Standing L-R:  Robert H. Guthrie    Lt. John Sbisa

  Kneeling L-R:   A. L. McDonald   Cpl. Ashton E. Carter

 Standing L-R:    James H. Maclellan  Charles Howe 

Kneeling L-R:  Hornburger   Lott

 Eugene P. McCarthy - James M. Hume   Ivan J. Wilkinson - Edward T. Solomon 

Howe   Jones   Burch   Axt

Epperson   McKinney   Solomon   McKee

Estep   Hume   Rosebush   McCoun

Maurice J. Carse    Capt. Robert D. Chatt

L- R 
Pvt. John C. Boggs * -S/Sgt. Paul W. Malite *

P/O Royce K. Johnco - 1st Lt. Robert W. Reed

The ID  order for Boggs & Malite is unknown.

Photo via Janice Hellman - daughter of Lt. Reed.

 

 

 

 39th Fighter Squadron  35th Fighter Group


 Hoyt Eason KIA  March 3, 1943

 8th Squadron


13th Squadron


89th Squadron


Lt. Charles P. Martin

90th Squadron


R.A.A.F.  22 & 30 SQUADRONS


 March 7, 2013

RAAF Richmond

Commemoration of the Battle of the Bismark Sea

 

More than 200 attendees have marked the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea at a service at RAAF Base Richmond today.

The Battle of the Bismarck Sea ran from 2-4 March 1943 and was critical to Allied success in the New Guinea campaign of the Second World War. As troops battled along the Kokoda Trail, the Japanese attempted to reinforce its positions in New Guinea by sailing eight troop ships carrying 6,900 troops from Rabaul to Lae.

Following close reconnaissance of the fleet, the Royal Australian Air Force and United States Army Air Force sent 90 aircraft to destroy the convoy, helping influence the outcome of the campaign in New Guinea. Shortly after World War II, United States Army General Douglas MacArthur described it as 'the decisive aerial engagement' of the war in the South West Pacific.

Joining past and present Air Force personnel at RAAF Base Richmond for the memorial service today was Air Force's current Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Mel Hupfeld.

"The Battle of the Bismarck Sea is often referred to as 'a land battle, fought at sea, and won by the air',"Air Vice-Marshal Hupfeld said. "Its lessons continue to be studied, and are still as relevant today as they were 70 years ago."

Dr Alan Stephens, who delivered the key-note speech during the commemoration service, said that the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, "finally eliminated any likelihood that the Japanese might be able to regain the initiative in New Guinea, and subsequently invade Australia."