The circumstances surrounding “this” post \u2013 covering the loss of an 11th Bomb Group (…”Gray Geese”…) B-24 Liberator in the Central Pacific Ocean in late 1943 are, sadly, very different.\u00a0 Though at least some members of the plane\u2019s crew initially survived the ditching of their plane in the Central Pacific, they were never seen again. \u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n In that sense, this Missing Air Crew Report and the two photographs within it epitomize – in a manner far more powerful than words – the nature of the Pacific air war, some seven decades ago.<\/span><\/p>\n ____________________<\/span><\/p>\n The aircraft in question, B-24D 41-24214 (Dogpatch Express<\/em>) was one of a group of eight B-24s of the 42nd Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force, which staged through Nanomea (the northwestern-most atoll in the Polynesian nation of Tuvalu) for a strike against Taroa Island (not to be confused with Tarawa<\/em><\/span>, in the Gilbert<\/em><\/span> Islands!), in the Maloelap Atoll of the Marshall Islands, on December 21, 1943. Here is a superb photo of Dogpatch Express’<\/em> nose art, from Pinterest<\/a> (via Hawaii.gov): ____________________<\/p>\n What happened?<\/span><\/p>\n The MACR (# 1423) describes the sequence of events surrounding the loss of the bomber in very great detail, an aspect of MACRs covering 7th Air Force B-24 losses which seems to have been quite consistent. \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n After the squadron\u2019s bombing run on Taroa, Lt. Smith\u2019s plane was observed to lag behind the other seven bombers, though the specific cause is not delineated in either the MACR or squadron history.\u00a0 Five other B-24s turned back to provide protection for the Express<\/em>, with one escorting pilot, Captain Jesse Stay (whose account is presented below) maintaining radio contact with Lt. Smith.\u00a0 Having already lost his #4 engine, the Express\u2019<\/em> #3 engine soon began emitting smoke, upon which 252nd Kokutai Zeros and Hamps (assigned to the defense of Taroa, as described at Pacific Wrecks<\/a>) – which had been attacking the formation from the time it left the target \u2013 began to especially concentrate their fire upon Smith’s aircraft. <\/span><\/p>\n Heavily damaged, with its #4 engine out and #3 engine smoking, Lt. Smith lost altitude, and, eventually ditched.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n The Liberator broke in two immediately behind the flight deck, with part of the tail remaining afloat for several minutes.\u00a0 Throughout, three Zeros, which had probably expended their ammunition, remained in the area to observe the scene.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Taken together, the accounts of Captain Stay and Lt. Sands indicate that at least three – and possibly four \u2013 of the crew survived both the ditching and a strafing run by a solitary Zero.\u00a0 Two life rafts were deployed, and \u201cwater marker\u201d (dye marker?) at the scene was visible from a distance of 10 to 12 miles.<\/span><\/p>\n So, at least some of the crew \u2013 presumably gunners in the rear of the aircraft – remained alive after the crash.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Later that day, upon the arrival of two PBYs at the location of the ditching (the time of their arrival is not listed and the naval squadron is unidentified) \u2013 nothing was found.\u00a0 To quote the squadron history: \u201cIt was later found that upon arriving at the spot, no trace was found of the survivors, and it is presumed that they either were strafed by returning Jap airplanes or taken prisoner.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n ____________________<\/span><\/p>\n The accounts of Captain Stay and Lt. Sands are presented below verbatim, along with a summary of the mission from the records of the 42nd Bomb Squadron:<\/span><\/p>\n Captain Stay\u2019s Account My flight, consisting of myself and Lt. Pratte in A\/P #156 followed Capt. Storm\u2019s flight of three airplanes over the target on Taroa Island. \u00a0We were followed by \u201cC\u201d flight in which Lt. Smith in A\/P #214 was No. 2 man.\u00a0 We made our run and turned off to the left, increasing our power and diving to catch up with Capt. Storm\u2019s \u201cA\u201d flight.\u00a0 We had been off of the target approximately 12-15 minutes when S\/Sgt. Blackmore, my tail gunner called me to say that one A\/P in \u201cC\u201d flight had become a straggler and was being attacked by several Zeros.\u00a0 As he told me this Lt. Sands in A\/P #073, who was flying #2 position in \u201cA\u201d flight pulled out of formation and started a turn back.\u00a0 My flight of two ships turned with him and at the same time my Co-pilot informed Capt. Storm of the straggler.\u00a0 Lt. Sands fell in on Lt. Smith\u2019s right wing and I took up a position on his left wing with Lt. Pratte flying on my left wing. Shortly after this Capt. Storm and his remaining wing man, Lt. Perry in A\/P #007 fell into our formation.\u00a0 At this time we noticed that the #4 engine on A\/P #214 was feathered and he had many holes in the fuselage and emphennage of his A\/P, and he was losing altitude fast. \u00a0Approximately 3 minutes after we joined him in formation his no. 3 engine caught fire giving off a heavy white smoke.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n I spoke to Lt. Smith over V.H.F. and suggested that he feather no. 3 engine and try to put cut the fire with his Lux System.\u00a0 Lt. Smith called back asking me to get Dumbo service for him and I acknowledged. \u00a0Shortly after Lt. Smith feathered #3 engine and the fire was apparently extinguished.\u00a0 From the time that we had left the target we had been having a running fight with from 15 to 20 Zeros. \u00a0When Lt. Smith\u2019s #3 engine began to smoke the Zeros began to press their attack and from 7 to 8 overhead passes were made at the formation before Lt. Smith landed his ship in the water. \u00a0The Zero pilots made excellent use of the sun and they seemed very experienced in this type of attack.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Lt. Smith had been losing altitude rapidly and when he was at about 3,000 ft. he started #3 engine again and it immediately began to smoke again.\u00a0 We dropped down through a .4 cumulus cloud cover and our formation circled through a hole to 1000 ft. to watch his landing.\u00a0 At this time there were still four Zeros in the air but they were apparently out of ammunition because they made no more passes.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Lt. Smith landed in the water at 13:45 L.W.T. at a position of 08 04 N and 172 33 E. The ship broke in two and the nose appeared to go down leaving the trailing edge of the wing and very little of the bomb bay afloat.\u00a0 The whole ship was under water in approximately 3 minutes.\u00a0 We observed at this time one life raft with one man lying prone across it.\u00a0 The rest of the formation left for their base and Lt. Sands, Lt. Pratte and myself circled the scene for cover and to give what aid we could.\u00a0 Three Zeros were still in the area but appeared to be only observing the crash.\u00a0 Our top gunner was only able to fire a few shots at any of them.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Lt. Sands dove in low over the raft and dropped a life raft then we dove in and dropped a box of emergency rations.\u00a0 Both the raft and the rations remained intact and afloat.\u00a0 We called for Life Guard service on command voice on 6210 K.C. giving our distance of 90 miles and our course of 120\u00b0 M from the target.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The Zeros left and we climbed above the clouds and Lt. Pulliam took a sun shot over the raft and confirmed our position.\u00a0 At the same time my radio operator was calling first Tarawa, then Makin, then Apamama but receiving no answer from any of them he again called Tarawa and sent through a request for Dumbo Service.\u00a0 Our three planes left the scene for Tarawa and after we had been on course for approximately 10 minutes the men in the back of my A\/P reported seeing what they thought was a submarine wake behind us.\u00a0 I turned around and headed back to the raft hoping to be able to assist the Submarine but on approaching the life raft we were able to see the water marker for from 10 to 12 miles from 1000 ft.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n As we dove over the scene to fifty feet we saw that there were two rafts inflated and three men ware in one and possibly one on the other.\u00a0 We set our liaison up to transmit on 6210 and called for Life Guard Service again.\u00a0 We left the scene finally at 1434 L.W.T. and landed at Tarawa to refuel where we learned that two PBYs had been sent out 2 hours before.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Captain Jesse E. Stay<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Lt. Sands\u2019 Account I was flying A\/P # 073 in the Number 3 position of \u201cA\u201d Flight.\u00a0 We had left the target about five minutes when the tail gunner called and said there was a B-24 smoking and losing altitude and was alone.\u00a0 I told my crew that we were going to make a 90\u00b0 turn so I could get a look at it.\u00a0 When I observed the conditions under which Lt. Smith was placed I continued my turn and went back to get in formation with him.