MIKESELL, William W, Staff Sergeant, 868th Bomber Squadron, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces, Service# 15019606, Enl: Ohio, MIA 11-June-1944, d.d. 21-Feb-1946
Awarded Air Medal, Purple Heart
Parents, Harry and Blanche Mikesell
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B-24J-85-CO Liberator Serial Number 42-100273
USAAF, 13th AF, 868th BS

Pilot 2nd Lt. Donald W. Dyer, O-678201 (MIA / KIA) Hermosa Beach, CA
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. George M. Jones, O-691049 (MIA / KIA) Conway, AR
Navigator 2nd Lt. John E. Malley, O-689620 (MIA / KIA) Houston, TX
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Charles L. Frank, Jr., O-751898 (MIA / KIA) Woodmont, CT
Engineer SSgt William E. Grenz, 37263695 (MIA / KIA) Lake Benton, MN
Asst. Engineer SSgt Bernard A. Malinowski, 36216903 (MIA / KIA) Milwaukee WI
Radio SSgt Walter Martin, 35671201 (MIA / KIA) Larue, KY
Radar SSgt Seymour J. Stoller, 32419449 (MIA / KIA) New York, NY
Gunner SSgt Melvin W. Ott, 32830456 (MIA / KIA) Buffalo, NY
Gunner SSgt William Mikesell, 15019606 (MIA / KIA) Yongstown, OH
MIA June 11, 1944 at 2:30am
MACR 6138

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 3422. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-85-CO Liberator serial number 42-100273. Converted into a radar equipped SB-24 Liberator for use on night "snooper" missions. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC).

Wartime History
Assigned to the 13th Air Force, 868th Bombardment Squadron (868th BS) "Snooper Squadron" as a SB-24J Liberator. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-1830-65 serial numbers BP-42934, BP-429392, BP-429662 and BP-42934. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 6138 (MACR 6138).

Mission History
On June 11, 1944 took off from Mokerang Airfield on Los Negros on a radar "snooper" mission against Truk. Weather was reported as good. Over the target, this B-24 was believed to be lost due to either enemy anti-aircraft fire or a night fighter.

In the same formation, B-24 piloted by Rockwood observed a large burning object descending approximately 20 miles northwest of Faleu Island before reportedly crashing onto Faleu Island where it broke into two pieces and burned brightly for at least twenty minutes. Another B-24 piloted by Haynes observed the same B-24 explode in mid-air and appeared to go down in a flat spin and crashed, breaking into several pieces onto land and burn for a long time.
pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/42-100273.html
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William served as a Staff Sergeant & Gunner on SB-24J #42-100273, 868th Bomber Squadron, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He resided in Mahoning County, Ohio prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on June 11, 1941, prior to the war, at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Sales clerk and also as Single, without dependents.

SB-24J #42-100273 took off from Mokerang Airfield on a radar "snooper" bombing mission against Truk. This B-24 was believed to be lost due to either enemy anti-aircraft fire or a night fighter and reportedly crashed on Faleu Island during the war.

William was declared "Missing In Action" on this mission.

He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Service # 15019606

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Airmen who perished on this SB-24J:

Dyer, Donald W ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, CA
Frank, Charles L, Jr ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, CT
Grenz, William E ~ S/Sgt, Engineer, MN
Jones, George M ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, AR
Malinowski, Bernard A ~ S/Sgt, Asst. Engineer, WI
Malley, John E ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, PA
Martin, Walter ~ S/Sgt, Radio Operator, KY
Mikesell, William W ~ S/Sgt, Gunner, OH
Ott, Melvin W ~ S/Sgt, Gunner, NY
Stoller, Seymour J ~ S/Sgt, Radar Operator, NY

Bottom Bio & Crew Report by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

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