Categorie: Papua-New Guinea 1944

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant Blair Wilson Smith.

Unit/Placed in, 403rd Bomber Squadron, 43rd Bomber Group, Heavy, United States Army Air Forces.

 Blair is born on 13 April 1920 in Dayton, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

Father, Isaac Daniel Smith.

Mother, Dora Elverda (Lloyd) Smith.

Sister(s), Garnet Dorothy, Crace Elizabeth Smith.

Brother(s), Lawerence C. and Earl G. Smith.

Blair enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # 33135850.

Blair’s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24  were,

2^nd Lt.          Raymond A. Cooley            Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Dudley R. Yves                  Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          George E. Archer               Navigator

2^nd Lt.          Donald F. Grady                Bombardier

TSgt.            Richer R. Sargant              Engineer

SSgt.            Norman L. Nell                 Asst. Engineer

TSgt.            Steve Zayac                     Radio Operator

SSgt.            Thomas G. Knight              Asst. Radio Operator

SSgt.            Blair W. Smith                  Gunner

SSgt.            Joseph M. King                 Gunner

Blair was KIA/MIA when returning from a mission after bombing enemy targets, ran into severe thunder storms that made them crash in the Finisterre Mountains, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea on 16 April 1944,  he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

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

Walls of the missing.

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.

Blair and his crewmembers remains were found and they were buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Thanks to, https://airwarworldwar2.wordpress.com/category/the-43rd-bomb-group/

https://pacificwrecks.com/airfields/png/nadzab/index.html

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G91D-R44

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

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Charles Elmer Smith.

Unit/Placed in, 339th Fighter Squadron “Sun-Setters”, 347th Fighter Group, United States Army Air Forces.

 

Charles is born on 3 March 1920 in George Town, Williamsons County, Texas.

 

Charles enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 0-752149.

 

Charles was KIA/Mia on the mission Bomber Escort over Rabaul (Papua, New Guinea, he probably crashed in the sea) on 17 January 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Charles 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/347th_Fighter_Group.htm

https://pacificwrecks.com/units/usaaf/347fg/index.html

https://pacificwrecks.com/units/usaaf/347fg/339fs.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

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Aloysius W. Steele.

Unit/Placed in, 71st Bomber Squadron, 38th Bomber Group, Heavy, United States Army Air Forces.

 

Aloysius is born on 15 December 1922 in District of Columbia.

Stepfather, Char W. Sorrell.

Mother, Mary V.(Babbington) Sorrell.

Sister(s), Virginia W. and Elsie F. Steele.

Stepsister, Dorothy A. Sorrell.

Stepbrother, Richard F. Sorrell.

Aloysius enlisted the service in Virginia with service number # 0-706554.

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

1stLt.  Richard Hurst         Pilot

1^stLt.  James A. Henderson Co Pilot

2^nd Lt. Aloysius W. Steele     Navigator

Pfc.     John J. Creighton    Radio Operator

Sgt.    Henry Miga             Gunner

Passengers,

Tec5.  Alfred J. Milazzo

Corp.   Gene J. Morris

Pfc.     Byron W. Durham

Pfc.     Scgley H. Russell

Aloysius was KIA/MIA after take-off for a courier mission to Nadzab, the plane didn’t arrive their and was never heard of on 1 July 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal (previously awarded),  Purple Heart American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

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

Walls of the missing.

The Crew Remains were recovered.

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.

Aloysius and the crew are now buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

After the war the plane was discovered/found in the Finisterre Mountains area, Morobe Province, Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Thanks to, https://www.sunsetters38bg.com/

https://pacificwrecks.com/airfields/png/saidor/

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/

Rank and Name, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Clyde Clinton Edwards.

Unit/Placed in, Commander Aircraft Seventh Fleet, United States Naval Reserve.

“Petty Officer Edwards was killed in an aircraft crash and initially listed as Missing in Action with an administrative date of death as February 4, 1946. Following the war, the aircraft was located and he was identified. He is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. His name is permanently engraved on the Walls of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Clyde is born on 18 September 1919 in Texas.

Father, Dewitt Acles Edwards.

Mother, Onie Eta (Pricer) Edwards.

Sister(s), Lois E. and Margaret Louise Edwards.

Spouse, Alberta Faye (Gulley) Edwards.

Clyde enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 3570390.

Clyde‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a Douglas R4D-5 (DC-3)-  were,

Ltjg.                  John D. Gross             Pilot

Ens.                  Maurice D. Linder       Co Pilot

AMM1.              George H. Beier Jr.      Passenger

ARM2.               Alva L. Cloepvil           Passenger

AMM1.              Frank H. Dodge          Passenger

AMM1.              Dale E. Drake             Passenger

AMM2.              Clyde C. Edwards        Passenger

ACMM.              William H. Eldridge     Passenger

AMM1.              Leroy R. Hamilton      Passenger

SMN1.               Donald E. Huddelston  Passenger

AMM2.              Robert E. Keil             Passenger

PHM2.               Lee R. Morris              Passenger

Machinist           Ben W. Murray           Passenger

AMM2.              Marlin R. Myers          Passenger

AMM2.              Leo Suire                   Passenger

AMM1.              Charles H. Zaremba     Passenger

 

Clyde was KIA the plane took off from Mareeba Airfield on a flight to Cairns Airfield then took off again on a flight bound for Momote Airfield on Los Negros Island where it never arrived his destination (it was crashed at New Guinea) on 23 July 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

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

Walls of the missing.

