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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 71st BS |
Pilot Captain John L. Armor, O-791663 (MIA / KIA) Richmond County, GA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. James F. Garvin, O-677707 (MIA / KIA) East Providence, RI Navigator-Bombardier 1st Lt. Lawrence M. Elkins, O-665908 (MIA / KIA) Harris County, TX Radio-Gunner SSgt Melvin L. Hamner, 37266732 (MIA / KIA) Concordia, KS Gunner SSgt Billy H. Smith, Jr., 14045496 (MIA / KIA) Russell County, AL MIA December 20, 1943 at 12:00pm MACR 1418 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8468. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30303. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) "Sun Setters", 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS) "The Wolf Pack". No known nickname or nose art. The bomber had the wolf pack motif on the nose. When lost, engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 42-272007 and 42-272025. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns in the nose makers unknown serial numbers 14306, 79173, 143732, 116186, 154745, 159070, 57003 and 15582. plus .30 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers 374726, 362406 in the turret and 14778 and 5522 in the waist. Mission History On December 20, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby on a bombing mission (strike 353F) against Alexishafen Airfield (Alexishafen No. 2). The weather was excellent with visibility unlimited. On the bomb run with B-25D 41-30411 pilot Lt. Sevy flew parallel to the runway and experienced heavy anti-aircraft fire. This bomber was believed to be hit by machine gun fire from the ground that exploded some of the parafrag bombs aboard and the landing gear extended partially due to hydraulic failure and a fire was observed coming out of the bomb bay followed by an explosion, possibly a fuel tank and enveloped the bomber. The escape hatch was jettisoned as flames reached the cockpit crashed into the sea off the northern tip of Sek Island. When this bomber failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). : Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Armor earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Garvin earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Elkins earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Hamner earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. On May 6, 1945 at 2:30pm a memorial services was held at the Evangelical Church in Monroe, Nebraska, with Reverend Benjamin Hillier officiating and Hartman Post No. 84 of the Columbus American Legion in charge of the military rites. Monroe veterans also participated in the service. He also has a memorial marker at Friends Cemetery in Oconee Township, NB. Smith earned the Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John L. Armor NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James F. Garvin NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Lawrence M. Elkins NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Billy H. Smith, Jr. USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30303 Missing Air Crew Report 1418 (MACR 1418) created December 21, 1943 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John L. Armor FindAGrave - Capt John L Armor (tablets of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James F. Garvin FindAGrave - James F. Garvin (tablets of the missing photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Lawrence M. Elkins FindAGrave - 1Lt Lawrence M Elkins (tablets of the missing) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Melvin L. Hamner FindAGrave - SSgt Melvin Lee Hamner (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Melvin Lee Hamner (memorial marker photo) The History of Platte County Nebraska - Staff Sergeant Melvin Hamner American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Billy H. Smith, Jr. FindAGrave - SSGT Billy H. Smith Jr. (news, tablets of the missing photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 14, 2026 |
 B-25  Map December 20, 1943 |
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