Papua-New Guinea 1942 – ww2 Pacific

Carter, Joe A.

Rank and Name, Sergeant Joe A. Carter.

Unit/Placed in, 30th Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Group, Heavy, United States Army Air Forces.

Joe is born on May 10 1920 in Oregon.

Joe enlisted the service in Oregon with service number # 6579316.

Joe‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17 were,

1^st Lt. Daniel W. Fagan Pilot

2ndLt. Robert R. Meyer Jr. Co-Pilot

2ndLt. Ralph Howard Navigator

2ndLt. Jim S. Grant Bombardier

Sgt. Joe A. Carter Top Turret Gunner

Sgt. Edward L. Hardgrove Ball Turret

Sgt. Paul A. Reimer Waist Gunner

Sgt. Elton J. Rose Tail Gunner

This was the 113th E model built and the first with a Sperry ball turret.

Joe was KIA/MIA they crashed into Mt. Obree in New Guinea on, Apr 25, 1942. and he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Wreck discovered in 1986.

When an individual’s remains have been accounted for by the U.S. Department of Defense, a rosette is placed next to the name on the Wall/Tablet/Court of the Missing to mark that the person now rests in a known gravesite.

Joe and his Crewmembers remains were found and they are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-2505.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery, https://www.dpaa.mil/

TWS Roll of Honor, togetherweserved.com

Smith, Albert H.

Rank and Name, Corporal Albert H. Smith.

Unit/Placed in, 90^th Bomber Squadron, 3^rd Bomber Group (Light), United States Army Air Force.

Albert is born approx. on no record.

Father, no record.

Mother, no record.

Sister(s), no record.

Brother(s), no record.

Albert enlisted the service in Louisiana with service number # 6971033.

Albert‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-25 were,

1^st Lt. John E. Hesselbarth Pilot

2^nd Lt. Joseph W. Ferguson Co Pilot

TSgt. Ivan M. Wright

Corporal George E. Thigpin

Corporal Hugh W. Douglas

Corporal Albert H. Smith

Albert was KIA on a Combat Mission when the plane was attacked by a few A6M2 Zero’s on 25 May 1942, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Albert is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-12448.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery, https://www.dpaa.mil/

During World War II, the 90th, a Bombardment Squadron, operated in the South Pacific, flying A-20 Havoc and B-25 Mitchell aircraft. Their main mission involved highly-dangerous skip bombings. In an effort to improve the effectiveness and protection of the 3d Bombardment Group’s pilots, The modification replaced the forward bombardier with four forwards firing .50 caliber machine guns, supplemented with two twin .50 caliber gun packages side mounted on the fuselage. The lower turret was discarded. The A-20s received similar modifications. The modified aircraft were first employed by the 90th and proved exceptionally effective, receiving the nickname ‘commerce destroyers.’ During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, every aircraft in the 90th scored a hit on the Japanese convoy of 18 ships. It was the first sea-level attack by B-25 strafes in World War II and demonstrated that this tactic was extremely effective. The squadron also participated in the raids on Wewak, New Guinea, which were preemptive strikes that virtually ended the threat of enemy offensive air capabilities.

Excerpt – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/90th_Fighter_Squadron

Garcia, Ambrosio

Rank and Name, Private Ambrosio Garcia Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division.

Ambrosio is born on 1919 in New Mexico.

Father, Ambrosio Garcia.

Ambrosio enlisted the service in New Mexico with service number # 38070287.

Ambrosio was KIA when he was shot near Buna at Coconut Grove on 16 Dec. 1942, he is honored with a Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Ambrosio is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Thanks to, http://www.32nd-division.org/history/ww2/32ww2-1.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery, https://www.dpaa.mil/

O’Beirne Jr. , Clarence Barron

Name and Rank, Second Lieutenant Clarence Barron O’Beirne Jr.

Unit/placed in, 400th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group (Heavy).

Clarence was born approx. on 15 Aug. in Dallas, Texas.

Father, Clarence B. O’Beirne Sr.

Mother, Mary B. (Wilkinson) O’Beirne.

Sisters, Elizabeth, Marian, Kathleen, Marjorie and Jane O’Beirne.

Brother, Jack O’Beirne.

