The Missing Air Crew Project and the MissingAirCrew.com Web site is dedicated to the memories of the ten crew members of the Coleman B-24 Crew (13th Air Force, 372nd Bombardment Squadron, 307th Bombardment Group) who were shot down by a Japanese fighter over Yap Island and declared missing on 25 June 1944. My uncle, T/Sgt John R. McCullough, was the Assistant Radio Operator on the missing B-24. Although it's been sixty years since the plane went missing, it's never too late to start the search for the Coleman Crew. The crew should not lie anonymously in the waters near Yap Island. The crew member families need to know where their loved ones lie. 78,000 servicemen from WWII are still missing in action. Their bodies never have been found and their families never have known the peace of closure. My name is Patrick Ranfranz and this site is my vehicle to find out more about the lives and times of the Coleman Crew members and to find the missing plane! read more
The Los Negros to Yap mission was a thirteen hour round trip to a heavily defended target without friendly fighter cover.
US Report: As part of a formation of B-24 bombers striking at the enemy held stronghold of Yap Island, Aircraft #598 piloted by Lt. Coleman, was attacked by enemy aircraft about a minute and a half after bombs away. Direct hits were scored by the enemy interceptors on #2 and #3 engines. The cockpit and bombardiers compartment were seen with flames coming out of the windows which had been shot out. The plane made a perfect loop, then fell off to the right in a spin and crashed in the water 2 miles South of the runway. They were strafed all the way down and also after hitting the water. No parachutes were seen and it is believed that all members of the crew are dead. read more
Japanese Report:
25JUN: Total of 17 Zekes intercepted these Liberators. Four out of the seventeen were with 202 Ku (Sento 301)(PO1c HAYASHI, Josaku, PO1c OHKUBO, Kotozo, CPO TANAKA, Toshio, Ldg Sea (aviation) KIKI?, Motohiro) The 202 Ku took off at 1040 and returned at 1130. 1 B24 shot over by fighters over water near Yap but witnesses said no survivors. read more
Please help locate additional information about the Coleman crew to document their life's. Additional information can be submitted to Pat Ranfranz at:
pat@missingaircrew.com. Click on the following links to view information collected thus far:
- Gerald D. Coleman, Pilot
- John E., Jr. Jurica, Co-Pilot
- Martin B. Unger, Navigator
- James F. Lind, Bombardier
- Robert P. Wagoner, Engineer
- James R., Jr. Lykens, Ass't Engineer
- James R. Hurd, Radio Operator
- John R. McCullough, Ass't Radio Operator
- Romeo Tetreault, Gunner
- Bill Williams,, Jr. Armorer Gunner
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Pat Ranfranz presenting his Missing Air Crew Project at the 307th Bomb Group Reunion in Seattle, WA (August 2006)
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Pat Ranfranz graduated with a BS in History and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in 1989. Pat's senior thesis in college was titled, "The Development of Air Power". Pat has pursued his strong passion for history while building a career in educational publishing over the last 15 years. Pat is currently the Vice President of Marketing for Pearson AGS Globe and an avid historian specializing in military and aviation history. Pat is a private pilot, certified scuba diver, and historic researcher. He is the developer and owner of several historic aviation web sites including www.CharlesLindbergh.com and www.MissingAirCrew.com .
Pat Ranfranz is available as a speaker and historic consultant/researcher. Pat does not charge for speaking engagements regarding his Missing Air Crew Project, however, travel and lodging costs for events outside of Minnesota will need to be negotiated. To check on Pat's availability, submit a description of the proposed activity, including the location, expected audience, and preferred dates to: pat@missingaircrew.com
Pat is also available to be hired as a contract historian/consultant on a project basis. To receive a project bid, please submit a description of your proposed history project to pat@missingaircrew.com. Pat will reply with a fair project bid in a timely manner. Pat always completes high-quality work on schedule.
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Pat Ranfranz visiting a Hellcat crash site on Yap Island (Sept 2006)
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Read my (Patrick Ranfranz’s site Developer) weblog updates. My weblog is a journal that is frequently updated and intended to provide the general public with updates regarding my Missing Air Crew project. In addition, my Coleman Crew Overview (PDF File) document and
PacificWrecks.com interview provide helpful background information about my Missing Air Crew Project. View All Updates
The Missing Air Crew Project (Pat & Cherie Ranfranz) spent an exhausting week on Yap Island in October 2005 searching for the Coleman B-24. Although we did not find the Coleman B-24 on the first trip (Phase I) we came home feeling like we accomplished a lot during the trip. While on Yap we were going non-stop interviewing Yapese elders, hacking through jungles, crawling through mangrove swamps, and diving the waters around the Yap reef. We returned to Yap in September 2006 with seven people from two other families who lost men in different B-24's over Yap. A number of crash sites were located during the September 2006 trip. Please vist the following page to view information and pictures from our Yap Island search trips: MORE
Seeking to return to Yap in 2007 or 2008
New technologies are available to find the planes!
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Patrick Ranfranz surveying an American Hellcat crash site on Yap Island, October 2005. More
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The Missing Air Crew Project is seeking donations and sponsors to help locate the Coleman B-24 and other American planes lost near Yap Island in WWII. We traveled to Yap in October 2005 and September 2006 to search for the missing planes. We have locate a number of the planes during the first two trips but will need to return to continue the work. We are seeking donations to help offset the costs for the next search trip to Yap Island (Phase II). The dates have not been set for the Phase III trip at this time, however, we are looking at dates in 2007 or 2008. We would like to utilize side scanning sonar, ROV (submersible), and underwater cameras to locate the plane's and to document all the American crash sites in the waters of Yap. Side scanning sonar is a key tool that is needed to identify submerged planes in the water. Outside of direct sponsors, the Missing Air Crew Project is seeking anyone who can help with research, information, and technology resources to help us locate the planes. Please visit the Contribute/Donations page or feel free to email Pat at pat@missingaircrew.com.
Stories from veterans or their family members are welcome. We're proud to pay tribute the courageous veterans who reflect on their war experiences. We want to know about veterns experiences during World War II. What unit did you serve with? What was military life like? How did the war affect your family? What did you do and see during the war, and how did it affect you?
Email Pat at: webmaster@missingaircrew.com
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