Co. Pilot 2nd/Lt. Nicholas D. Bondar MIA/KIA
Hometown: Michigan
Service# O-742408
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Frank Marfia MIA/KIA
Target:Bremen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 01552
Date Lost: 13-Nov-43
Serial Number: #42-7503
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V"
Aircraft Name: "MISS AMERICA" 5th Mission
Location: North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee.
Cause: Fighters 10KIA
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: An after-mission report on 15 November 1943 given by Major Gray, Acting Command Pilot, on the Deputy Lead aircraft #492 reported that Lt. Marfia's B-24 had been struck by bombs from the 392nd Lead ship #527 and #2 engine of the Marfia aircraft was set afire, and immediately following over this target the latter Liberator was attacked by enemy aircraft with a 20mm shell going through the tail gunner's turret and waist gun positions - probably killing the gunners in all these positions. This aircraft then began losing altitude under the enemy attacks, but was seen still continuing the route and subsequently crashed or ditched in the North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee. No parachutes were ever seen. The target attack time was at 1144 to 1147 hours for all elements of the 392nd. Another report noted that the Marfia ship was last seen at approximate coordinates 52-40N 02-30E at 1330 hours, shot up but seemingly under control. It was further speculated that this aircraft had run short of fuel contributing to this crew's loss.
BURIAL RECORDS: All crew members are listed on the WALL OF THE MISSING at the U.S. National Cemetery, CAMBRIDGE, England. All members are noted to have received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. There are no German records to reflect the loss of this aircrew and aircraft.
The "BIG DOG" crew
1/Lt. Frank Marfia Pilot
2nd/Lt. Nicholas D. Bondar Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Raymond L. Wyatt Navigator
2nd/Lt James W. Moor Bombardier
T/Sgt. Roy G. Sekavec Engineer
T/Sgt. Kenneth O. Brown Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Peter P. De Simone Gunner
S/Sgt Herbert B. Emerson, Jr Gunner
S/Sgt. William A. Cunningham Gunner
S/Sgt. James F. Simpson Gunner
2nd/Lt. John Joseph Delach Navigator
2nd/Lt Robert R. Rapenport Bombardier
Hometown: Michigan
Service# O-742408
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Frank Marfia MIA/KIA
Target:Bremen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 01552
Date Lost: 13-Nov-43
Serial Number: #42-7503
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V"
Aircraft Name: "MISS AMERICA" 5th Mission
Location: North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee.
Cause: Fighters 10KIA
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: An after-mission report on 15 November 1943 given by Major Gray, Acting Command Pilot, on the Deputy Lead aircraft #492 reported that Lt. Marfia's B-24 had been struck by bombs from the 392nd Lead ship #527 and #2 engine of the Marfia aircraft was set afire, and immediately following over this target the latter Liberator was attacked by enemy aircraft with a 20mm shell going through the tail gunner's turret and waist gun positions - probably killing the gunners in all these positions. This aircraft then began losing altitude under the enemy attacks, but was seen still continuing the route and subsequently crashed or ditched in the North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee. No parachutes were ever seen. The target attack time was at 1144 to 1147 hours for all elements of the 392nd. Another report noted that the Marfia ship was last seen at approximate coordinates 52-40N 02-30E at 1330 hours, shot up but seemingly under control. It was further speculated that this aircraft had run short of fuel contributing to this crew's loss.
BURIAL RECORDS: All crew members are listed on the WALL OF THE MISSING at the U.S. National Cemetery, CAMBRIDGE, England. All members are noted to have received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. There are no German records to reflect the loss of this aircrew and aircraft.
The "BIG DOG" crew
1/Lt. Frank Marfia Pilot
2nd/Lt. Nicholas D. Bondar Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Raymond L. Wyatt Navigator
2nd/Lt James W. Moor Bombardier
T/Sgt. Roy G. Sekavec Engineer
T/Sgt. Kenneth O. Brown Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Peter P. De Simone Gunner
S/Sgt Herbert B. Emerson, Jr Gunner
S/Sgt. William A. Cunningham Gunner
S/Sgt. James F. Simpson Gunner
2nd/Lt. John Joseph Delach Navigator
2nd/Lt Robert R. Rapenport Bombardier
Co. Pilot 2nd/Lt. Nicholas D. Bondar MIA/KIA
Hometown: Michigan
Service# O-742408
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Frank Marfia MIA/KIA
Target:Bremen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 01552
Date Lost: 13-Nov-43
Serial Number: #42-7503
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V"
Aircraft Name: "MISS AMERICA" 5th Mission
Location: North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee.
