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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Elaine R. Connell

B-24 Pilot - 13th Air Force, 372nd Bomb Squadron,
307th Bomb Group - Jungle Air Force, Southwest Pacific.
1st Lt. Robert E. Connell and his crew were based on Noemfoor Island, Northern coast of New Guinea. On Oct. 3rd 1944
they flew their first mission to bomb the oil refinery at
Balikpapan, a distance encompassing 2400 miles without escort as it was beyond fighter range. Following a successful bomb run, Japanese fighters attacked badly damaging the plane. The bomber fell out of formation and the crew hailed out. Having radioed their position the crew was picked up by the
submarine USS Mingo and taken tO Perth-Fremantle, Australia.
Six weeks later they rejoined their squadron on Morotai- Halamaris and flew 39 additional missions - a total of 40. 1st Lt. Robert E. Connell was honorably discharged in June, 1945.