\u00a0 We pulled in on his right wing as that was the side that about 10 Zekes were making overhead passes at the crippled plane.\u00a0 We had been in formation with Lt. Smith about three or four minutes when the four other planes pulled into formation on his left wing.\u00a0 We continued to escort him until he landed in the water at about 13:45 L.W.T.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The plane appeared to break in two just back of the flight deck.\u00a0 The entire plane with the exception of the tail surfaces sank almost immediately.\u00a0 The tail surfaces floated for about four minutes.\u00a0 One man was definitely seen to be laying across a partly inflated, overturned life-raft with possibly one other person in the water.\u00a0 I ordered my crew to get a life raft ready to throw overboard which was done as we passed over at a minimum altitude.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n One Zeke was seen to make a strafing attack at the spot where the plane sank.\u00a0 The Zeke then left the area.\u00a0 We circled for another ten minutes, and seeing no more Zekes, we departed for Tarawa.\u00a0 My radio operator immediately sent out a position report of the crashed plane which was unanswered.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n 1 Lt. Warren H. Sands<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n 42nd Bomb Squadron History TAROA MISSION * 20 December 1943<\/span><\/p>\n Lt. Kerr in 143, Captain Storm in 155, Lt. Gall in 100, Lt. Perr (431st) in 007, Lt. Schmidt in 838m Lt. Stay in 960, Lt. Sands in 073, Lt. Smith in 214, and Lt. Pratte in 156, staged through Nonomea for a strike against Taroa on Maloelap Atoll.\u00a0 Each airplane carried 6 x 500 GO bombs.\u00a0 Interception began as the airplanes pulled away from an AA spattered bomb run, with 20 \u2013 30 Zekes and Hamps rising to the attack.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n AA began as the airplanes neared the island, in some cases not reported as occurring until the run had started, with a majority of the bombs landing in or near the target area.\u00a0 Lt. Gall did not reach the target due to malfunction.\u00a0 It was on this mission that Lt. Smith had two engines shot out either by AA or cannon fire, and found it necessary to make a water landing about 75 miles from Taroa.\u00a0 Covered by other elements of the flight, he made what was described as \u201can excellent\u201d water landing, from which at least four men were seen to leave the badly damaged airplane and crawl onto two rafts.\u00a0 Captain Stay had, prior to the crash, radioed to both Dumbo and Lifeguard to come in, and this was later found to have reached both agencies through other intercepting mediums as well as the original call.\u00a0 It was later found that upon arriving at the spot, no trace was found of the survivors, and it is presumed that they either were strafed by returning Jap airplanes or taken prisoner.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Several Jap interceptors were knocked off on this mission, by Sergeant Kernyat of Sands crew, Sgt. Brannan of Lt. Kerr\u2019s, Sgt. Roth, Sgt. Ball, and S\/Sgt. Tanner of Captains Stay\u2019s crew.\u00a0 They were all confirmed\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n ____________________<\/span><\/p>\n To give you a better understanding of the setting and location of this incident, the following series of maps and illustrations show the location of the Marshall Islands in general and Taroa in particular, the island’s appearance in 1943 (and 2017), as well as the location where Dogpatch Express<\/em> was lost in relation to surrounding islands.<\/span><\/p>\n ____________________<\/span><\/p>\n Here is a map of the Marshall Islands (from Wikimedia Commons) illustrated on a global view of the earth, centered on Polynesia. The map below, from the Diercke International Atlas<\/a>, shows Taroa Island (right center) and the other islands comprising the Maloelap Atoll.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This undated Air Force photograph shows the “Bombing of the Japanese Airfield on Taroa Islet [sic]…”\u00a0 The image is from the WW II U.S. Air Force Photo Collection at Fold3.com.\u00a0 (Image A42044 \/ 73717 AC)<\/span><\/p>\n Here’s a Google Earth satellite view of Taroa, circa 2017.\u00a0 The island’s miniscule size is evident by the distance scale (one thousand feet!) in the lower right corner of the image.\u00a0 Note the changes in the island’s shape that have ensued since World War Two, and, the still-visible remnant of one of the two runways. This Google map shows the location of Taroa (via the red<\/span> <\/strong>pointer), relative to surrounding islands.