Categorie: Papua-New Guinea 1944

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Edward Victor Atwell Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 673rd Bomber Squadron, 417th Bomber Group, Light.

 

Edward is born approx. on 19 Jan. 1920 in Texas.

Father, Edward V. Atwell Sr.

Mother and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Edward enlisted the service in Texas with service number # O-80375.

 

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

1^st Lt.           Edward V. Atwell Jr.         Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Cheater N. Burns              Co Pilot

S/Sgt.           Wilford F. Schappell           Crew Chief

Capt.            Randall M. Dorton Jr.        Passenger

S/Sgt.           Haynes C. Jump                Passenger

Corp.            Dillard Earmon                 Passenger

Corp.            Paul T. Donahue                Passenger

1^st Lt.           Robert J. Arndt                Passenger

S/Sgt.           Samuel F. Carter               Passenger

Corp.            Norman R. Suhr                Passenger

 

Edward was KIA when on an administrative flight bound for Saidor, new Guinea but they never arrived at their destination on 22 May 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, United States Aviator Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

Walls of the missing.

His and the Remains of the crew were recovered and Buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA.

 

Thanks to, https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-29692.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

 

1st Lt. Atwell was killed in an airplane crash and initially listed as Missing in Action with an Administrative Date of Death of May 23, 1945. Following the war, his remains were interred with the rest of the crew and buried in a group burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. His name is permanently listed 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, First Sergeant Harold T. Atkins.

Unit/Placed in, 670th Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battery.

 

Harold was a passenger on a flight to replace personal, it was done with a B-24d “Weezie” that was transferred from the 90^th Bomber group to Combat Replacement Training Center, and it was on Ferry Transport to Nadzab Airfield, New Guinea, with 3 Crewmembers and 18 Passengers and never Arrived.  

 

Harold is born approx. on 1921.

Brother(s), Turner Atkins.

 

Harold enlisted the service in Montana with service number # 19018763.

 

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

2^nd Lt.          Robert E. Allred                Pilot

2^nd Lt..         Raymond J. Geis Jr.           Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Keith T. Holm                   Navigator

 

Pfc.              Carlin E. Loop                   Passenger

1^e Sgt.          Harold T. Atkins                Passenger

Capt.            Charles R. Barnard            Passenger

2nd Lt.         Stanley G. Gross                Passenger

2^nd Lt.          Charles R. Steiner              Passenger

2^nd Lt.          Melvin E. Walker               Passenger

2^nd Lt.          Emory C. Young                Passenger

1e Sgt.         Weldon W. Frasier             Passenger

S/Sgt.           Thomas J. Carpenter Jr.     Passenger

S/Sgt.           William R. Sharke              Passenger

S/Sgt.           Frank Ginter                    Passenger

S/Sgt.           John J. Stasekowski           Passenger

S/Sgt.           Robert J. Thompson           Passenger

Sgt.              Clint P. Butler                  Passenger

Sgt.              Stanley C. Lawrence          Passenger

Sgt.              Charles R. Samples             Passenger

Tec4.            Joseph E. Machorek           Passenger

Cpl.              Joseph B. Mattem              Passenger

 

Harold died when the Plane never arrived his destination on 22 March 1944, he is honored with a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

Walls of the missing.

His remains were recovered, not known where he is reburied, presumably with his Parents.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Carrington Cemetery, Carrington, Foster County, North Dakota, USA.

 

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

Rank and Name, Private John G. Rasmussen.

Unit/Placed in, 162^nd Infantry Regiment, 41^st Infantry Division “Sunsetters”.

 

John is born approx. on 1922 in Oregon.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

John enlisted the service in Oregon with service number # 20933290.

 

John was KIA during the defend on the Beaches of Biak, New Guinea on, June 8, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksman Ship Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

 

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

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Clyde Lewis Askew Jr.

Unit/Placed in, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMF-321), United States Marine Corps.

 

Clyde is born approx. on 11 April 1918 in Oklahoma.

Father, Clyde L. Askew Sr.

Mother, Fern K. (Hall) Askew.

Brother(s), Robert C. and James L. Askew.

Spouse, Helen E. (Dobson) Askew.

 

Clyde enlisted the service in Oklahoma with service number # O-020369.