After his Recovery an Rosette was placed with his name and he is now buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA.

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/r4d/39090.html

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G49P-Y7Q

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/

RECOVERED

 

On October 1, 1970 the two man patrol from the New Guinea Administration located the skeletal remains of an indeterminate number of personnel at the crash site. These remains were recovered and turned over to the U. S. military.

The crew were individually identified with five buried not individually identified. The remains were transported to the Philippines and United States for permanent burial.

Petty Officer Edwards was killed in an aircraft crash and initially listed as Missing in Action with an administrative date of death as February 4, 1946. Following the war, the aircraft was located and he was identified. He is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. His name is permanently engraved on the Walls of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery

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.

Rank and Name, Flight Officer Andrew Young Davis.

Unit/Placed in, 8th Photographic Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group.

 

Andrew is born approx. on 18 Oct. 1921 in Eldorado, Oklahoma.

Father, Everett Hamilton Davis.

Mother, Uera Pearl (Easley) Davis.

Sister(s), Georgie Naomi and Myrtle Maudine Davis.

 

Andrew enlisted the service in Arkansas with service number # T-000296.

 

Andrew died due to bad (low overcast) weather, had to fly on Instruments  and (probably) crashed on 9 Feb. 1944,  he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Andrew 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/units/usaaf/6prg/8prs.html

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L44S-B2S

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/

Rank and Name, Private First Class Albert Miller.

Unit/Placed in, 25th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division ”Blue Helmet”.

 

Albert is born approx. on 1920 in Kentucky.

Father, Joe Miller.

Mother, Mandy Miller.

Sister(s), Mandy and Molly Miller.

Brother(s), Jason and Hugh S. Miller.

 

Albert enlisted the service in Kentucky with service number # 35128974.

 

Albert died non battle in New Guinea on 1 Nov. 1944, he is honored with a 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.

 

Thanks to,

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/

Rank and Name, Corporal Charles Albert Jones.

Unit/Placed in, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

 

Charles is born approx. on 26 May 1918 in Globe, Arizona.

Father, Charles Wilson Jones.

Mother, Louisa Isabel (Harris) Jones.

Sister(s), Vina, Rosalee, Bertha Lou and Susie Jones.

Brother(s), Charles Wilson, Clifford Red and Onis Clifton Jones.

 

Charles enlisted the service in Arizona with service number # 38002396.

 

Charles was KIA in combat with the Japanese army over the Momote Airstrip on Los Negros Island on 21 March 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

 

Thanks to, https://www.familysearch.org/tree/pedigree/landscape/9N2L-2DC

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/

Website,

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

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

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

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Bennett Clay Wilson.

Unit/Placed in, 90th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group, Light.

 

Bennett is born approx. on 27 Nov. 1907 in Visalia, California.

Father, George Scott Wilson.

Mother, Carrie Mae (Sparks) Wilson.

Brother(s), Everett Woodrow Wilson.

Spouse, Lurline Rachel (Ballew) Wilson.

 

Bennett enlisted the service in Missouri with service number # 0-384791.

 

Bennett‘s Crew-members on-board the plane a North American B-25 Mitchell were,

1^st Lt.           Bennett G. Wilson              Pilot

1^st Lt.           Luther P. Smith                Co Pilot

T/Sgt.          Luther B, Word Jr.

Corporal       Leaburn D. Myers

Corporal       Henry R. Sheppard

Bennett was KIA when nearly at the Target they were attacked by superior number of Japanese Zero’s, despite gunfire and aerial bombs the succeeded to drop their Bombload on the Target (Airfield) on 25 May 1945, he is honored with a Silver Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Bennett 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/3rd_Bombardment_Group.html

https://www.familysearch.org

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.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/

Rank and Name, Seaman Dorman Lee Scott.

Unit/Placed in, USS Mount Hood (AE-11) Ammunition Ship, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Dorman is born approx. on 1925 in Canada.

Father, Claude Arthur Scott.

Mother, Ethel Irene (Fitzsimmons) Scott.

Brother(s), Norman Arthur Scott.

Spouse, Donna Rae (Crossley) Scott.

 

Dorman enlisted the service in Washington with service number # 8908218.

 

Dorman died when the ammunition onboard the USS Mount Hood exploded on Nov. 10, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Dorman 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/ships/usn/AE-11.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and Europe 1940-1945 on Facebook.

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/