World War II Honoree

Russell Andrew Morrison

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

De Leon, Texas

Honored By

Danny Jones

On 1 October 1944, He boarded a U.S. troop carrier plane at Cyclops Aerodrome, near Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea on a flight bound for Finschhaven Airfield, Territory of New Guinea. The aircraft was a Douglas C-47A-DK Skytrain, 42-92062 (Constructors Number 11821 with Nose Number 385), 5th Air Force, 433rd Troop Carrier Group, 70th Troop Carrier Squadron. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadrons was also in the process of moving from Hollandia to Mokmer Airfield, Biak Island, Dutch New Guinea, on that date. Although the weather conditions were good, the plane was not seen or reported, nor did it contact any station after take-off. The next day it was determined that this C-47 had never arrived, and radio messages were relayed to all stations south of Hollandia, that confirmed the plane had not landed or contacted any other stations. At this time the aircraft was declared missing. On 3 October 1944, two C-47 aircraft searched the areas between Hollandia, Humboldt Bay and Hansa Bay, Territory of New Guinea, covering both overland and sea routes. The aircraft each flew for eight hours. All planes in this vicinity were advised of the missing aircraft. On 4 October 1944, two C-47 aircraft searched the inland route to Finschhafen flying ten hours, without results. An intensive search by air and surface craft was made for approximately one week, but no trace of the plane or its occupants were found. All crew and passengers were officially declared dead the day of the mission.