"Liet. Victor V. Brooksby, son of Emma J. Brooksby of Fredonia, Arizona, has been missing in action, following a battle south of Port Moresby, New Guinea, July 14th, 1943." was on a telegram from the Adjutant General sent in care of Sheriff Brown.
Victor was born June 14, 1919, in Fredonia, Arizona, to William and Emma Jensen Brooksby.
He enlisted in the Army September, 24, 1940. He and his cousin Marvin Brooksby enlisted in Cedar City, Utah, and after spending a week at Fort Douglas, they were sent to Hamilton Field, California, as enlisted aircraft mechanics. They arrived there October 5, 1940. They were sent to Elmendorf Field, Alaska, and arrived there February 21, 1941.
Victor wanted to be a pilot so he left Alaska in November 1941 alone, and was transferred to King City, California, and left there on January 21, 1942.
He was transferred to Moffett Field, Palo Alto, California, January 21, 1942. He graduated from the Air Corp May 21, 1942 and received his commission there. He left Mar 24, 1942.
He was sent to Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he spent six months at the bomber base, the last part of which he spent training bombardiers. He received his 1st lieutenant commission on April 3, 1943.
From here he was transferred to South Carolina at the Columbia Base. He left Albuquerque, November 2, 1942, he arrived at South Carolina November 7, 1942. In March 1943, Victor was given a new B-25, or Billy Mitchell bomber. He named his ship the "Round Robin" hoping to make many round trips. He received his commission as Flight Officer, January 3, 1943.
On April 6, 1943 the orders to go to England were canceled for 345th Squadron to go to England, and instead were sent to the South Pacific. Names were chosen for the squadrons and the 498th became the "Falcons"
The whole Company of some fifteen hundred men, including the ground crew, were sent to California for a three week rest period before being sent over seas. Victor flew his ship from South Carolina in formation with the rest of his company to El Paso, Texas, then on to Hamilton Field, California. On May 1st, 1943 The Company left for Australia, stopping in Hawaii, to Christmas Island then some flew to American Samoa while others flew to Canton Island, Fiji, and then to Australia. When they were at Woodstock Air Field, Queensland, Australia. (near Charter Towers) Victor had an appointment with the Captain and while he was there, his co-pilot took the Round Robin up and they crashed on take-off. The crew was injured, and they had to wait for a new ship. While they were grounded for three weeks, Victor had bought a motorcycle and was sure having fun on it. It was shipped to New Guinea for him when they were transferred to Jackson Air Field in New Guinea by June, 1943
MISSING AIRCRAFT REPORT:
APO 920; Fifth group 345th Bomb Gp; Squadron 498th Bomb Sq; Leaving Jackson Strip APO 929:
Crew:
Pilot: Victor V. Brooksby
Co-Pilot: Frank A Gerber
Bombardier: Robert E Gagen
Engineer: Ephriam R Poole
Radio: Paul B Drinkard
Gunner: Adam V Domijan
On 14 July, 1943, Lt. Brooksby and crew took off from APO 929 on a patrol mission, off the coast of New Guinea. They were ordered to patrol a Allied shipping lane, to protect ships while en route to New Guinea from Australia, against enemy action. Approximately two hours after take-off the plane was last seen by a friendly destroyer in close vicinity to the coast of New Guinea. When the plane did not return to the Base at a late hour, Search patrols were conducted. It was presumed that the plane crashed into the Coral Sea. No wreckage or further evidence of the crash were discovered.
His name is listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines