On a mission on November 2, 1943, aboard B-25D Mitchell #41-30094, nicknamed "Hellzapoppin," was shot up and the crew abandoned the medium bomber off Rapopo, south of Rabaul, New Guinea. Three crewmembers were taken as POWs, and were murdered in 1944.
As the airplane was making a run on the enemy held airfield, was struck by anti-aircraft fire and a motor caught fire, but the pilot continued in on his target. After bombs were dropped, a controlled forced landing was made about three miles to the south of the target. Other B-25s in the group circled and provided cover against several Japanese Zeros attempting the strafe the downed aircrew.
KIA were:
1LT Orbry H Moore, O-793431, Murfreesboro, TN, Pilot, MIA
2LT John C Heath, O-672098, Austin, TX, Co-Pilot, MIA
TSGT John M Barron, 36321185, Phoenix, AZ, Radio Operator (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SSGT William C Harris, 6973602, Taylorsville, GA, Gunner (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SGT Michael H Kicera, 13022239. Clearfield, PA, Flight Engineer (executed 3/4-5/1944)
~
Enlisted at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1941.
As the airplane was making a run on the enemy held airfield, was struck by anti-aircraft fire and a motor caught fire, but the pilot continued in on his target. After bombs were dropped, a controlled forced landing was made about three miles to the south of the target. Other B-25s in the group circled and provided cover against several Japanese Zeros attempting the strafe the downed aircrew.
KIA were:
1LT Orbry H Moore, O-793431, Murfreesboro, TN, Pilot, MIA
2LT John C Heath, O-672098, Austin, TX, Co-Pilot, MIA
TSGT John M Barron, 36321185, Phoenix, AZ, Radio Operator (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SSGT William C Harris, 6973602, Taylorsville, GA, Gunner (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SGT Michael H Kicera, 13022239. Clearfield, PA, Flight Engineer (executed 3/4-5/1944)
~
Enlisted at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1941.
On a mission on November 2, 1943, aboard B-25D Mitchell #41-30094, nicknamed "Hellzapoppin," was shot up and the crew abandoned the medium bomber off Rapopo, south of Rabaul, New Guinea. Three crewmembers were taken as POWs, and were murdered in 1944.
As the airplane was making a run on the enemy held airfield, was struck by anti-aircraft fire and a motor caught fire, but the pilot continued in on his target. After bombs were dropped, a controlled forced landing was made about three miles to the south of the target. Other B-25s in the group circled and provided cover against several Japanese Zeros attempting the strafe the downed aircrew.
KIA were:
1LT Orbry H Moore, O-793431, Murfreesboro, TN, Pilot, MIA
2LT John C Heath, O-672098, Austin, TX, Co-Pilot, MIA
TSGT John M Barron, 36321185, Phoenix, AZ, Radio Operator (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SSGT William C Harris, 6973602, Taylorsville, GA, Gunner (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SGT Michael H Kicera, 13022239. Clearfield, PA, Flight Engineer (executed 3/4-5/1944)
~
Enlisted at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1941.
As the airplane was making a run on the enemy held airfield, was struck by anti-aircraft fire and a motor caught fire, but the pilot continued in on his target. After bombs were dropped, a controlled forced landing was made about three miles to the south of the target. Other B-25s in the group circled and provided cover against several Japanese Zeros attempting the strafe the downed aircrew.
KIA were:
1LT Orbry H Moore, O-793431, Murfreesboro, TN, Pilot, MIA
2LT John C Heath, O-672098, Austin, TX, Co-Pilot, MIA
TSGT John M Barron, 36321185, Phoenix, AZ, Radio Operator (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SSGT William C Harris, 6973602, Taylorsville, GA, Gunner (executed 3/4-5/1944)
SGT Michael H Kicera, 13022239. Clearfield, PA, Flight Engineer (executed 3/4-5/1944)
~
Enlisted at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1941.
Inscription
SGT, 501 AAF BOMB SQ, 345 BOMB GP WORLD WAR II
Gravesite Details
Burial March 21, 1950.
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