Gunner on B-25J-10-NC Mitchell #43-36149 belonging to 77th Bomb Squadron, 28th Bomb Group, 11th Air Force. Home of Record: Birmingham, Alabama. Serial #34586171. Missing Air Crew Report: 14408. Information from PacificWrecks.com:
Mission History
Took off from Attu Airfield on a mission to attack shipping in the Kurile Strait and Kataoka Harbor off Shumshu Island. Weather was clear over the target.
Over the target, this B-25 passed over a large freighter and was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the left engine, causing it to catch fire. It was also believed that the co-pilot might have been hit. A minute later, it was observed that the left landing gear extended from a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Pilot was heard to state over the radio: "This is Larsen in two-five, in flames and going down into the water." He continued to fly for five minutes at a low altitude of only 300' and then slowly descended, ditching approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore, 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up the coast of Shumshu Island. Observer to the crash, Sgt Jack Parker, a tail gunner in another B-25, stated (MACR 14408 page 6) "It didn't look to me as though anyone could have come out of that crash alive."
Declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl).
***Many thanks to Sherry SH (#48127093) for posting her photo to this memorial***
Mission History
Took off from Attu Airfield on a mission to attack shipping in the Kurile Strait and Kataoka Harbor off Shumshu Island. Weather was clear over the target.
Over the target, this B-25 passed over a large freighter and was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the left engine, causing it to catch fire. It was also believed that the co-pilot might have been hit. A minute later, it was observed that the left landing gear extended from a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Pilot was heard to state over the radio: "This is Larsen in two-five, in flames and going down into the water." He continued to fly for five minutes at a low altitude of only 300' and then slowly descended, ditching approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore, 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up the coast of Shumshu Island. Observer to the crash, Sgt Jack Parker, a tail gunner in another B-25, stated (MACR 14408 page 6) "It didn't look to me as though anyone could have come out of that crash alive."
Declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl).
***Many thanks to Sherry SH (#48127093) for posting her photo to this memorial***
Gunner on B-25J-10-NC Mitchell #43-36149 belonging to 77th Bomb Squadron, 28th Bomb Group, 11th Air Force. Home of Record: Birmingham, Alabama. Serial #34586171. Missing Air Crew Report: 14408. Information from PacificWrecks.com:
Mission History
Took off from Attu Airfield on a mission to attack shipping in the Kurile Strait and Kataoka Harbor off Shumshu Island. Weather was clear over the target.
Over the target, this B-25 passed over a large freighter and was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the left engine, causing it to catch fire. It was also believed that the co-pilot might have been hit. A minute later, it was observed that the left landing gear extended from a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Pilot was heard to state over the radio: "This is Larsen in two-five, in flames and going down into the water." He continued to fly for five minutes at a low altitude of only 300' and then slowly descended, ditching approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore, 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up the coast of Shumshu Island. Observer to the crash, Sgt Jack Parker, a tail gunner in another B-25, stated (MACR 14408 page 6) "It didn't look to me as though anyone could have come out of that crash alive."
Declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl).
***Many thanks to Sherry SH (#48127093) for posting her photo to this memorial***
Mission History
Took off from Attu Airfield on a mission to attack shipping in the Kurile Strait and Kataoka Harbor off Shumshu Island. Weather was clear over the target.
Over the target, this B-25 passed over a large freighter and was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the left engine, causing it to catch fire. It was also believed that the co-pilot might have been hit. A minute later, it was observed that the left landing gear extended from a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Pilot was heard to state over the radio: "This is Larsen in two-five, in flames and going down into the water." He continued to fly for five minutes at a low altitude of only 300' and then slowly descended, ditching approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore, 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up the coast of Shumshu Island. Observer to the crash, Sgt Jack Parker, a tail gunner in another B-25, stated (MACR 14408 page 6) "It didn't look to me as though anyone could have come out of that crash alive."
Declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl).
***Many thanks to Sherry SH (#48127093) for posting her photo to this memorial***
Inscription
ENTERED THE SERVICE FROM: ALABAMA
SERVICE: U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES, 77TH BOMBER SQUADRON, 28TH BOMBER GROUP, HEAVY
AWARDS: AIR MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, PURPLE HEART
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