The document below contains the history of the 418th NFS, the first squadron to be deployed in the Pacific. Special thanks to Kevin Reeder for providing.
UPDATE:
Kevin Reeder was given this abstract painting of Henry Lee Gurley’s plane, a P-61B-15 NO 42-39591 , in combat from his daughter for Father’s Day . The painting was done by artist Moh Billbeisi. We thought is was so spectacular that we added it to the 418th page for everyone to see.
I am writing the story of a crash landing of a B-25H of 418NFS on the Vogelkop of DNG on 27 July 1944. Ira M. Barnett and his crew (Thomas Wright, Pete Whipland and Harold Tantaquidgeon) landed in a huge sago swamp some 60 miles from the coast. An extensive rescue operation by the 5th AF including elements of the 2 ERS (Emergency Rescue Squadron), 41st Infantry Division, 5th AF HQ rescue section, Australian Army Jungle Training School, 25 PRS (Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron) and Dutch NICA (Netherlands Indies Civil Administration) together formed a rescue team that went into the jungle and swamp to bring the crew of B-25H 43-4422 back to safety.
The report of the rescue reads like the script of a Hollywood movie.
Might someone have more information on this rescue operation (27 July – 19 August 1944) or any of the men involved (2ERS: Harold Manser, Donald C Brickner, Leslie A Lange; 418NFS Norbert J deBoer, Albert R Sorbo, Caroll “Snuffy” Smith, Kerstetter and Barnett and his crew; 25PRS Charlie D Crow; Australian Army William Gillespie, Thomas William Scott, Donald Stanley Riordan, Alexander Sidney Goddard; 41st ID Victor J Krause; NICA Louis B.J. Rapmund, Silas Papare), please let me know. Pictures, maps, letters, diaries etc are all very welcome.
Contact me at kreuger62@gmail.com or postal at: Colenbranderstraat 6 2313PX Leiden, the Netherlands