CASUALTIES NOT LISTED IN MACR

1/LT Shea, Paul F. (P) 579th KIA
2/LT Hay, Sherman N. (CP) 579th KIA
2/LT Lowder, Leonard L. (N) 579th KIA
2/LT Heilman, James A. (B) 579th KIA
T/S Darling, Lockwood (NMI) (R/O) 579th KIA
T/S Mahoney, John E. (EnG) 579th KIA
S/S Moore, Harland R. (G) 579th KIA
S/S Dudley, William R. (G) 579thKIA
S/S Wisley, Robert L. (G) 579th KIA
S/S Adams, Billy (NMI) (G) 579th KIA

This aircrew flying in the rear element "slot" formation position crashed after take-off at 0900 hours at Great Dunham, Norfolk, on this combat mission to Genshagen on the outskirts of Berlin. Visibility at the time was approximately 100 yards due to a fog, a layer of which lay to a depth of approximately 50 feet. The crew of a ship flying in the area saw the accident, and the pilot stated that the ship was above the fog layer and appeared to lose altitude and crashed. Upon investigation, the aircraft was found to have struck a tree, crashed, and exploded approximately 2000 yards from the end and approximately 1000 yards to the left of the end of the runway. All (10) crew members perished in this accident. Ihe aircraft was completely burned up with the entire bomb load exploding.

Five (5) of these crewmen are buried in the U.S. National (overseas) Cemetery of CAMBRIDGE: Lt. Hay (Grave E-0-76), awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart, home State of California; Lt. Lowder (Grave E-O24), awarded an Air Medal with (2) Oak Leaf Clusters, but no Purple Heart citation is indicated, home state of West Virginia; Sgt. Mahoney (Grave C-3-5), awarded and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart, home State of New Jersey; Sgt. Moore (Grave B-3-l0), awarded the Purple Heart only, home state Idaho; and Sgt Wisley (Grave B-4-l0), awarded the Purple Heart, home state of Indiana. This crew was flying a B-24H Model #42-7473, nicknamed "CAROL ANN", Call Letter "J-Bar" which ship had flown a total of (16) combat missions up to this mishap.

John E Mahoney