 

Clyde was KIA while escorting B-25 for Bombing the Japanese in Rabaul on 27 Feb. 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Good Conduct Medal, Marine Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Clyde 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 Fort Gibson National Cemetery,

Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, 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

Lt. Clyde Askew was a pilot of a Marine F-4U and was credited with the shoot down of 1 Japanese “Zeke” on 18 January 1944 (near Duke of York Island). His unit was flying out of Piva Yoke Fighter Airstrip, Bougainville, Island, Solomon Islands. On 27 January 1944, he was lost while escorting USAAF B-25s on a mission to bomb the Japanese on Rabaul. He served as wingman for another Marine, Lt. Taylor, who was forced to make a water landing near Cape Torokina due to mechanical problems.  Lt. Taylor was later picked up.  Lt. Taylor observed Lt. Askew, whose aircraft also developed mechanical problems, make a water landing.  Lt. Askew did not get out of the aircraft before it sank.

Rank and Name, Technical Sergeant Byrd Ashburn.

Unit/Placed in, 3rd Squadron, 5276th Rescue Group.

 

Byrd is born approx. on 15 Aug. 1920 in Putnam County, Tennessee.

Father, Allie D. Ashburn.

Mother, Boda (Puckett) Ashburn.

Brother(s), Robert R. Ashburn.

 

Byrd enlisted the service in Ohio with service number # 35392027.

 

Byrd ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a PBY-5 were,

 

 

Byrd was KIA (no Record) last radio contact was at Biak Island on 13 Oct. 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.

 

Byrd 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 Burton-Ashburn Cemetery, Silver Point, Putnam County, Tennessee, 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

Rank and Name, Private First Class Roddy A. Arnold.

Unit/Placed in, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division “Red Star “.

 

Roddy is born approx. on 1915 in Missouri.

Father, Lee Arnold.

Mother, Rhonda C. Arnold.

Sister(s), Rhoda Arnold.

 

Roddy enlisted the service in Missouri with service number # 37007001.

 

Roddy was KIA at Lone Tree Hill, New Guinea during the fights over it on June 22, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

 

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

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Dale F. Arnold.

Unit/Placed in, 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group.

 

Dale is born approx. on Oct. 30, 1923 in Ohio.

Father, Elton F.D. Arnhold.

Mother, Esther A. (Schmidt) Arnold.

Sister(s), Mae L. Arnhold.

Brother(s), Donald, Merle W. Roy O. Earl and Vernon Arnhold.

 

Dale enlisted the service in Ohio with service number # 0-814629.

 

Dale was KIA when he probably was flying to low and therefor hit the surface and crashed in sea on April 7, 1944, 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.

 

Dale 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/49th_Fighter_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

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant William Earl Armstrong.

Unit/Placed in, 321st Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group, Heavy.

 

William is born approx. on April 26, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Father, Harry H. Armstrong.

Mother, Carrie (Dimple) Armstrong.

Sister(s), Delores, Virginia, Jeannine Mae and Laura M. Armstrong.

Brother(s), Harry H. Bobby L. and Jerry Armstrong.

 

William enlisted the service in Indiana with service number # 35566080.

 

William was MIA when The engine caught fire and he bailed out, thinking the plane was lost, he was never found on April 4, 1945, he is honored with an Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://90thbombgroup.org/search.php

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

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Robert J. Arndt.

Unit/Placed in, 674th Bomber Squadron, 417th Bomber Group, Heavy.

 

Robert is born approx. on Sep. 30, 1921 in Minnesota.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Robert enlisted the service in Minnesota with service number # 0-699840.

 

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

1^st Lt.           Edward V. Atwell Jr.         Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Chester N. Burns               Co Pilot

S/Sgt.           Wilford F. Schappell           Crew Chief

Other Passenger believed to been onboard aircraft.

Capt.            Randall M. Dorton Jr.        Bombardier

S/Sgt.           Haynes C. Jump                Passenger

Corp.            Dillard Harmon                 Passenger

Corp.            Paul T. Donahue                Passenger

1^st Lt.           Robert J. Arndt                Passenger

S/Sgt.           Samuel F. Carter               Passenger

Corp.            Norman R. Suhr                Passenger

 

Robert died because they never heard of again on May 22, 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.

 

Robert 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

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA.

 

Thanks to, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/417th_Bombardment_Group

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

Rank and Name, Private First Class John H. Armstrong.

Unit/Placed in, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division “The Blue Helmets”.

 

John is born approx. on 1921 in Missouri.

Father, Nathan Armstrong.

Mother, Lena Armstrong.

Sister(s), Katherine, Katie F. and Leona L. Armstrong.

Brother(s), Nathan C. Clarence L. and George A. Armstrong.

 

John enlisted the service in Missouri with service number # 37185798.

 

John died in New Guinea on April 22, 1944, he is honored with a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

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

Walls of the missing.

 

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