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| USN USS Saratoga (CV_3) VT-12 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Stephen A. Nyarady,121489 (rescued) Bronx, NY Gunner AOM2c Harlan J. Burrus, 6103156 USNR (rescued) Buchanan, MI Radio ARM2c S. H. Wright (rescued) Crashed November 2, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as a model G-40. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TBF-1 Avenger bureau number 06117. Wartime History Assigned to USS Saratoga (CV-3) to squadron VT-12. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off from USS Saratoga (CV-3) piloted by Lt(jg) Stephen A. Nyarady on a bombing mission against Buka Airfield on Buka Island. After take off, this Avenger ditched overboard. The entire crew survived unhurt. Fates of the Crew All three crew survived the ditching unhurt and were rescued. On November 11, 1943 both Nyarady and Burrus were lost aboard TBF Avenger 23973. Both were captured by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) 81st Guards Unit and both became Prisoners Of War (POWs) at the Rabaul POW Prison at Rabaul. According to Catholic Father Joseph Lamarre, Burrus was one of twelve prisoners taken away from the camp on November 24, 1943. The Japanese guards told the civilian prisoners that the twelve were being taken to Japan. Lamarre wrote in his statement dated April 12, 1946, "About two weeks later Indian prisoners of war told me that twelve American airmen had been beheaded on the outskirts of Rabaul." Nyarady survived captivity and was liberated at the end of the Pacific War. Memorials Burrus was officially declared dead on January 11, 1946. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBF-1 Avenger 06117 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List November 1943 - TBF-1 Avenger 06117 NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Harlan J. Burrus American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Harlan J. Burrus FindAGrave - AOM2 Harlan J Burrus (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated May 10, 2025 |
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