Memorial marker as he is buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Lemay, Missouri.
Staff Sergeant/Waist Gunner aboard B-24J #42-73117, nicknamed "Doodlebug."
On January 19, 1944 the airmen took off from Long Airfield, Douglas-Daly, Northern Territory, Australia on a bombing mission against Japanese targets over Ambon, Maluku Province, Indonesia (known as Dutch East Indies at the time). Over the target, the Liberator was intercepted by Japanese fighters and damaged. Escorted by two other B-24s, his bomber faltered while returning over the Banda Sea, about 130 miles south of Ambon and went down at Serua Island.
Six crew members were killed. Four officers and a staff sergeant survived the ditching and were rescued.
Killed In Action were:
S/Sgt. William G Benshoff, Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Boyd H Lewallen, Gunner
Sgt. Charles R Owen, Waist Gunner
Sgt. J T Parks, Tail Gunner
Sgt. Billie T Templeton, Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Samuel Zelby, Radio Operator
Entered the service from Pennsylvania; Service ID: 13087953.
Enlisted at Pittsburgh, PA, July 11, 1942.
Memorial marker as he is buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Lemay, Missouri.
Staff Sergeant/Waist Gunner aboard B-24J #42-73117, nicknamed "Doodlebug."
On January 19, 1944 the airmen took off from Long Airfield, Douglas-Daly, Northern Territory, Australia on a bombing mission against Japanese targets over Ambon, Maluku Province, Indonesia (known as Dutch East Indies at the time). Over the target, the Liberator was intercepted by Japanese fighters and damaged. Escorted by two other B-24s, his bomber faltered while returning over the Banda Sea, about 130 miles south of Ambon and went down at Serua Island.
Six crew members were killed. Four officers and a staff sergeant survived the ditching and were rescued.
Killed In Action were:
S/Sgt. William G Benshoff, Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Boyd H Lewallen, Gunner
Sgt. Charles R Owen, Waist Gunner
Sgt. J T Parks, Tail Gunner
Sgt. Billie T Templeton, Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Samuel Zelby, Radio Operator
Entered the service from Pennsylvania; Service ID: 13087953.
Enlisted at Pittsburgh, PA, July 11, 1942.
Inscription
SSGT, 531 AAF BOMB SQ, 380 BOMB GP WORLD WAR II
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