkūtai took off from Ballale Airfield on a patrol mission over southern Bougainville and the Shortland Islands. Over Kahilli Airfield (Buin) the PB4Y-1s released their cluster bombs from 12,000'. Returning from the mission, the both VB-102 bombers were intercepted by night fighters. Intercepting, J1N1 Irving piloted by Okado with observer Satoru Ono sighted a "B-24" flying in the opposite direction and made three attack run against the bomber. At 3:47am the Irving crew observed it going down in flames then returned to base safely. During the interception, witnesses aboard another PB4Y in the formation reported seeing this bomber shot down in flames. When this bomber failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search Memorials |
 PB4Y-1 MIA 12 Missing |
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