U.S. ARMY

Joseph's remains were found and recovered in the early 1980's. He was interred as Joseph Kaczorek, Jr at Saint Adelbert's Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A "Rosette" was placed in front of his name here at the Tablets of the missing at the Manila American Cemetery to signify that his remains were recovered.

Son of Mrs. Stella Kachorek who resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Joseph served as a Technician Fourth Grade, 5th Field Hospital, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on February 24, 1942 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a professional and personal service attendant and also as Single, without dependents.

Joseph was a passenger on B-24D "Weezie" #42-41081 which was part of the CRTC (Combat Replacement Training Center), 5th Air Force.

The "Weezie" was originally part of the 320th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group but was transferred to the CRTC (Combat Replacement Training Center) at Nadzab No. 4 Airfield known as Newton Field in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

They took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby on a courier flight bound for Nadzab Airfield. Aboard were 3 crew members and 19 passengers. Over the Owen Stanley Mountains, this B-24 crashed into Mount Thumb, killing everyone aboard on impact. It has not been determined why they crashed.

Joseph was declared "Missing In Action" as a result of this crash.

His status was later changed to "Killed In The Line Of Duty" when his remains were recovered.

Service # 33170120

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Servicemen who perished on B-24D #42-41081:

Allred, Robert E ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, IA

Atkins, Harold T ~ 1st Sgt, Passenger, MT

Barnard, Charles R ~ Capt, Passenger, OH

Butler, Clint P ~ Sgt, Passenger, AR

Carpenter, Thomas J, Jr ~ S/Sgt, Passenger, AL

Frazier, Weldon W ~ 1st Sgt, Passenger, TX

Geis, Raymond J, Jr ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, IL

Ginter, Frank ~ S/Sgt, Passenger, NY

Gross, Stanley G ~ 2nd Lt, Passenger, IL

Holm, Keith T ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, NE

Kachorek, Joseph E ~ T/4, Passenger, WI

Landrum, Harvey E, Jr ~ 2nd Lt, Passenger, TX

Lawrence, Stanley C ~ Sgt, Passenger, WI

Loop, Carlin E ~ Pfc, Passenger, KS

Mettam, Joseph B ~ Cpl, Passenger, CA

Samples, Charles, Jr ~ Sgt, Passenger, WV

Shrake, William M ~ S/Sgt, Passenger, IN

Staseowski, John J ~ S/Sgt, Passenger, MA

Steiner, Charles R ~ 2nd Lt, Passenger, OH

Thompson, Robert C ~ S/Sgt, Passenger, AL

Walker, Melvin F ~ 2nd Lt, Passenger, WI

Young, Emory C ~ 2nd Lt, Passenger, IL

Bio & Listing by:

Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

Special thanks to:

Janice Hollandsworth for noticing that his remains were recovered!

( Information from multiple sources, including Military & Private, were used to compile his biography and the crew listing. )

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Joseph E. Kachorek, Jr. was a passenger on the B-24D #42-41081 "Weezie" when they took off from an airfield near Port Moresby on a courier flight bound for Nadzab Airfield. Aboard were three crew and nineteen passengers Over the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea, they crashed into Mount Thumb, killing everyone aboard on impact.During the early 1980's, the crash site was discovered by local bird hunters. Some remains of each of the members lost in the crash were recovered and identified by authorities who investigated the area. It is currently unknown where he was interred.

U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men

Name: Joseph Edward Kachorek

Race: White

Age: 29

Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)

Birth Date: 6 Jul 1911

Birth Place: Forest City, Pennsylvania, USA

Residence Place: Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA

Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940

Registration Place: Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA

Employer: John F Glinsky

Weight: 201

Complexion: Light Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Brown

Height: 71

Next of Kin: John F Glinsky