World War II
-
POW
Fallen

County:
Stark

Date of Loss:

Branch of Service:
Army

Rank:
1st Lieutenant

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent:
B-24D #41-24186

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:
72nd Bomber Squadron

Regiment / Group / Brigade:
5th Bomb Group

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:
13th Army Air Force
Listed on/in the:
Register of North Dakota Veterans World War II 1941-1945 and Korean Conflict 1950-1953, published 1968

Major Battle/Theatre:
Asiatic Pacific Theater

Circumstances:

After a successful bombing mission it was noticed by other B-24's, while returning to base, that B-24D #41-24186 was not able to close their bomb bay doors and that one of their engines was also on fire. The crew was given the order to bailout near New Ireland Island, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea..

After bailing out some of the crew were able to swim to shore and they soon became POW's of the Japanese. (see below for more)

Anthony was first declared "Missing In Action" on this mission.

He was later found to have become a POW of the Japanese Army and was held at the Rabaul Pow Camp, Rabaul, New Britain 4-152.

Anthony was "Executed" by the Japanese in what became known as the "Tunnel Hill Massacre" on March 5, 1944.

Biography:

born Dickinson, ND 21 May 17; resident Stark County, ND; entered AUS Los Angeles, Calif 18 Nov 41; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; KIA 5 Mar 44 Rabaul, New Britain; buried in Section 78, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, Mo.