| North American B-25J-10-NC Mitchell serial number 43-36128 of 11th Air Force, 28th Bomb Group, 77th Bomb Squadron, based on Attu, Aleutian Islands was lost in action on December 29, 1944. The Pilot of 43-36128 was 1st Lieutenant Douglas E. Banker (1918 – December 29, 1944) enlisted on April 10, 1942, in New York City. A native of Litchfield, Connecticut, Banker was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Co-Pilot 1st Lieutenant John H. Franks (May 26, 1920 – December 29, 1944) enlisted on December 13, 1941, in Fort McPherson, Atlanta. A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Franks was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Engineer Officer Captain Archie L. Cathie (July 26, 1900 – December 29, 1944) joined the Army Air Corps before the war and was promoted to Technical Sergeant in 1940. He served with the 20th Air Base Squadron at Nichols Field, Luzon, Philippines before returning to the United States and was posted to the 28th Bombardment Group. A native of Detroit, Cathie was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He is not pictured, but was aboard 43-36128. Radio Operator Technical Sergeant Frank W. Poplin (1921 – December 29, 1944) enlisted on July 29, 1942, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A native of Mocksville, North Carolina, Poplin was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Assistant Engineer/Gunner Staff Sergeant Michael P. Spillane (1922 – December 29, 1944) enlisted on September 10, 1942, in Fort Francis, East Warren, Cheyenne, Wyoming. A native of Casper, Wyoming, Spillane was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Gunner Private 1st Class William N. Travelbee (1924 – December 29, 1944) enlisted on June 24, 1942, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A native of Muskegon, Michigan, Travelbee was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2191.jpg |
| Image Size | 195.59 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1560 x 1468 |
| Photographer | 77th Bombardment Squadron |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Air Force |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | December 29, 1944 |
| Location | Attu |
| City | Aleutians |
| State or Province | Alaska |
| Country | United States |
| Archive | National Museum of the United States Air Force |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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