| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , Boeing B-17E: 41-2393 to 41-2669 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | - |
| Bomb Squadron: | - |
| MACR | 15500 |
| Fate: | |
History of
B-17 41-2505
Delivered Portland 14/1/42; Assigned 9BS/7G Java, transferred 30BS/19BG Java 10/2/42 with Taylor; Missing in Action Rabual 25/4/42 with Daniel Fagan, Co-pilot: Bob Meyer, Navigator: Ralph Howard, Bombardier: Jim Grant, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Joe Carter, Radio Operator: Ed Hargrove, Waist gunner: Paul Reimer,Tail gunner: Elton Rose (8 Killed in Action); crashed into Mt Obree, Papua New Guinea (at 9,000ft); first E model aircraft with Sperry ball turret. Wreck first discovered March 1961, then again 15/6/1986. Missing Air Crew Report 15500. (Eventually the remains of crew were recovered and returned to US for full military funeral at Arlington, Va. 15/11/90).
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 41-2505 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Daniel W. Fagen | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Robert R. Meyer, Jr. | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Ralph Howard | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Jim Sam Grant | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Joe A. Carter | KIA | - |
| RO | SGT | Edward L. Hargrove | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Paul A. Reimer | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Elton J. Rose | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 03 September 2022
02. September 2022 access_time 12:13
The pilot’s name is spelt FAGEN – not (FAGAN). I was the person responsible for the US Army’s Central Identification Laboratory returning to the site in 1986 after my examination of the disastrous 1961 effort and recovering the remains of the crew over two missions in 1986 and 1987. I wrote an article of this aircraft’s story that was published in Air Niugini’s In-Flight magazine, “PARADISE”. A pdf copy of the story can be sent to you if requested.
03. September 2022 access_time 19:15
Hello Bruce,
thank you for the message. I have updated to crew list and names.
Please sent my a pdf copy of the article. I am interested to read 🙂
Cheers
Jing
01. February 2024 access_time 6:51
Jing
I have attached a pdf copy of my story but the email was rejected by my server The following message to was undeliverable.
The reason for the problem:
5.1.0 – Unknown address error 550-‘5.1.1 : Recipient address rejected:\nUser unknown in virtual mailbox table’
Please use my Facebook page, or an alternative direct email address for you – Thanks!
23. June 2023 access_time 13:55
Hello Bruce,
Could l please obtain a copy of the Mt Mbree Fortress 41-2505 story that you wrote? l have an article on the internet about the Mt Superbus (Queensland) Lincoln aircraft which crashed in 1956 during a mercy flight which also may interest you. Many thanks, John Keighley.
01. February 2024 access_time 6:48
John – Can you respond through my Facebook page as I have tried to contact you through this website, as too to Jing, but I keep receiving messages from my server of the inability to send.