An interactive map of the WW2 flights piloted by Captain John M. Manders, USAAF, from June 1943 through January, 1944. Clicking on a white dot will open a popup with information regarding that mission.
John M. Manders was born in 1919 in San Mateo County, California and enlisted as an Aviation Cadet on September 29, 1941. According to his enlistment card on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA AAD) site, he had completed two years of college and listed actor as his occupation.
After completing his flight training, he became a Flight Lead in the 501st Bomb Squadron of the 345th Bomb Group. As the Group moved to Australia and New Guinea, he took on the added responsibility of Squadron Operations Officer while continuing to fly missions.
As flight leader on the January 30, 1944 mission against shipping in Hansa Bay, his B-25 took hits from anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the bay just beyond the ship they were bombing. He and his crew of five remain MIA to this day.