\u00a0 Obvious (in reality, not-<\/em>so-obvious) is the fact that the Maloelap Atoll and Taroa are “invisible” at the scale of this map.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This map, generated by entering latitude and longitude coordinates in Google Earth, shows the location where Dogpatch Express<\/em> was ditched (denoted by the red<\/strong> <\/span>pointer).\u00a0 Akin to above, at this scale, Maloelap and Taroa do not appear. This map shows the location of Nanomea Island (red<\/span> <\/strong>pointer once more) relative to the Marshalls.\u00a0 Akin to the above map views, Nanomea is so small as to be “invisible” The plane was lost.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Ten men were lost. Who were they?<\/span><\/p>\n Typical for MACRs, Report 1423 gives the names of the plane\u2019s crewmen, their crew positions, and, their serial numbers.\u00a0 However, the Report does not <\/em>contain any “contact” information; the names and residential address of next-of-kin.\u00a0 If you were to go by the MACR alone, the men would be, in a sense, \u201canonymous”: names, ranks, serial numbers, and nothing more.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This information is present in Records Group 165, in the \u201cBureau of Public Relations Press Branch\u201d releases covering military casualties (specifically Missing in Action, Killed in Action, Wounded in Action), which were issued throughout the war to the news media by the War Department. \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Within these press releases, casualties are listed by theater of war (Europe, Mediterranean, Pacific, etc.), with mens’ names listed alphabetically within each category.\u00a0 The name of a casualty was usually (usually<\/em>) released approximately one month subsequent to the calendar date on which he was killed, wounded, or missing.\u00a0 The predictably of this time-frame is a very reliable way (at least, through the late spring of 1944) to identify the year and month when the press release listing a serviceman’s name, his next-of-kin, and emergency address, was released to the news media. \u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n (Maybe more about this in a future post?) <\/span><\/p>\n Given that Lt. Smith\u2019s crew was lost in late December of 1943<\/em>, it was assumed that their names could be found in Press releases issued in late January of 1944<\/em>.\u00a0 Research in RG 165 verified this:\u00a0 The men\u2019s names appeared in Casualty Lists issued on January 21, 22, and 24, and (one man) February 9, of 1944.<\/span><\/p>\n ____________________<\/span><\/p>\n The crew\u2019s names are other relevant information are presented below, along with (in parenthesis) the calendar date of the relevant Press release.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n They were:<\/span><\/p>\n Pilot\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Smith<\/strong>, George W.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 Lt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-374301\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/22\/44)<\/span> Co-Pilot\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Lowry<\/strong>, John E., Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 Lt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-800907\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/21\/44)<\/span> Navigator\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mortenson<\/strong>, Carl A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 Lt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-738872\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/22\/44)<\/span> Bombardier<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ortiz<\/strong>, Ralph P.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 Lt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0-663307\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/22\/44)<\/span> Flight Engineer\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Sopko<\/strong>, Clarence T.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 T\/Sgt. 35308715\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\/22\/20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/22\/44)<\/span> Radio Operator<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gearon<\/strong>, Roy T.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 T\/Sgt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20616199\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/21\/44)<\/span> Gunner\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hudman<\/strong>, Jesse Harvey S\/Sgt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12146959\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1918\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/21\/44)<\/span> Gunner<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dell<\/strong>, Carl N.