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| USN VB-139 |
Pilot Lt. J. H. Moore (rescued) Co-Pilot Ensign Mitchel F. Lambert, O-251347 USNR (MIA / KIA) VT Crew Ensign Robert E. Janson, O-291060 USNR, VP-43 (MIA / KIA) OH Crew AOM2c Victor O. Mog, 3054219 USNR (MIA / KIA) WI Crew AR2c Gordon F. Heckendorn (KIA, BR) Crew ? (rescued) Crew ? (rescued) Ditched March 25, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed as model 237-27-01 in Burbank. Constructors Number 237-5352. Delivered to the United States Navy (USN) as PV-1 Ventura bureau number 33343. Wartime History Assigned to Bombing Squadron 139 (VB-139). Squadron number 28 was painted on the side of the nose and tail. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On March 25, 1944 took off from Attu Airfield on Attu Island piloted by Lt. J. H. Moore as one of five Ventura on an "Empire Express" bombing and reconnaissance mission over Shumshu Island. Soon after take off, this bomber crash landed into Masscare Bay. Heckendorn was killed in the crash. Three others went Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew After the crash, three were rescued: Moore and two others. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of Heckendorn were recovered and buried. Memorials The three missing crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. All three are memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing. Lambert and Janson on court 3. Mog on court 1. Heckendorn was buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona, WI at garden section D lot 213 space 6. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - PV-1 Ventura 33343 "33343 (VB-139) w/o 25-Mar-44 Masscare Bay, Attu, Ak. Flew into water on take-off. 5 killed" USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List March 1944 - PV-1 Ventura 33343 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Mitchel F. Lambert American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert E. Janson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Victor O. Mog FindAGrave - Mitchel F. Lambert (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Robert E. Janson (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Victor O. Mog (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Robert E Janson (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Gordon Frederick Heckendorn (grave) The Last Flight of Bomber 31 (2004) page 296 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 4, 2022 |
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