USAAF B-24D 42-40682 "Pride of the Cornhuskers"
 

Hi All,
Despite much information on the net listing "Bakers Creek" as the worst crash in the Pacific Theatre in World War II, the worst crash actually occurred at Jackson's Strip, Port Moresby on 7th September 1943.

A USAAF B-24D bomber taking off from the strip #42-40682 "Pride of the Cornhuskers", loaded with 4x 500lb bombs and 2,800 gallons of fuel, clipped trees upon takeoff and crashed directly into the truckline of the 2/33 Australian Infantry Battalion who were waiting in trucks for their turn to emplane for battle.

In this tragic accident all 11 USAAF personnel onboard the plane were killed, along with 60 men from the 2/33 Battalion, 2 drivers from the 158 General Transport Company, and a further 90 men were injured.

My grandfather was an original 2/33 Battalion member, and as a young Lieutenant present at the time of the accident he had the horrific task of laying out the remains of his men for identification.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the crash, and on 6th September 2013 a 70th Anniversary Commemoration was conducted at the Australian War Memorial for all 73 men killed in the accident.

Our research has led us to make contact with two descendants in the United States, but we are still seeking next-of-kin for 9 of the USAAF men.

The men killed are as follows:

• Pilot 2nd Lt. Howard J. Wood (KIA, BR) NB
• Co-Pilot 1st Lt Howard R. Thomas, O-790734 (KIA, BR) NY
• Crew 2nd Lt Ralph M. Hart, O-675188 (KIA, BR) Oklahoma City, OK
• Crew 2nd Lt Robert G. McDonald, O-738996 (KIA, BR) FL
• Engineer S/Sgt John Hrywnak, 33345669 (KIA, BR) PA
• Crew T/Sgt Charles P. Seip, 7033077 (KIA, BR) PA
• Crew T/Sgt Hyman Silverstein (KIA, BR) MA
• Crew S/Sgt Joel L. Herndon, 34082449 (KIA, BR) GA
• Crew S/Sgt Donald F. Wilcott, 16075243 (KIA, BR) IL
• Crew S/Sgt Samuel M. Wilkinson, 33277954 (KIA, BR) PA
• Crew S/Sgt Samuel B. White, 14044815 (KIA, BR)

We have obtained one photo of the men in front of a B24 training aircraft, but we urgently seek to make contact with ANYBODY that may have further information to help contact next-of-kin, information about this accident, or any photos of the men, plane (including nose art), or crashsite.

Regards,
Matt Sloan
Grandson of SX1662 Captain Jack Balfour-Ogilvy
2/33 Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF)

Re: USAAF B-24D 42-40682 "Pride of the Cornhuskers"
 

Matt,

It so happens that we're in the middle of final editing for Vol I of the 43rd BG history, that includes this incident. It's almost 2 AM here in the US, but tomorrow I'll have someone on my staff get in touch with you. I know that we have at least one photo of the a/c with its nose art, and probably some of the crash. I don't know what we have on the crew. Anyway, we'll get back to you tomorrow about this.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator
& Co-author of the forthcoming 43rd BG history

Re: USAAF B-24D 42-40682 "Pride of the Cornhuskers"
 

Unfortunately most of the crew surnames are very common in the States except for Hrywnak.

There's a Paul Hrywnak Sr. 88 years old, and a Paul Hrywnak Jr 54 years old. May be the brother/nephew.
http://www.whitepages.com/name/Paul-...hip-PA/7t76h4t

http://anywhoyp.yellowpages.com/whit...%5Bstate%5D=PA

Re: USAAF B-24D 42-40682 "Pride of the Cornhuskers"
 

Haha, thank you so much for the info, but wouldn't you know it...Hrywnak & Silverstein are the two that we have already been in contact with.

I was looking on "Find a Grave" the other night, but it looks like one of the soldiers next-of-kin we may have missed by about 2-3 years.

I am really excited to talk to Larry and see what he can shed on this. We have certainly done a lot so far with the information of the crash & the photos. A team also located the crash site late last year with artifacts still present on the land.

Just such a tragedy and shame that nothing or very little is known by the US & Australian public for such a horrific accident.

Regards,
Matt