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Seeking information about 2n Lt Joseph Horgan, 319th

Posted: 31 Jul 2020 1959
by Nigel
I'm looking for any information about 2nd Lt. Joseph Horgan. His plane went down shortly after take off from McGuire field, Mindoro, Phillipines on 15th July, 1945. Unfortunately it looks like there was no MACR filed, so I don't know the number or name of the plane (I'm assuming it would be B-24J). Any information will be very gratefully received.

I believe the air crew were:

2nd Lt. Edgar Walton Osterberg, Pilot
2nd Lt. James Hapgood Ferguson, Co-pilot
2nd Lt. Joseph Horgan, Bombardier
TSgt Robert E Schafer, Radio Operator
TSgt Leonard N Huffstetler, Gunner
SSgt Lawrence J Teall, Gunner
TSgt. Frank Piraino, Engineer
SSgt Jack Schmidt, Gunner
*Lt Leon Klein (Kline?), Navigator
*S/Sgt William E Selleck, ? assuming gunner

*survived after ditching to be picked up

Re: Seeking information about 2n Lt Joseph Horgan, 319th

Posted: 03 Aug 2020 2339
by Bob Tupa
This may be the plane.

44-49864 B-24L-15-FO 96870-R NAVEL MANEUVERS  5 90 319 22-Jan-45 15-Jul-45 CON

Re: Seeking information about 2n Lt Joseph Horgan, 319th

Posted: 01 Dec 2020 1315
by Mark Glanville
In "Tales Of the Jolly Rodgers", it lists Lt. Horgan received these awards - Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. The book goes into detail on some air medal awards but unfortunately not for Lt. Horgan. You might be able to track that down on the Military archives site.

I've attached a photo of the Osterberg Crew from the book "Legacy of the 90th Bombardment Group".
Osterberg Crew.jpg

Re: Seeking information about 2n Lt Joseph Horgan, 319th

Posted: 11 Dec 2020 1813
by Nigel
Thank you very much Mark, greatly appreciated!