Historical Note: The text within this post is an excerpt from the original Army Air Corps or USAAF accident report that was filed shortly after the aircraft disappeared.  These archival reports were typically the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) or Report of Major Accident.  The reports frequently stated the crash site was believed to be “unrecoverable” or “all but impossible to recover”, due to the very remote and rugged terrain where the aircraft crashed.  Employing the services of local tribal guides, I was able to reach and document this crash site.  Without exception, all the sites were very difficult to reach, often involving many days of trekking from the nearest road and multiple river crossings.

C-87 #41-23696
Found 19 Oct 2003

by

C87 #41-23696

On 24 Apr 1943, this aircraft departed Yangkai, China at approx. 1400 CST for its homebase in Chabua, India.  It was assigned to the 1333rd AAF Base Unit, 22nd Ferrying Group, 3rd Ferrying Squadron.

There was no radio contact with this aircraft after take-off in Yangkai.  It did not arrive in Chabua and was listed as missing.  Aerial searches commenced immediately and lasted until 26 May 1943.  The aircraft was not located.  The nature of its loss is unknown.  No further information has become available.  Crew was declared dead.  Dead: 5.

  • Pilot: Capt. Jennings H. Mease, Sr.
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Samuel E. Lunday, Jr.
  • Navigator: 2nd Lt. James M. Jeffrey
  • Radio Operator: SSgt. Elwood E. Stevens
  • Flight Engineer: Pvt. Mervyn E. Sims

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

View the Expedition Notes (PDF)

View the Memorial Services for Pvt. Mervyn E. Sims (PDF)

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C-87 #41-23696 Photo Gallery

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Crash site on grassy slope in background
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage and personal artifacts
Pilot Capt. Jennings H. Mease, Sr.
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Samuel E. Lunday, Jr.
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Samuel E. Lunday, Jr.
Navigator 2nd Lt. James M. Jeffrey
Radio Operator SSgt. Elwood E. Stevens
Flight Engineer Pvt. Mervyn E. Sims
Mervyn's gravestone in Petaluma, CA
Sharon Roloff visiting Mervyn's gravesite in Petaluma
Sharon Roloff visiting Mervyn's gravesite in Petaluma
Commemorative brick for Mervyn at Sun City Veterans Memorial in TX
Historic inn owned by Mervyn's family in Petaluma
Porters at river crossing in northern Burma
Guide and porters departing Ziadum, Burma for crash site
River crossing enroute to Burma - India border
River crossing enroute to Burma - India border
River crossing enroute to Burma - India border
River crossing enroute to Burma - India border
River crossing enroute to Burma - India border
Burma - India border
Guide, porters and Clayton on Burma - India border
Trekking from border towards crash site
Clayton climbing towards crash site
High camp near crash site

C-87 Aircraft Discoveries, Crash Site Reports 2003 to 2010

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Important Notice:​ These MIA missions are mostly self-funded by Clayton Kuhles.  No funding support is received from the US government.  If you believe this is a worthwhile humanitarian project that needs to be pursued, then please visit the Funding page on this website to see how easy it is to support this project in a meaningful manner.  MIA Recoveries, Inc is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Funding donations to MIA Recoveries, Inc are deductible under Section 170 of the Code.  EIN: 45-3174718