Charles G. Reichley
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 13093592
387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, Light, 5th Air Force
Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania
Died: 22 July 1944, Bay of Sekar, near Kokas, Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua, Indonesia
Missing in Action
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Son of Grover Berge Reichley (1893-1959) and Martha Edna (Smeltz) Reichley (1895-1956).
He attended Sunbury High School.
1940 US Census: Sunbury (Ward 8), Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Charles G Reichley (18 Pennsylvania)
1940-41 Susquehanna University - Charles G Reichley (1) 614 Market St., Sunbury
Charles G. Reichley (1921 Pennsylvania) a resident of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania enlisted as a Private (S/N 13093592) in the US Army on 19 October 1942 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Charles was married, had completed 2 years of college and was working as a clerk.
He was assigned to the 387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group.
On 01 November 1943 his unit left San Francisco, California aboard the SS Nieuw Amsterdam. They were heading for Sydney, Australia and then over to Port Moresby. On 31 December 1943 they moved to Gusap, New Guinea. The 312th Group were flying P-40s until January 1944 when they transitioned to the new A-20s which arrived at Port Moresby on 01 February 1944. After completing training, the 386th squadron was back at Gusap, 24 February 1944. On 25 February, they carried out their first A-20 strike to Alexishafen.
Charles was the gunner on a Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432, named Bevo. It was piloted by 2nd Lt. James L. Knarr.
In April 1944 the main target was Hollandia. The 312th Group flew over 700 A-20 sorties during that month. 16 April 1944 became known as "Black Sunday" when three hundred aircraft were sent to bomb & strafe Hollandia airfields and installations. A weather front of severe thunderstorms blocked their path back to their bases at Nadzab, Gusap, and Finchafen and Lae. By the end of the day, 37 aircraft were destroyed or missing, out of fuel, or crashing due to navigational errors and the weather. Most of the planes lost were A-20's and B-25's, forced down near or at Sadior. This was the largest operational losses suffered during World War II. 2 Lt. James L. Knarr was one of three pilots who was able to fly his plane safely to Saidor instead of Gusap that Black Sunday. Read more: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
May 1944 was spent bombing the Japanese around Wewak and after Hollandia was taken, the 60,000 Japanese troops remained along the New Guine coast between Alexishafen and Aitape.
On 12 July 1944 the squadron was moved to the Cyclops Airfield at Hollandia. Their operations were now directed into forward areas of Dutch New Guinea.
On 22 July 1944, twelve A-20s took off from Hollandia Airfield on a mission led by Col. Strauss. At that time it was the longest nonstop flight carried out by the group. The target, a Japanese seaplane base and barge landing at Kokas, Enga, Dutch New Guinea. His Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432 was part of the last flight of three aircraft over the targets, led by Captain Jack W. Klein, with wingman 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson and their aircraft. Approaching from the inland side of the the target, they dropped 250 lbs bombs and strafed gun positions. Their plane was hit by anti-aircraft gunfire and crashed into the sea. The pilot, 1st Lieutenant James L. Knarr (O-797844), on his 70th combat mission and gunner, Staff Sergeant Charles G. Reichley (S/N 13093492), on his 46th, were killed. Lieutenant Knarr was scheduled to complete his tour the following month.
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT (MACR) NO. 16140
ORGANIZATION: Location: APO 565; Group: 312th Bomb Gp; Squadron: 387th Bm Sq Light
DATE: 22 July 1944; Location of last known whereabouts of missing aircraft: Kokas
AIRCRAFT WAS LOST AS A RESULT OF: Enemy Anti-Aircraft
NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT: 2 Crew
Pilot 1st Lt. James L. Knarr 0-797844 - KIA
CP S/Sgt Charles G. Reichley 12 093 492 - KIA
Remarks: Plane shot down by A/A over Kokas.
Photos showed plane on fire and crashing at sea.
*******************************************************************************
The photos taken of the incident and were actually meant to capture the bomb damage. The other A-20s, involved in their own runs and evasive maneuvers were unaware of the fate of this A-20, until the photos of the mission were developed. A series of four photos, taken by another A-20 ahead of it captured the plane's last moments in the air. The A-20 piloted by Capt. Jack W. Klein) that recorded the pictures returned with 128 holes from gunfire. The other A-20 in the photo was Knarr's wingman, 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson, who made it back to base undamaged. These photos were later released to the media and appeared in Yank Magazine and TIME Magazine in support of the war bond drive captioned "Death of an A-20".
*******************************************************************************
14 Area Soldiers Reported Killed In War Theatres
"Fourteen area men have lost their lives fighting in the various war theatres, according to recent War Department announcement…. SSgt. Charles G. Reichley, Sunbury, was killed in the Southwest Pacific…" Source: Harrisburg Telegraph 06 October 1944 › Page 2
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 13093592
387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, Light, 5th Air Force
Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania
Died: 22 July 1944, Bay of Sekar, near Kokas, Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua, Indonesia
Missing in Action
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Son of Grover Berge Reichley (1893-1959) and Martha Edna (Smeltz) Reichley (1895-1956).