Clarence entered the Service from Texas with servicenumber # 0-725520.

Clarence O’Beirne Jr. was a no record (Posistion) in the 400th Bomber Squadron.

Clarence’s crewmembers onboard the B-24 were,

2nd Lt. John M. Rafferty Pilot

2nd Lt. Eric J. Day Co Pilot

2nd Lt. Clarence b. O’Beirne Crew

2nd Lt. Willard F. Wright Crew

S/Sgt. Robert M. Dorey Crew

S/Sgt. Eddie C. Rosberry JR. Crew

S/Sgt. Conrad W. Wahl Crew

S/Sgt. Alexander Zilbert Crew

Sgt. Walter P. Szeliga Crew

Sgt. Henry M. Vigneault Crew

Clarence was KIA when…..

They took off from 5 Mile Drome, near Port Moresby.

on a recon mission.

Nearly there they did let the tower know if the landing lights good by turned on but were never seen or heard from again.

Years later It was known that they crashed into a Mountain before landing, on Dec. 20, 1942 he was awarded with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Clarence is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

The plane/remains were found in 1984, before buried at Arlington there were commemorated at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Metro Manila,

National Capital Region, Philippines.

Thanks to https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/41-23766.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

SECOND LIEUTENANT, B-24 LIBERATOR, 400TH SQUADRON ‘BLACK PIRATES’, 90TH BOMB GROUP (JOLLY ROGERS), FIFTH AIR FORCE, IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. MEMBER OF JOHN RAFFERTY CREW. HE LEFT PORT MORESBY ON A SINGLE BOMBER RECONNAISSANCE MISSION OVER WEWAK. WHEN THE PLANE WAS RETURNING, THE PILOT ASKED THAT THE FIELD LIGHTS BE LIT AS THEY WERE APPROACHING THE AIRFIELD. THE AIRCRAFT NEVER LANDED AS IT CRASHED INTO A HILL BETWEEN MUMENG VILLAGE AND TSILI TSILI. ALL WERE DECLARED MISSING ON DECEMBER 20, 1942. MISSING AIR CREW REPORT 15388. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.

Atkins Jr. , Aubrey Lee

Rank and Name, Sergeant Aubrey Lee Atkins Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 405th Bomber Squadron, 38th Bomber Group, Medium.

Aubrey is born approx. on 17 May 1920 in Athens, Louisiana.

Father, Aubrey L. Atkins.

Mother, Mary Atkins.

Sister(s), Jean, Mary L. Ann L. and Nell R. Atkins.

Aubrey enlisted the service in Louisiana with service number # 14053731.

Aubrey‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-25 were,

1st Lt. Wilson L. Pinkstaff Pilot

1st Lt. Charles L. Maggart Co Pilot

2nd Lt. William N. Stocking Navigator

2nd Lt. Frank Thompson Bombardier

Sgt. Aubrey L. Atkins Jr. Radio Operator

Cpl. Richard P. Grutza Engineer

Pfc. Antonio P. Calderon Gunner

Aubrey was KIA on a Bombing Mission they failed to return, probably crashed at Kokoda Gap on, 5 December 1942, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Aubrey was buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

His remains are discovered and his final resting place now is at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

He also has a memorial Grave at Salem Cemetery, Athens, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, USA.

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-12907.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Asher, Jay Clinton

Rank and Name, Corporal Jay Clinton Asher.

Unit/Placed in, 403rd Bomber Squadron, 43rd Bomber Group, Heavy.

Jay is born approx. on 29 March, 1922 in Gering, Nebraska.

Father, Donald Asher.

Mother, Angie D. (Thompson) Asher.

Sister(s), Helen L. and Margery L. Asher.

Jay enlisted the service in Wyoming with service number # 17024475.

Jay ‘s Crew-members on-board the plane a B-17 were,

2nd Lt. John E. Titus Pilot

Major Thomas N. Charles Observer

2nd Lt. Randall O. Cotton

2nd Lt. John E. Titus

2nd Lt. Harry O. Davis, Jr.

2nd Lt. James R. Ozanne, Jr.

