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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 405th BS Former Assignments 71st BS  Bill Thompson 1980  Richard Leahy 1980  David Paulley 1982  Justin Taylan 2000   Justin Taylan 2003 |
Pilot Captain Robert J. Henderson, O-660752 (survived) Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Chester H. Swenson, O-738287 (survived) Ramsey County, MN Navigator 1st Lt. Norwood L. Johnson, O-434570 (WIA, died) Lincoln County, MN Crew T/Sgt James Kannette, 34304121 (WIA) Crew S/Sgt Sam A. Mazzara, 16093878 (survived) Crashed March 4, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8758. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-20 Mitchell serial number 41-30593. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History This B-25 was assigned to pilot 2nd Lt. Robert W. Schalkle and his crew nickname the bomber "Bar-Fly" in yellow lettering with the nose art of a fly with brown arms and green and yellow highlights. The artwork was painted at Greenville, North Carolina by one of the ground crew for $5.00. The crew decided on this name in honor of all the partying they did while in training. Ferried overseas by pilot 2nd Lt. Robert W. Schalkle with Duvall, McGourty, Hellstrom, Davis and Maddox across the Pacific via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia and arrives Garbutt Field in Townsville in July 1943. During July 1943, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS). The nose had the squadron's "The Wolf Pack" motif. Assigned to pilot Lt Clanton with crew chief Sgt Duffle. During August 1943, modified into a B-25D-1 strafer by the 4th Air Depot at Townsville then joins the squadron at 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby in New Guinea. On August 18, 1943 first combat mission with the squadron. On September 8, 1943 first appears in squadron records. On November 22, 1943 last combat mission with the squadron. On December 21, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) piloted by Major John J. Watkins as flight leader on a low level bombing and strafing mission against Madang. The crew included navigator 1t Lt. David E. Beale. During January 1944, transfered to the 405th Bombardment Squadron (405th BS). On February 3, 1944 first combat mission with the squadron. On February 29, 1944 last combat mission with the squadron. In total, this B-25 flew at least nine combat missions with the squadron. Mission History On March 4, 1944 took off from Horanda Airfield (Dobodura No. 4) piloted by Captain Robert J. Henderson on a night mission and crashed after take off. The navigator, 1st Lt. Norwood L. Johnson suffered a severe head injury and died several hours later. Afterwards, the damaged bomber was written off and abandoned at Horanda Airfield. Wreckage In the 1970s, this bomber was recovered and transported transported Girua Airport (Dobodura No. 7) for display as a war memorial and installed by Oro Province Works Department. The greenhouse nose section of B-25D "Bar-Fly" 42-30593 was attached to the forward nose of B-25H 43-4450 to make an externally complete plane for display. Traces of the U.S. star insignia remains on the fuselage, and traces of its nose art are still visible. The two engines P-47 Thunderbolt engines, also recovered from Girua area are displayed in front of the Mitchell. The left landing gear leg from a B-24 Liberator is bolted onto left wing to make an externally complete aircraft. Memorials Johnson was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Postwar, he was buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at section C-25 site 14204. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Chester H. Swenson NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Norwood L Johnson NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James Kannette NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Sam A. Mazzara USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-20 Mitchell 41-30593 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-30593 FindAGrave - Norwood L Johnson (grave photo) Statement by Major John J. Watkins December 21, 1943 via Missing Air Crew Report 1544 (MACR 1544) page 12 Sun Setters of the Southwest Pacific Area pages AIII-7 (71st BS, 41-20593), AIII-18 (405th BS, 41-20593) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 15, 2026 |
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