He attended Sunbury High School.
1940 US Census: Sunbury (Ward 8), Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Charles G Reichley (18 Pennsylvania)
1940-41 Susquehanna University - Charles G Reichley (1) 614 Market St., Sunbury
Charles G. Reichley (1921 Pennsylvania) a resident of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania enlisted as a Private (S/N 13093592) in the US Army on 19 October 1942 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Charles was married, had completed 2 years of college and was working as a clerk.
He was assigned to the 387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group.
On 01 November 1943 his unit left San Francisco, California aboard the SS Nieuw Amsterdam. They were heading for Sydney, Australia and then over to Port Moresby. On 31 December 1943 they moved to Gusap, New Guinea. The 312th Group were flying P-40s until January 1944 when they transitioned to the new A-20s which arrived at Port Moresby on 01 February 1944. After completing training, the 386th squadron was back at Gusap, 24 February 1944. On 25 February, they carried out their first A-20 strike to Alexishafen.
Charles was the gunner on a Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432, named Bevo. It was piloted by 2nd Lt. James L. Knarr.
In April 1944 the main target was Hollandia. The 312th Group flew over 700 A-20 sorties during that month. 16 April 1944 became known as "Black Sunday" when three hundred aircraft were sent to bomb & strafe Hollandia airfields and installations. A weather front of severe thunderstorms blocked their path back to their bases at Nadzab, Gusap, and Finchafen and Lae. By the end of the day, 37 aircraft were destroyed or missing, out of fuel, or crashing due to navigational errors and the weather. Most of the planes lost were A-20's and B-25's, forced down near or at Sadior. This was the largest operational losses suffered during World War II. 2 Lt. James L. Knarr was one of three pilots who was able to fly his plane safely to Saidor instead of Gusap that Black Sunday. Read more: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
May 1944 was spent bombing the Japanese around Wewak and after Hollandia was taken, the 60,000 Japanese troops remained along the New Guine coast between Alexishafen and Aitape.
On 12 July 1944 the squadron was moved to the Cyclops Airfield at Hollandia. Their operations were now directed into forward areas of Dutch New Guinea.
On 22 July 1944, twelve A-20s took off from Hollandia Airfield on a mission led by Col. Strauss. At that time it was the longest nonstop flight carried out by the group. The target, a Japanese seaplane base and barge landing at Kokas, Enga, Dutch New Guinea. His Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432 was part of the last flight of three aircraft over the targets, led by Captain Jack W. Klein, with wingman 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson and their aircraft. Approaching from the inland side of the the target, they dropped 250 lbs bombs and strafed gun positions. Their plane was hit by anti-aircraft gunfire and crashed into the sea. The pilot, 1st Lieutenant James L. Knarr (O-797844), on his 70th combat mission and gunner, Staff Sergeant Charles G. Reichley (S/N 13093492), on his 46th, were killed. Lieutenant Knarr was scheduled to complete his tour the following month.
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT (MACR) NO. 16140
ORGANIZATION: Location: APO 565; Group: 312th Bomb Gp; Squadron: 387th Bm Sq Light
DATE: 22 July 1944; Location of last known whereabouts of missing aircraft: Kokas
AIRCRAFT WAS LOST AS A RESULT OF: Enemy Anti-Aircraft
NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT: 2 Crew
Pilot 1st Lt. James L. Knarr 0-797844 - KIA
CP S/Sgt Charles G. Reichley 12 093 492 - KIA
Remarks: Plane shot down by A/A over Kokas.
Photos showed plane on fire and crashing at sea.
*******************************************************************************
The photos taken of the incident and were actually meant to capture the bomb damage. The other A-20s, involved in their own runs and evasive maneuvers were unaware of the fate of this A-20, until the photos of the mission were developed. A series of four photos, taken by another A-20 ahead of it captured the plane's last moments in the air. The A-20 piloted by Capt. Jack W. Klein) that recorded the pictures returned with 128 holes from gunfire. The other A-20 in the photo was Knarr's wingman, 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson, who made it back to base undamaged. These photos were later released to the media and appeared in Yank Magazine and TIME Magazine in support of the war bond drive captioned "Death of an A-20".
*******************************************************************************
14 Area Soldiers Reported Killed In War Theatres
"Fourteen area men have lost their lives fighting in the various war theatres, according to recent War Department announcement…. SSgt. Charles G. Reichley, Sunbury, was killed in the Southwest Pacific…" Source: Harrisburg Telegraph 06 October 1944 › Page 2
Charles G. Reichley
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 13093592
387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, Light, 5th Air Force
Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania
Died: 22 July 1944, Bay of Sekar, near Kokas, Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua, Indonesia
Missing in Action
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Son of Grover Berge Reichley (1893-1959) and Martha Edna (Smeltz) Reichley (1895-1956).
