B-24J 42-73029 January 2, 1944

[wrjorgen]

My name is Warren Jorgenson and I'm requesting the members help in locating any information about my Uncle who was killed over the South Pacific on January 2, 1944. I have some information on our website at https://sites.google.com/site/jorgenson ... e-of-honor

Staff Sergeant Donald S. Jorgenson was assigned to the 7th Air Force, The 11th Bombardment Group(H), 431st Squadron.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Warren

[Bill M]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18532986@N07/4425684669/#/

The title claims this B-24 is 42-73029.
cheers
Bill.

[kiwi escape]

Donald S Jorgenson was aboard B-24D 42-72969. See:http://www.footnote.com/image/#28719205

For a picture of this aircraft see: http://www.b24bestweb.com/vulnerablevirgin.htm

Pete

[FinishForty]

Warren, I can't add much to what others have shared except that Maloelap was one of the best defended targets the 11th Bomb Group had to strike to that point in the war. The island had a centralized gun control system with radar on the island of Taroa. (Maloelap is an atoll, Taroa was the key island where the Japanese had their airstrip.) Taroa was a threat to Americans on Tarawa, which had been secured about a month and a half earlier, which is why Taroa was targeted for air strikes. 11th BG losses were so heavy against Taroa that in January, 1944 the decision was made to bomb the island only under cover of darkness. Of course that decision came too late for many crews.