S/Sgt. Merle L. Hartburg

Sgt. Omar B. Benson

Sgt. Alvin D. Futhey

Sgt. Charles Goldsmith

Cpl. Jay C. Asher

Cpl. Richard J. Evans

Jay was KIA on a mission to shadow the Japanese Navy, they made visiual contact, but was the latest radioed with the B-17 on 29 Nov. 1942, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Jay is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Kearney Cemetery, Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska, VS.

Thanks to,

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Arendell, Raymond A.

Rank and Name, Corporal Raymond A. Arendell.

Unit/Placed in, 22nd Bomber Group, Medium, 33rd Bomber Squadron.

Raymond is born approx. on 1922 in Nebraska.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

Raymond enlisted the service in Nebraska with service number # 17004405.

Raymond ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-26 were,

Pvt. Anthony J. Petitti Pilot

Sgt. Anthony D. Martin Jr. Co Pilot

Corp. Raymond A. Arendell Gunner

Raymond was KIA when on the bombing mission to New Guinea, the were attacked by enemy fighter, shot and crashed on May 28, 1942, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Raymond is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/22nd_Bombardment_Group.html

https://www.ozatwar.com/22ndbomb.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Antone, Ferris J.

Rank and Name, Corporal Ferris J. Antone.

Unit/Placed in, 93rd Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Group, Heavy.

Ferris is born approx. on 1920 in Missouri.

Mother, Mary Antone.

Brother(s), Dewey Antone.

Ferris enlisted the service in Missouri with service number # 17034700.

Ferris ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17 were,

Major Harold Willisie Pilot

Capt. Clyde H. Webb Jr. Co Pilot

1st Lt. Seth A. Ford

2^nd Lt. Philip P. Bruce

Corp. Ferris J. Antone

Pvt. Harold W. Davis

Sgt. John Kominicki

Sgt. Carl F. Roberts

Pvt. Raymond B. Weeks

Ferris was KIA on the mission when they were hit by Anti-Aircraft and crashed in the bay on Aug.26, 1942, he is honored with a Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Ferris is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/19th_Bombardment_Group.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Andrews, James H.

Rank and Name, Sergeant James H. Andrews.

Unit/Placed in, 64th Bomber Squadron, 43rd Bomber Group, Heavy.

James is born approx. on 1922 in Farmville.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

James enlisted the service in North Carolina with service number # 6947160.

James ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17 were,

1^st Lt. Charles N. Cromwell Pilot

2^nd Lt. John W. Bixby Co Pilot

1st Lt. Henry G. Carr Navigator

MSgt. Frank C. French Jr. Bombardier

TSgt. William F. Martin Radio Operator

Sgt. James H. Andrews Ball Turret Gunner

S/Sgt. Herbert L. Kerley Top Turret Gunner

Sgt. Glenn H. Davis Waist Gunner

Cpl. Raymond F. Ketnerr Tail Gunner

James was KIA when o bombing mission to a Japanese convoy, they were attacked by A6M Zero’s on Dec. 1, 1942, he is honored with a Silver Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army & Air Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

James is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Thanks to, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-2645.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Andrews, George Wilson

Rank and Name, Private First Class George Wilson Andrews.

Unit/Placed in, 803rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation.

George is born approx. on Dec. 2, 1917 in Wilson County, Tennessee.

Father, Edd P. Andrews.

Mother, Myrtle G. Andrews.

Brother(s), Robert E. Andrews.

George enlisted the service in Tennessee with service number # 34044970.

George was KIA at New Guinea defending the Airport against the Japanese on June 10, 1942, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Silver Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army & Air Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

George is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Highland Cemetery, Sparta, White County, Tennessee, USA.

Thanks to, https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a439239.pdf

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

803rd Engineer Battalion (Aviation)

The 803rd Engineer Battalion (Aviation) was stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in 1941. They fought to defend the Philippines until the American forces surrendered to the Japanese in April 1942. Most of the Battalion was on Bataan at that time. As POWs, they were subjected to the brutal Bataan Death March. Those who survived were distributed to various POW camps in the Philippines, Manchuria, Formosa (Taiwan), Korea, and Japan. This Virtual Cemetery is dedicated to the men of the 803rd; those who never came home, and those who survived the brutal treatment of their captors. For most, their story will never be told. Hopefully this small effort will ensure that their suffering and sacrifice will never be forgotten.