He attended Sunbury High School.
1940 US Census: Sunbury (Ward 8), Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Charles G Reichley (18 Pennsylvania)
1940-41 Susquehanna University - Charles G Reichley (1) 614 Market St., Sunbury
Charles G. Reichley (1921 Pennsylvania) a resident of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania enlisted as a Private (S/N 13093592) in the US Army on 19 October 1942 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Charles was married, had completed 2 years of college and was working as a clerk.
He was assigned to the 387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group.
On 01 November 1943 his unit left San Francisco, California aboard the SS Nieuw Amsterdam. They were heading for Sydney, Australia and then over to Port Moresby. On 31 December 1943 they moved to Gusap, New Guinea. The 312th Group were flying P-40s until January 1944 when they transitioned to the new A-20s which arrived at Port Moresby on 01 February 1944. After completing training, the 386th squadron was back at Gusap, 24 February 1944. On 25 February, they carried out their first A-20 strike to Alexishafen.
Charles was the gunner on a Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432, named Bevo. It was piloted by 2nd Lt. James L. Knarr.
In April 1944 the main target was Hollandia. The 312th Group flew over 700 A-20 sorties during that month. 16 April 1944 became known as "Black Sunday" when three hundred aircraft were sent to bomb & strafe Hollandia airfields and installations. A weather front of severe thunderstorms blocked their path back to their bases at Nadzab, Gusap, and Finchafen and Lae. By the end of the day, 37 aircraft were destroyed or missing, out of fuel, or crashing due to navigational errors and the weather. Most of the planes lost were A-20's and B-25's, forced down near or at Sadior. This was the largest operational losses suffered during World War II. 2 Lt. James L. Knarr was one of three pilots who was able to fly his plane safely to Saidor instead of Gusap that Black Sunday. Read more: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
May 1944 was spent bombing the Japanese around Wewak and after Hollandia was taken, the 60,000 Japanese troops remained along the New Guine coast between Alexishafen and Aitape.
On 12 July 1944 the squadron was moved to the Cyclops Airfield at Hollandia. Their operations were now directed into forward areas of Dutch New Guinea.
On 22 July 1944, twelve A-20s took off from Hollandia Airfield on a mission led by Col. Strauss. At that time it was the longest nonstop flight carried out by the group. The target, a Japanese seaplane base and barge landing at Kokas, Enga, Dutch New Guinea. His Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432 was part of the last flight of three aircraft over the targets, led by Captain Jack W. Klein, with wingman 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson and their aircraft. Approaching from the inland side of the the target, they dropped 250 lbs bombs and strafed gun positions. Their plane was hit by anti-aircraft gunfire and crashed into the sea. The pilot, 1st Lieutenant James L. Knarr (O-797844), on his 70th combat mission and gunner, Staff Sergeant Charles G. Reichley (S/N 13093492), on his 46th, were killed. Lieutenant Knarr was scheduled to complete his tour the following month.
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT (MACR) NO. 16140
ORGANIZATION: Location: APO 565; Group: 312th Bomb Gp; Squadron: 387th Bm Sq Light
DATE: 22 July 1944; Location of last known whereabouts of missing aircraft: Kokas
AIRCRAFT WAS LOST AS A RESULT OF: Enemy Anti-Aircraft
NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT: 2 Crew
Pilot 1st Lt. James L. Knarr 0-797844 - KIA
CP S/Sgt Charles G. Reichley 12 093 492 - KIA
Remarks: Plane shot down by A/A over Kokas.
Photos showed plane on fire and crashing at sea.
*******************************************************************************
The photos taken of the incident and were actually meant to capture the bomb damage. The other A-20s, involved in their own runs and evasive maneuvers were unaware of the fate of this A-20, until the photos of the mission were developed. A series of four photos, taken by another A-20 ahead of it captured the plane's last moments in the air. The A-20 piloted by Capt. Jack W. Klein) that recorded the pictures returned with 128 holes from gunfire. The other A-20 in the photo was Knarr's wingman, 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson, who made it back to base undamaged. These photos were later released to the media and appeared in Yank Magazine and TIME Magazine in support of the war bond drive captioned "Death of an A-20".
*******************************************************************************
14 Area Soldiers Reported Killed In War Theatres
"Fourteen area men have lost their lives fighting in the various war theatres, according to recent War Department announcement…. SSgt. Charles G. Reichley, Sunbury, was killed in the Southwest Pacific…" Source: Harrisburg Telegraph 06 October 1944 › Page 2
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 13093592
387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, Light, 5th Air Force
Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania
Died: 22 July 1944, Bay of Sekar, near Kokas, Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua, Indonesia
Missing in Action
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Son of Grover Berge Reichley (1893-1959) and Martha Edna (Smeltz) Reichley (1895-1956).
