Utility Squadron 2
JM-1 Bureau Number 66617
The JM-1P was a US Navy reconnaissance version of the Martin B-26 Marauder.
29 December 1944, JM-1 aircraft Bureau Number 66617, crashed at sea. The plane, in company with another JM-1 had been engaged in rendering towing services for a fleet unit when one engine failed. While proceeding toward base on one engine, the pilot was unable to maintain his altitude and finally made a forded landing at sea, seven (7) miles bearing 050 degrees true from Pityilu Island; (Pityilu Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea) cause for the accident is unknown. Of a crew of five persons, one man Wallace Richard Howard, 3826958, AOM2c(T), U.S. Navy, was rescued. The other four occupants, Lieutenant(jg) R.L. Auer, (A1) L, USNR, first pilot; Ensign Samuel Marsh, Jr. (A1) L, USNR, (314914) second pilot; Howard Theodore Held, 6329983, AMM1c, (V-6) USNR, plane captain; Aubrey James Borek, 6603487, AEM1c, (V-6), radioman, were not rescued, and have been declared dead. Squadron Two's ready rescue J2F-6 landed at the crash scene nine minutes after the crash, but only one survivor and some debris were still afloat. A thorough search of the vicinity was conducted by one destroyer, one YMS, and three crash boats for three hours with negative results.
JM-1 Bureau Number 66617
The JM-1P was a US Navy reconnaissance version of the Martin B-26 Marauder.
29 December 1944, JM-1 aircraft Bureau Number 66617, crashed at sea. The plane, in company with another JM-1 had been engaged in rendering towing services for a fleet unit when one engine failed. While proceeding toward base on one engine, the pilot was unable to maintain his altitude and finally made a forded landing at sea, seven (7) miles bearing 050 degrees true from Pityilu Island; (Pityilu Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea) cause for the accident is unknown. Of a crew of five persons, one man Wallace Richard Howard, 3826958, AOM2c(T), U.S. Navy, was rescued. The other four occupants, Lieutenant(jg) R.L. Auer, (A1) L, USNR, first pilot; Ensign Samuel Marsh, Jr. (A1) L, USNR, (314914) second pilot; Howard Theodore Held, 6329983, AMM1c, (V-6) USNR, plane captain; Aubrey James Borek, 6603487, AEM1c, (V-6), radioman, were not rescued, and have been declared dead. Squadron Two's ready rescue J2F-6 landed at the crash scene nine minutes after the crash, but only one survivor and some debris were still afloat. A thorough search of the vicinity was conducted by one destroyer, one YMS, and three crash boats for three hours with negative results.
Utility Squadron 2
JM-1 Bureau Number 66617
The JM-1P was a US Navy reconnaissance version of the Martin B-26 Marauder.
29 December 1944, JM-1 aircraft Bureau Number 66617, crashed at sea. The plane, in company with another JM-1 had been engaged in rendering towing services for a fleet unit when one engine failed. While proceeding toward base on one engine, the pilot was unable to maintain his altitude and finally made a forded landing at sea, seven (7) miles bearing 050 degrees true from Pityilu Island; (Pityilu Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea) cause for the accident is unknown. Of a crew of five persons, one man Wallace Richard Howard, 3826958, AOM2c(T), U.S. Navy, was rescued. The other four occupants, Lieutenant(jg) R.L. Auer, (A1) L, USNR, first pilot; Ensign Samuel Marsh, Jr. (A1) L, USNR, (314914) second pilot; Howard Theodore Held, 6329983, AMM1c, (V-6) USNR, plane captain; Aubrey James Borek, 6603487, AEM1c, (V-6), radioman, were not rescued, and have been declared dead. Squadron Two's ready rescue J2F-6 landed at the crash scene nine minutes after the crash, but only one survivor and some debris were still afloat. A thorough search of the vicinity was conducted by one destroyer, one YMS, and three crash boats for three hours with negative results.
JM-1 Bureau Number 66617
The JM-1P was a US Navy reconnaissance version of the Martin B-26 Marauder.
29 December 1944, JM-1 aircraft Bureau Number 66617, crashed at sea. The plane, in company with another JM-1 had been engaged in rendering towing services for a fleet unit when one engine failed. While proceeding toward base on one engine, the pilot was unable to maintain his altitude and finally made a forded landing at sea, seven (7) miles bearing 050 degrees true from Pityilu Island; (Pityilu Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea) cause for the accident is unknown. Of a crew of five persons, one man Wallace Richard Howard, 3826958, AOM2c(T), U.S. Navy, was rescued. The other four occupants, Lieutenant(jg) R.L. Auer, (A1) L, USNR, first pilot; Ensign Samuel Marsh, Jr. (A1) L, USNR, (314914) second pilot; Howard Theodore Held, 6329983, AMM1c, (V-6) USNR, plane captain; Aubrey James Borek, 6603487, AEM1c, (V-6), radioman, were not rescued, and have been declared dead. Squadron Two's ready rescue J2F-6 landed at the crash scene nine minutes after the crash, but only one survivor and some debris were still afloat. A thorough search of the vicinity was conducted by one destroyer, one YMS, and three crash boats for three hours with negative results.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Montana.
Family Members
Other Records
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
