The aircraft Ten Knights in a Bar Room along with the Sheehan crew seen in this photo, were lost to enemy aircraft (Ki-61"Tony") on 12-1-43. They were on a bombing mission from Port Moresby to the largest Japanese held airbase in New Guinea (Wewak), when they were jumped by enemy fighters. The aircraft received hits that caused a fire to erupt, there after exploding in the air. The plane was found in the thick jungles in an uninhabited area of New Guinea 27 years later in May of '71 by Australian officials investigating a report of an A20 lost in the same area during the war. Crew Identification was made by dogtags and other insignia. The aircraft's serial # was still visible on the tail. The crew were returned home for proper burial. Other aircraft lost on that same mission were Pudgy with the Smith crew and Pistol Packin Mama with the Adams crew.

The Sheehan Crew are as follows, but not listed in order of crew photo: 1st Lt. Oliver Sheehan, 2nd Lt. Robert J. Rothwell, 2nd Lt. Wendall P. Rawson, 2nd Lt. James A. Gebbie, T/Sgt. Uhland S. Adair, T/Sgt. John J. Haggerty, T/Sgt. Raymond M. Phillips, S/Sgt. Thomas D. McNamara, S/Sgt. Rocco W. Bobbora And S/Sgt. Richard D. Wall.

I post this crew photo in loving memory of all crews lost in this battle, and a special thanks to all of them for their sacrifices made to maintain our freedom. May they not be forgotten.

5th AF 90th BG 321 BS S# 42-72806

Contributors: Bonnie and Jason Dilworth, daughter and grandson of George C. Porter, top turret gunner, Bearskin crew.