"Taxpayers Pride" last ride Air Corps SS/DFC/PH KIA group

[tarbridge]

T/sgt John J Barry

service# 6987583

Radio

43rd Bomb Group

64th Bomb Squadron

B-17 "Taxpayers Pride"

KIA 26 June 1943

From: Toledo Ohio

 

T/sgt Barr is listed being awarded a Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross in the fight for the Island Air Bases in Mingos "American Heroes in the War in the Air". RIP S/Sgt Barry

 

 

 

B-17F-10-BO"Taxpayer's Pride"Serial Number41-24448

 

USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
64th BS

Former Assignments
19th BG

Pilot Captain Donald D. McEachran, O-169511 (MIA / KIA / BR) Taft, CA
Co-Pilot Captain John W. Scott, O-376130 (MIA / KIA / BR) Camden, IN
Navigator 2nd Lt Sumner L. Beck, O-744826 403rd BS (MIA / KIA / BR) Danville, IA
Bombardier 1st Lt. Mortimer K. Smith, Jr., O-659598 (MIA / KIA / BR) Adams Basin, NY)
Engineer Sgt. Ralph H. Thomas, Jr., 19079598 (MIA / KIA / BR) Pasadena, CA
Radio T/Sgt. John J. Barry, 6987583 (MIA / KIA / BR) Toledo, OH
Asst. Radio T/Sgt. Rodney J. Edwards, 6902793 (MIA / KIA / BR) West Palm Beach, FL
Gunner Sgt Otto Russell, 15087861 (MIA / KIA / BR) West Frankfort, IL
Gunner Cpl Homer G. Harper, 19079598 (MIA / KIA / BR) Waterloo, IA
Asst. Engineer / Tail Gunner Cpl Joel W. Griffin, 18040364 (POW, survived) Baird, TX
Crashed June 26, 1943
MACR 15995

 

 

Mission History
Took off Dobodura at 1:45am on a night bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Strict radio silence was maintained during the mission. Nothing was heard from this bomber after take off. Over the target, this B-17 successfully bombed the target then turned for home base. Within minutes, intercepted J1N1 Irving piloted by Shigetoshi Kudo who spotted the bomber and made a firing pass using the night fighter's oblique 20mm cannons. This B-17 was hit, set on fire then crashed into the jungle near Mount Varzin.

At 02:30 hours, other B-17s over the target reported that an aircraft was seen to crash after firing tracer bullets at an unidentified object. A further report was received of a fire on the ground in the same vicinity at 03:38 hours. When this bomber failed to return, the crew were declared missing in action. Also lost on the same mission was B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430.

 

 

 

Silver Star See more recipients of this award

Awarded for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant John J. Barry (ASN: 6987583), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in action over Rabaul Harbor, New Britain, on 25 October 1942.

General Orders: Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 97 (May 21, 1943)

Action Date: October 25, 1942

Service: Army Air Forces

Rank: Sergeant

Company: 403d Bombardment Squadron

Regiment: 43d Bombardment Group (H)

Division: 5th Air Force

 

 

 

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[JDK]

Quite the set Robert. Thanks for sharing it and his story!

 

JD

[Wharfmaster]

Great early Pacific War group.

 

 

 

W

[DakotaDave]

They don't get much rarer nor better than this.... Air Corps, SW Pacific, early war period, great engraving, this set has got it all!!!

 

DakotaDave

[doinworkinvans]

Holy cow! Another stunning group from Rob! This one takes the cake in my book. Such an early war piece - very rare indeed.

[History Man]

Great early-war trio, this combination is quite a rare one!

 

Very nice write-up about them, the history behind this one sets it apart, I feel that the AAF in the Pacific is somewhat underappreciated.

 

Philip

[bobgee]

Lov-er-ly !!!!!!! Congrats, Robert! R.I.P. SSgt Barry........Bobgee

[Jack's Son]

Nice three piece grouping, thanks Robert.

[fstop61]

Excellent grouping.......5th AF makes it even better....thanks for sharing.

[JimD]

Great group and an interesting link to the Japanese pilot who brought this B-17 down. Shigetoshi Kudo was a pretty dealy opponent.

[Gary B]

From talks with my father it was quite difficult for EMs/NCOs to get an award like the SS. Would be interesting to know the details of the mission which led to the awarding of the SS. From my father's experiences there was sort of a trickle down on the level of the awards; lead pilot - SS, wingman pilot - DFC, crew - AM (at least that was the way it was in the 12th AF)

 

Nice group.

 

Gary B

[katieony]

_{Very nice!}

[jmar]

Robert,

 

Once again you've shared an incredible group and honored a Hero. Thank you for both.

 

I can only echo the comments here; awesome in deeds and well deserved decorations.

 

My best to you!

Joe

[tarbridge]

Sunday, 25 October, 1942

13 B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul, New Britain Island. In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and strafe the Isurava-Kokoda trail, the W bank of the Kumusi River, and the area North of Asisi as Australian ground forces push toward Kokoda in the Owen Stanley Range; and HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) move from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby with B-25s. The 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begins a movement from Mareeba, Australia to the US.

 

[Ricardo]

Great group!!

 

Ricardo.