Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 2661. Assigned U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-10-CO Liberator serial number 42-73091. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as PB5Y-1 Liberator bureau number 32170. Assigned to squadron VB-115. No known nickname or nose art.

Wartime History
On March 20, 1944 ferried from Kaneohe Field across the Pacific to the South Pacific before arriving at Munda Airfield on March 25, 1944.

On March 28, 1944 took off from Munda Airfield on New Georgia piloted by Lt(jg) Hamilton M. Dawes, Jr. on a mission over Satawan Island. Over the target, intercepted by three enemy fighters and seriously damaged with 24 hits. Aboard, turret gunner Louis A. Chiles, 6412371 USNR suffered a slight flesh wound in the arm from enemy fire. The gunners claimed one enemy fighter damaged.

Mission History
On April 28, 1944 while landing at Nissan Airfield (Green Island) this bomber blew a tire causing it to ground loop. The crew were unhurt in the crash. Afterwards, written off.

References
NARA USN Bombing Squadron 115 War Diary - March 1944 page 5
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-10-CO Liberator 42-73091
Navy Serial Number Search Results - PB4Y-1 Liberator 32170

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Last Updated
November 9, 2019