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| USN VD-3  VD-3 1944 |
Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation at San Diego as Model 32. Constructors Number 1351. On December 28, 1942 accepted by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-30-CO Liberator serial number 42-40121. On January 26, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as PB4Y-1 Liberator bureau number 31987 at Fort Worth. Converted into a PB4Y-1P photographic reconnaissance version with four radar antenna "whiskers". Wartime History Assigned to Photographic Squadron Three (VD-3). Squadron Number 9 in black. Assigned to Commander Robert J. Stroh, Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the squadron. Nicknamed "Bull of the Woods" in block letters a white outline with "Bull" and "Woods" capitalized with the nose art of a standing bulldog flexing and below "Bulldog" in a cursive font with white outline. The term "Bull of the Woods" was slang for a a pompous, domineering boss or supervisor. A scoreboard with tally mark indicating at least 20 missions in four groups of five. On January 2, 1944 at 9:19pm took off piloted by Commander Robert J. Stroh on a flight to Tarawa Airfield for a meeting with the Commander of Task Force 57 (TF-57). On January 3, 1944 took off from Tarawa Airfield on a flight to Apemama Airfield (Apamama) landing at 8:06am. On January 5, 1944at 2:00am took off from Apemama Airfield (Apamama) piloted by Commander Robert J. Stroh with PB4Y-1 Liberator 32019 piloted by Lt. Larren M. Allen on a low level oblique photographic reconnaissance mission over Kwajalein Atoll. Flying at an altitude of 200', the pair photographed a section of the seaward beach on the northern side of the atoll from Roi to the west. Departing the target area, the pair were intercepted by twelve Japanese fighters and PB4Y-1 Liberator 32019 was shot down at approximately 5:15am and crashed into the sea about 15 miles south of Kwajalein Atoll. This plane returned Apemama Airfield (Apamama) at 11:07am. On January 18, 1944 at 10:54pm took off from Apemama Airfield (Apamama) piloted by Commander Robert J. Stroh on a flight to Canton Airfield arriving January 19, 1944 at 4:01am and for several days underwent routine upkeep and overhaul. On February 2, 1944 at 9:30am took off on a flight to Tarawa Airfield for a meeting with the Commander of Task Force 57 (TF-57). On February 3, 1944 in the early morning took off from Tarawa Airfield on a flight back to Apemama Airfield (Apamama) landing at 4:05am. At 9:00pm took off piloted by Commander Robert J. Stroh escorted by PB4Y-1 Liberator from VB-108 that aborts due to engine trouble plus PB4Y-1 Liberator from VB-109 on a photographic reconnaissance mission and bombing mission from 2,300' over Wotje. This bomber took vertical photographs over the area and the planes did not encounter any anti-aircraft fire or fighters. On February 4, 1944 at 6:00am returned to land at Apemama Airfield. On February 23, 1944 at 9:00m took off piloted by Commander Robert J. Stroh on a flight to Tarawa Airfield for a meeting with the Commander of Task Force 57 (TF-57). On February 24, 1944 took off from Tarawa Airfield on a flight to Canton Airfield landing at 10:50am. On September 15, 1944 assigned to Fleet Air Wing 14 (FAW-14), Headquarters Squadron (HEDRON). Fate On September 30, 1944 stricken off charge. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Memorials Stroh died May 29, 2003 at age 95 in Mandarin, FL. He was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea per his wishes. References Note, many sources list incorrectly list the date of the January 5, 1944 mission as January 4, 1944 incorrectly. USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-30-CO Liberator 42-40121 "40121 to USN as PB4Y-1 31987." Navy Serial Number Search Results PB4Y-1 Liberator 31987 "31987 (ex USAAF B-24D 42-40121)" U.S. Navy PB4Y Airframe History List - PB4Y-1 31987 "PB4Y-1 / 31987 / B-24D-30-CO / 42-40121 / reference to assignment to VD-5 [sic VD-3] NARA VD-3 War History page 6 (Page 6) "5 January 1944. Two plane. Low oblique photo reconnaissance mission against Kwajalein Atoll. The planes were attacked by twelve enemy fighters as the retired from the target. One plane, Bureau No 32019, pilot Lt. Larren M. Allen, was shot down and seen to crash about fifteen miles south of the [Kwajalein] Atoll. The entire crew was listed as missing in action." NARA VD-3 War Diary January 1944 pages 2-3 (January 5, 1944) NARA VD-3 War Diary February 1944 pages 11 (February 2-4, 1944), 15-16 (February 23-24, 1944) FindAGrave - VADM Robert J. Stroh (photos) Thanks to Bob Livingstone for additional information Contribute
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