USAAF 41-31818 Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder

USAAF serial number S/N: 41-31818 Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder

1941031818, 41-31818 Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder Fate: Shot Down Unit: 323BG453BS Remarks: 323BG453BS White Tails Code:VT-C Red Dog II shot down by flak over France May 20, 1944. MACR-4967, Disposal: 20-May-44

Photo 01: USAAF 41-31818 B-26B Marauder 323BG453BS VTC Red Dog II with crew 01
The crew of the Martin B-26 Marauder "Red Dog II," 453rd BS, 323rd BG, circa 1943

Photo 02: USAAF 41-31818 B-26B Marauder 323BG453BS VTC Red Dog II 1Lt Louis James Bamberger 01
Louis James Bamberger, 1st Lieutenant. The 453rd Bombardment Squadron. Part of crew Aircraft Red Dog, 41-31818 VT-C, piloted by Jerome St. Peter that was shot down on May 20, 1944 near the Dieppe area over Belgium and France. The St. Peter crew jettisoned their bombs before they went down. MIA were 1st. Lt. Louis J. Bamberger, S/Sgt John H. Biddle, S/Sgt Raymond D. Hamley, Maj. William J. Heather, T/Sgt Paul O. Johnson, T/Sgt Richard G. Keefer, S/Sgt. Leroy E. Neal, 1st Lt. Jerome F. St. Peter, S/Sgt Eugene F.

In 1945, Mrs. Hester C Bamberger, his mother, received a letter from the Adjutant General’s office of the War Department. Washington D. C..that read,

“Since your son,1st Lt.Louis J Bamberger, U. S. Army Air Corps, was missing in action May 24, 1944 the war department has entertained hope that he survived and that information would be revealed dispelling the uncertainty surrounding his absence. However, as in many cases, the condition of warfare deny us such information. The record concerning your sons shows he was a bombardier abroad a B-26 (Maurauder) bomber, which on May 20, 1944 departed from England on a bombardment mission over France. The aircraft was last observed at approximately 7:15 P.M. over the Dieppe port area, in France, after it had been severely damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire.”

“Full consideration has recently been given, all available information bearing on the absence of your son, including all records, reports and circumstances. These have been carefully review and considered. In view of the fact that 12 months have now expired without a receipt of evidence to support a continued presumption of survival, the war department must terminate such absence by a presumptive finding death.”

“The finding does not establish an actual or probable date of death; however as it includes a presumptive date of death for the termination of pay and allowances settlement of accounts, and payment of death gratuities. In the case of your son the date has been set as May 21,1945, the date following the expiration of 12 months absence.”

“I regret the necessity for this message but that the ending of along period of uncertainty may give at least some small measure of consolation. I hope you may find sustaining comforting in the thought that the uncertainty with which war has surrounded the absence of your son has enhanced the honor of his service to his country and of his sacrifice.”

Signed, H. A. Ulto Major General

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/33496