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S\/Sgt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13038323\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4\/19\/20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (2\/9\/44)<\/span> Gunner\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nielsen<\/strong>, Earl Dewayne\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S\/Sgt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 39831608\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7\/29\/21\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/21\/44)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Dogpatch-Express-Pinterest.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong><\/span>Here’s another view of the plane (the crewmen are unidentified) appropriately from B-24 Best Web<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Dogpatch-Express-B-24BestWeb-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Marshall-Islands-globe-view-1.png\")
<\/a>____________________<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Maloelap-Atoll-Diercke.de_.jpg\")
<\/a>____________________<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Fold3_Page_174_Black_and_White_and_Color_Photographs_of_US_Air_Force_and_Predecessor_Agencies_Activities_Facilities_and_Personnel_World_War_II-990x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>____________________<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Taroa-Island-in-2017-1024x562.jpg\")
<\/a>____________________<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/1-Location-of-Tarawa-Island-1024x653.jpg\")
<\/a>____________________<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/2-Location-of-Ditching-1024x669.jpg\")
<\/a>____________________<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/4-Location-of-Nanomea-Island-1024x720.jpg\")
<\/a>____________________<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MACR-01423-2-610x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>However, there is one set of records in the National Archives that gives these men fuller identities.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mrs. Ida R. Smith (mother), Prairieton, In.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mrs. Margaret E. Lowry, Jr. (wife), Spring St., Smyrna, Ga.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mr. Harry Walter Mortenson (brother), 1380 Riverside Drive, Lakewood, Oh.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mr. Daniel C. Ortiz (father), 603 Agua Fria, Santa Fe, N.M.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mrs. Mary S. Sopko (mother), 2138 West 26th St., Cleveland, Oh.<\/span>
\nMemorial Tombstone \u2013 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery<\/a> \u2013 Section M, Plot 6 (Photo by Douglas King)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mrs. Catherine Ann Gearon (mother), 5464 Woodlawn, Chicago, Il.<\/span>
\n Crew Picture and related\u00a0 information<\/a> from Patrick Maher (Second Cousin)\u00a0 (See below.)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mrs. Florence L. Hudman (wife), 10 Marble Place, Ossining, N.Y.<\/span>
\n Mrs. Carrie Hudman (mother), Gilbert Park, N.Y.<\/span>
\nMemorial Tombstone<\/a> \u2013 at Dale Cemetery, Ossining, N.Y. (photo by Jean Sutherland)<\/span>
\nNotices about Sgt. Hudman appeared in the<\/span> Citizen-Register<\/em>, of Ossining, N.Y., on May 22 and 25, 1946, concerning a memorial service that was held in his behalf on May 19 of that year.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thepastpresented.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Hudman-Jesse-H-Find-A-Grave-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Gunner<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paradise<\/strong>, Arnold J.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S\/Sgt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 36264577\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (1\/21\/44)<\/span>
\n Mrs. Fern Paradise (mother), Garden Acres, Chippewa Falls, Wi.<\/span>
\n WW II Memorial \u2013 June Havel (sister)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mr. William J. Dell (father), Route 1, Middle Road, Pittsburgh, Pa.<\/span>
\nMemorial Tombstone<\/a> at Saint Mary\u2019s Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Photo by \u201cGenealogy-Detective\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n Mrs. Vera P. Nielsen (mother), Cleveland, Id.<\/span>
\nMemorial Tombstone<\/a> at Cleveland Cemetery, Franklin County, Id. (Photo by Bill E. Doman)<\/span><\/p>\n