WOODSON, William E, Second Lieutenant, 405th Bomber Squadron, 38th Bomber Group, Medium, U.S. Army Air Forces, Service# 0-673054, Enl: Missouri, d.d. 22-Jan-1946
Awarded Air Medal and Purple Heart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-25D-10 "Lucky Star" Serial Number 41-30183, USAAF, 5th AF, 38th BG 405th BS
38th BG Sept 1943 Pilot 2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore, O-795427 (MIA / KIA) WV
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Robert B. Reese, O-675002 (MIA / KIA) Colfax, LA
Bomb / Nav 2nd Lt William E. Woodson, O-706554 (MIA / KIA) Mardin, MO
Radio S/Sgt Charlie H. Moore, 34382796 (MIA / KIA) Columbia SC
Engineer Sgt Kenneth W. Wallace, 36062345 (MIA / KIA) Ehallyville, IL
Ditched October 16, 1943 at 11:03 hours
MACR 901
Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U.S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 405th Bombardment Group. Nicknamed "Lucky Star" with the nose art of a star. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-30955 and 41-29832. Weapon serial numbers noted on MACR.
Mission History
On October 16, 1943 took off from 17-Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby via Marilinan on a strike mission over Alexishafen. Leaving the target, two "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) made a frontal attack at the formation, damaging this B-25 and causing it to veer up out of formation.
Fellow B-25 piloted by 1st Lt. Richard Slye and 2nd Lt. John J. Shields observed the pilots of the damaged B-25 removing their helmets and releasing the escape hatch in preparation for a crash landing. The cowling of the right motor was missing, and engine smoking. Before ditching into the sea south-east of Madang, both engines were feathered. On impact, the B-25 bounced several feet and remain afloat for about five minutes at roughly 5 15' S, 145 53' E.
Fates of the Crew
One man was observed seen swimming near the right wing. Another squadron of B-25s reported four "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) strafing the area afterwards. It is possible, but improbable that one or more of the crew might have survived to be taken prisoner. None were ever seen again.
Search
Major George B. Marzolf was placed in charge of the search mission. Arrangements were made for PT Boats to search the area of the crash landing, however nothing was reported or found.
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 22, 1946. All are memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-30183.html
Awarded Air Medal and Purple Heart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-25D-10 "Lucky Star" Serial Number 41-30183, USAAF, 5th AF, 38th BG 405th BS
38th BG Sept 1943 Pilot 2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore, O-795427 (MIA / KIA) WV
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Robert B. Reese, O-675002 (MIA / KIA) Colfax, LA
Bomb / Nav 2nd Lt William E. Woodson, O-706554 (MIA / KIA) Mardin, MO
Radio S/Sgt Charlie H. Moore, 34382796 (MIA / KIA) Columbia SC
Engineer Sgt Kenneth W. Wallace, 36062345 (MIA / KIA) Ehallyville, IL
Ditched October 16, 1943 at 11:03 hours
MACR 901
Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U.S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 405th Bombardment Group. Nicknamed "Lucky Star" with the nose art of a star. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-30955 and 41-29832. Weapon serial numbers noted on MACR.
Mission History
On October 16, 1943 took off from 17-Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby via Marilinan on a strike mission over Alexishafen. Leaving the target, two "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) made a frontal attack at the formation, damaging this B-25 and causing it to veer up out of formation.
Fellow B-25 piloted by 1st Lt. Richard Slye and 2nd Lt. John J. Shields observed the pilots of the damaged B-25 removing their helmets and releasing the escape hatch in preparation for a crash landing. The cowling of the right motor was missing, and engine smoking. Before ditching into the sea south-east of Madang, both engines were feathered. On impact, the B-25 bounced several feet and remain afloat for about five minutes at roughly 5 15' S, 145 53' E.
Fates of the Crew
One man was observed seen swimming near the right wing. Another squadron of B-25s reported four "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) strafing the area afterwards. It is possible, but improbable that one or more of the crew might have survived to be taken prisoner. None were ever seen again.
Search
Major George B. Marzolf was placed in charge of the search mission. Arrangements were made for PT Boats to search the area of the crash landing, however nothing was reported or found.