Cause: Fighters 10KIA
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: An after-mission report on 15 November 1943 given by Major Gray, Acting Command Pilot, on the Deputy Lead aircraft #492 reported that Lt. Marfia's B-24 had been struck by bombs from the 392nd Lead ship #527 and #2 engine of the Marfia aircraft was set afire, and immediately following over this target the latter Liberator was attacked by enemy aircraft with a 20mm shell going through the tail gunner's turret and waist gun positions - probably killing the gunners in all these positions. This aircraft then began losing altitude under the enemy attacks, but was seen still continuing the route and subsequently crashed or ditched in the North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee. No parachutes were ever seen. The target attack time was at 1144 to 1147 hours for all elements of the 392nd. Another report noted that the Marfia ship was last seen at approximate coordinates 52-40N 02-30E at 1330 hours, shot up but seemingly under control. It was further speculated that this aircraft had run short of fuel contributing to this crew's loss.
BURIAL RECORDS: All crew members are listed on the WALL OF THE MISSING at the U.S. National Cemetery, CAMBRIDGE, England. All members are noted to have received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. There are no German records to reflect the loss of this aircrew and aircraft.
The "BIG DOG" crew
1/Lt. Frank Marfia Pilot
2nd/Lt. Nicholas D. Bondar Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Raymond L. Wyatt Navigator
2nd/Lt James W. Moor Bombardier
T/Sgt. Roy G. Sekavec Engineer
T/Sgt. Kenneth O. Brown Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Peter P. De Simone Gunner
S/Sgt Herbert B. Emerson, Jr Gunner
S/Sgt. William A. Cunningham Gunner
S/Sgt. James F. Simpson Gunner
2nd/Lt. John Joseph Delach Navigator
2nd/Lt Robert R. Rapenport Bombardier
Hometown: Michigan
Service# O-742408
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Frank Marfia MIA/KIA
Target:Bremen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#: 01552
Date Lost: 13-Nov-43
Serial Number: #42-7503
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V"
Aircraft Name: "MISS AMERICA" 5th Mission
Location: North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee.
Cause: Fighters 10KIA
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: An after-mission report on 15 November 1943 given by Major Gray, Acting Command Pilot, on the Deputy Lead aircraft #492 reported that Lt. Marfia's B-24 had been struck by bombs from the 392nd Lead ship #527 and #2 engine of the Marfia aircraft was set afire, and immediately following over this target the latter Liberator was attacked by enemy aircraft with a 20mm shell going through the tail gunner's turret and waist gun positions - probably killing the gunners in all these positions. This aircraft then began losing altitude under the enemy attacks, but was seen still continuing the route and subsequently crashed or ditched in the North Sea approaches near the Zuider Zee. No parachutes were ever seen. The target attack time was at 1144 to 1147 hours for all elements of the 392nd. Another report noted that the Marfia ship was last seen at approximate coordinates 52-40N 02-30E at 1330 hours, shot up but seemingly under control. It was further speculated that this aircraft had run short of fuel contributing to this crew's loss.
BURIAL RECORDS: All crew members are listed on the WALL OF THE MISSING at the U.S. National Cemetery, CAMBRIDGE, England. All members are noted to have received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. There are no German records to reflect the loss of this aircrew and aircraft.
The "BIG DOG" crew
1/Lt. Frank Marfia Pilot
2nd/Lt. Nicholas D. Bondar Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Raymond L. Wyatt Navigator
2nd/Lt James W. Moor Bombardier
T/Sgt. Roy G. Sekavec Engineer
T/Sgt. Kenneth O. Brown Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Peter P. De Simone Gunner
S/Sgt Herbert B. Emerson, Jr Gunner
S/Sgt. William A. Cunningham Gunner
S/Sgt. James F. Simpson Gunner
2nd/Lt. John Joseph Delach Navigator
2nd/Lt Robert R. Rapenport Bombardier
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Michigan.
Family Members
Other Records
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