He attended Sunbury High School.
1940 US Census: Sunbury (Ward 8), Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Charles G Reichley (18 Pennsylvania)
1940-41 Susquehanna University - Charles G Reichley (1) 614 Market St., Sunbury
Charles G. Reichley (1921 Pennsylvania) a resident of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania enlisted as a Private (S/N 13093592) in the US Army on 19 October 1942 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Charles was married, had completed 2 years of college and was working as a clerk.
He was assigned to the 387th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group.
On 01 November 1943 his unit left San Francisco, California aboard the SS Nieuw Amsterdam. They were heading for Sydney, Australia and then over to Port Moresby. On 31 December 1943 they moved to Gusap, New Guinea. The 312th Group were flying P-40s until January 1944 when they transitioned to the new A-20s which arrived at Port Moresby on 01 February 1944. After completing training, the 386th squadron was back at Gusap, 24 February 1944. On 25 February, they carried out their first A-20 strike to Alexishafen.
Charles was the gunner on a Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432, named Bevo. It was piloted by 2nd Lt. James L. Knarr.
In April 1944 the main target was Hollandia. The 312th Group flew over 700 A-20 sorties during that month. 16 April 1944 became known as "Black Sunday" when three hundred aircraft were sent to bomb & strafe Hollandia airfields and installations. A weather front of severe thunderstorms blocked their path back to their bases at Nadzab, Gusap, and Finchafen and Lae. By the end of the day, 37 aircraft were destroyed or missing, out of fuel, or crashing due to navigational errors and the weather. Most of the planes lost were A-20's and B-25's, forced down near or at Sadior. This was the largest operational losses suffered during World War II. 2 Lt. James L. Knarr was one of three pilots who was able to fly his plane safely to Saidor instead of Gusap that Black Sunday. Read more: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
May 1944 was spent bombing the Japanese around Wewak and after Hollandia was taken, the 60,000 Japanese troops remained along the New Guine coast between Alexishafen and Aitape.
On 12 July 1944 the squadron was moved to the Cyclops Airfield at Hollandia. Their operations were now directed into forward areas of Dutch New Guinea.
On 22 July 1944, twelve A-20s took off from Hollandia Airfield on a mission led by Col. Strauss. At that time it was the longest nonstop flight carried out by the group. The target, a Japanese seaplane base and barge landing at Kokas, Enga, Dutch New Guinea. His Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc light attack bomber, serial number 43-9432 was part of the last flight of three aircraft over the targets, led by Captain Jack W. Klein, with wingman 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson and their aircraft. Approaching from the inland side of the the target, they dropped 250 lbs bombs and strafed gun positions. Their plane was hit by anti-aircraft gunfire and crashed into the sea. The pilot, 1st Lieutenant James L. Knarr (O-797844), on his 70th combat mission and gunner, Staff Sergeant Charles G. Reichley (S/N 13093492), on his 46th, were killed. Lieutenant Knarr was scheduled to complete his tour the following month.
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT (MACR) NO. 16140
ORGANIZATION: Location: APO 565; Group: 312th Bomb Gp; Squadron: 387th Bm Sq Light
DATE: 22 July 1944; Location of last known whereabouts of missing aircraft: Kokas
AIRCRAFT WAS LOST AS A RESULT OF: Enemy Anti-Aircraft
NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AIRCRAFT: 2 Crew
Pilot 1st Lt. James L. Knarr 0-797844 - KIA
CP S/Sgt Charles G. Reichley 12 093 492 - KIA
Remarks: Plane shot down by A/A over Kokas.
Photos showed plane on fire and crashing at sea.
*******************************************************************************
The photos taken of the incident and were actually meant to capture the bomb damage. The other A-20s, involved in their own runs and evasive maneuvers were unaware of the fate of this A-20, until the photos of the mission were developed. A series of four photos, taken by another A-20 ahead of it captured the plane's last moments in the air. The A-20 piloted by Capt. Jack W. Klein) that recorded the pictures returned with 128 holes from gunfire. The other A-20 in the photo was Knarr's wingman, 2nd Lt. Melvin H. Kapson, who made it back to base undamaged. These photos were later released to the media and appeared in Yank Magazine and TIME Magazine in support of the war bond drive captioned "Death of an A-20".
*******************************************************************************
14 Area Soldiers Reported Killed In War Theatres
"Fourteen area men have lost their lives fighting in the various war theatres, according to recent War Department announcement…. SSgt. Charles G. Reichley, Sunbury, was killed in the Southwest Pacific…" Source: Harrisburg Telegraph 06 October 1944 › Page 2
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Pennsylvania.
Family Members
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