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 22, 1946. All are memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-30183.html
WOODSON, William E, Second Lieutenant, 405th Bomber Squadron, 38th Bomber Group, Medium, U.S. Army Air Forces, Service# 0-673054, Enl: Missouri, d.d. 22-Jan-1946
Awarded Air Medal and Purple Heart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-25D-10 "Lucky Star" Serial Number 41-30183, USAAF, 5th AF, 38th BG 405th BS
38th BG Sept 1943 Pilot 2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore, O-795427 (MIA / KIA) WV
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Robert B. Reese, O-675002 (MIA / KIA) Colfax, LA
Bomb / Nav 2nd Lt William E. Woodson, O-706554 (MIA / KIA) Mardin, MO
Radio S/Sgt Charlie H. Moore, 34382796 (MIA / KIA) Columbia SC
Engineer Sgt Kenneth W. Wallace, 36062345 (MIA / KIA) Ehallyville, IL
Ditched October 16, 1943 at 11:03 hours
MACR 901
Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U.S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 405th Bombardment Group. Nicknamed "Lucky Star" with the nose art of a star. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-30955 and 41-29832. Weapon serial numbers noted on MACR.
Mission History
On October 16, 1943 took off from 17-Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby via Marilinan on a strike mission over Alexishafen. Leaving the target, two "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) made a frontal attack at the formation, damaging this B-25 and causing it to veer up out of formation.
Fellow B-25 piloted by 1st Lt. Richard Slye and 2nd Lt. John J. Shields observed the pilots of the damaged B-25 removing their helmets and releasing the escape hatch in preparation for a crash landing. The cowling of the right motor was missing, and engine smoking. Before ditching into the sea south-east of Madang, both engines were feathered. On impact, the B-25 bounced several feet and remain afloat for about five minutes at roughly 5 15' S, 145 53' E.
Fates of the Crew
One man was observed seen swimming near the right wing. Another squadron of B-25s reported four "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) strafing the area afterwards. It is possible, but improbable that one or more of the crew might have survived to be taken prisoner. None were ever seen again.
Search
Major George B. Marzolf was placed in charge of the search mission. Arrangements were made for PT Boats to search the area of the crash landing, however nothing was reported or found.
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 22, 1946. All are memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-30183.html
Awarded Air Medal and Purple Heart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-25D-10 "Lucky Star" Serial Number 41-30183, USAAF, 5th AF, 38th BG 405th BS
38th BG Sept 1943 Pilot 2nd Lt Spencer M. Moore, O-795427 (MIA / KIA) WV
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Robert B. Reese, O-675002 (MIA / KIA) Colfax, LA
Bomb / Nav 2nd Lt William E. Woodson, O-706554 (MIA / KIA) Mardin, MO
Radio S/Sgt Charlie H. Moore, 34382796 (MIA / KIA) Columbia SC
Engineer Sgt Kenneth W. Wallace, 36062345 (MIA / KIA) Ehallyville, IL
Ditched October 16, 1943 at 11:03 hours
MACR 901
Aircraft History
Built by North American. Delivered to the U.S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hawaii to Australia.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 405th Bombardment Group. Nicknamed "Lucky Star" with the nose art of a star. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-30955 and 41-29832. Weapon serial numbers noted on MACR.
Mission History
On October 16, 1943 took off from 17-Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby via Marilinan on a strike mission over Alexishafen. Leaving the target, two "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) made a frontal attack at the formation, damaging this B-25 and causing it to veer up out of formation.
Fellow B-25 piloted by 1st Lt. Richard Slye and 2nd Lt. John J. Shields observed the pilots of the damaged B-25 removing their helmets and releasing the escape hatch in preparation for a crash landing. The cowling of the right motor was missing, and engine smoking. Before ditching into the sea south-east of Madang, both engines were feathered. On impact, the B-25 bounced several feet and remain afloat for about five minutes at roughly 5 15' S, 145 53' E.
Fates of the Crew
One man was observed seen swimming near the right wing. Another squadron of B-25s reported four "Zeros" (Ki-43 Oscars) strafing the area afterwards. It is possible, but improbable that one or more of the crew might have survived to be taken prisoner. None were ever seen again.
Search
Major George B. Marzolf was placed in charge of the search mission. Arrangements were made for PT Boats to search the area of the crash landing, however nothing was reported or found.
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on January 22, 1946. All are memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-30183.html
Inscription
WOODSON WILLIAM E - 2 LT- 405 BOMB SQ 38 BOMB GP (M) - MO
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